I love basketball. I really love March and basketball.
This past weekend was the annual sloth fest of watching as much hoops as possible. The NCAA Tournament is what the world calls it, but it goes by a much cooler nickname, which is March Madness.
64 teams (I don’t care about those other four because I am old school) crammed into three weeks of insane drama. Back in the day I would probably watch 80% of the coverage and that is without PVR or live streaming. But since becoming a parent, the new norm is reading about games, seeing highlight packs and tuning in for the last five minutes of a game. The other 35 minutes are not as important as Thomas the Train.
The tourney brings out the best and worst of coaches, players and teams. The mistakes and bone-headed plays make it real. It’s not a pro game where execution happens 95% of the time. I love the flaws.
It is all unpredictable (see my brackets for proof), it is heart-warming, it sparks arguments and it rallies people together. This sounds a lot like a family. This past weekend, on top of buzzer beaters, Furious 7 commercials and way too much of Charles Barkley, our family was separated into our own version of the Final Four, with each trying to survive the day.
I am not sure if it was the change of seasons, the warm,cold, warm, cold weather thing we got going on, or maybe the Madness just taking over. But in our house, it was like an old-school slug fest like they used to have in the Big East Tournament.
Everyone was tired, everyone was on edge and everyone wanted things to go their way at the buzzer.
Katie and I of course are a team without question and it seemed like we were on opposite sides of the bracket. We wanted to get to the Final Two, where things would be calm and go back to normal. But we were pitted against two opponents who were ready for a tussle.
Man what I would have given for TV timeouts or the change to diagram plays that would be followed through on. It seemed like no matter what we were doing, we were just getting on each other’s nerves.
Charlie started sleeping in his crib without the rail. This of course opened his world fully. He now gets up, opens the door and leaves the room.
Harry got some new hama beads, but he can only seem to enjoy on his own when Katie is not around.
I can’t drink beer and not snore all night.
Katie due to a lot of this is just plain tired and can’t fully function as she would like.
Saturday and Sunday felt like we were playing a never-ending game against the Kentucky Wildcats.
It was not until about 9:30 pm last night where we acknowledged that we made it. We survived the onslaught of boys.
Katie and I advanced to the Final Two.
There was no net cutting or branded hats. There was quiet. Well until I snored again after the lights went out.
I love basketball. I really love March and basketball.
I really, really, really love March and basketball and my family.
Other Notes From The Opening Weekend
- When I see the ad for NCAA.com, I can’t help but laugh at the fact that the webmasters earn more than the players.
- Wow Furious 7 ads.
- The guy falling off his stool was the best thing I have seen so far.
- My brackets are in the shitter thanks to Iowa State.
- How many more ways can they say Louisville?
- Michigan State beating Virginia was the easiest pick I made.
- Still wondering what a Bearcat is?
- Pangos is the new Steve Nash, hair and all.
- Love Jack Armstrong’s chair height. Looks like he is blasting off.
- Pulled pork and #PlayterMadness was a fun time. Lone Star is a legend.
- Harry learned how to keep score and gave me constant reports.
- Tom Izzo. Coaching God.
- I was pulling for Harvard.
- I am thankful there is not a Wendy’s within walking distance of our house.
- LET’S GO LOUISVILLE.
Oh, are you wondering who would win the title game between Katie and I? It is a good question. Like I said, we are a team, so it really doesn’t matter. As long as we can stay ahead of the boys, all will be good.
I can’t wait for another One Shining Moment.
