Double Whoop!

Congratulations to the Lady Aggies and their brethren who both won last night in NCAA basketball's first game of the season. Whoop! Way to go, Aggies! Gig 'em!

Tonight's lone NCAA football game features:

     Wake Forest Demon Deacons at NC State Wolfpack

Dog bites man.

Lady Grid out.

The Madness Ends or Begins, Depending on How You Look at It

Roundball
Too much sports? Nah!  We have NCAA tournament action for the women's and men's teams vying for the championship on Sunday and Monday, respectively. Am I crying that UCONN got the boot? Nope. Am I happy that UCONN got the boot from Notre Dame? Push. I've not been a fan of any manner of Notre Dame team since birth. Why change?

• Who wins on Sunday night in Columbus, Ohio? I say the University of South Carolina's feisty Lady Gamecocks edge Notre Dame. At least that is my hope!
• Who wins with Villanova and Kansas? In a battle of number one seeds, I'm going to say that the Wildcats pluck the Jayhawks and return to the championship game in San Antonio.
• Who wins with Loyola-Chicago and Michigan? I'm a little terrified to go against Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, so I'm going to say the Ramblers top the Wolverines in grand style.

MLB
Thursday meant Opening Day. The Lady is happy to see the boys of summer in action. My husband knows to turn the telly on to MLB Network after dinner. Let's turn our attention to today's lineup after I cheer for my Rangers beating the 'Stros last night. Woot!

1. Pittsburgh at Detroit
2. St. Louis at NY Mets
3. Washington at Cincinnati
4. Houston at Texas
5. LA Angels at Oakland
6. NY Yankees at Toronto - I am so unhappy that my Big G is now on the team with the Judge.
7. Cleveland at Seattle
8. Boston at Tampa bay
9. Minnesota at Baltimore
10. Philadelphia at Atlanta
11. ChiCubs at Miami - being realistic.
12. ChiSox at Kansas City - never the Royals unless they play a team I dislike more than them.
13. Colorado at Arizona
14. Milwaukee at San Diego
15. San Francisco at LA Dodgers - Let's go, Dodgers!

Lady Grid out.

Selection Sunday Time

My UNC Tarheels avenged their last week's loss to Duke last night. Beat the Cavaliers of Virginia! I will be watching for the bracket to be revealed. Usually we have school during this second full week of March and have just ended our spring break. I round up sporty kids who watch basketball with me during lunch. It's a tradition. This year I will be in my den with the telly on enjoying some hoops. And you know it'll be on in my bedroom as I walk around the house taking care of dusting, laundry folding, or baking.

Lady Grid out.

Last Sunday of November 2017

The hubby and I attended our church's second worship service this morning. We weren't moving about too quickly, and that is okay. Here is the wrap up for yesterday's games.

1. Georgia vs. Georgia Tech
2. Oklahoma vs. West Virginia 
3. Clemson vs. South Carolina
4. Texas A&M vs. LSU 
5. Ohio State vs. Michigan
6. Boise State vs. Fresno State - tut tut!
7. Appalachian State vs. Georgia State
8. Washington State vs. Washington
9. Alabama vs. Auburn - so thrilled to be wrong! 👍
10. Notre Dame vs. Stanford - I dislike the Fighting Irish, so this one was good news, too! 👍

Now, on to Aggie round ball business!

The ladies play the Texas Tech Lady Red Raiders this afternoon. My son and I are on opposite sides of the fence. Gig 'em, Aggies! Whoop! Aggies win, I predict. 

The men play the USC Trojans tonight. My Daddy and I are on opposing sides for this game. I love both teams so much that I will be pleased with the outcome, I guess. Push.

Lady Grid out.

A Magical Monday

Tourney Talk

Congratulations to the South Carolina Lady Gamecocks on their win over the Mississippi State Lady Bulldogs in the NCAA Tournament last night. Now they can celebrate and rest before preparations begin to defend their title.

I am still pulling for UNC tonight.

MLB

It's Opening Day for real. Yesterday was nice to see the boys of summer get a head start and especially to see the Yankees lose. Now on to today's matchups with the bulk being day games.

1. Atlanta at NY Mets
2. Miami at Washington - Giancarlo goes yard!
3. Pittsburgh at Boston
4. Colorado at Milwaukee
5. Toronto at Baltimore
6. San Diego at LA Dodgers
7. Detroit at ChiSox
8. Kansas City at Minnesota
9. Philadelphia at Cincinnati
10. Cleveland at Texas
11. Seattle at Houston
12. LA Angels at Oakland

Lady Grid out.

Championship Time!

How about that? An all-SEC Women's National Championship tomorrow night. I have no dog in the race since I just knew the Huskies would roll on without a defeat. Now they know how it feels to lose a game and to play a tight game. It's a good lesson. Mississippi State and South Carolina face off, and I hope it's a good game. Congratulations in advance to the winner of the game.

The Gonzaga Bulldogs face off against my UNC Tarheels on Monday night. I've been a Tarheels fan for at least twenty-five years since my tenure as a young teacher in Abilene. I just liked them for some reason and took a strong dislike to Duke down Tobacco Road. Now I have one of my favorite underdogs facing my all-time favorite NCAA Men's team (aside from my beloved Texas A&M Aggies!). I want my Tarheels to redeem themselves from last year's heartbreaking buzzer beater against Villanova. Go Tarheels! Frank Isola of Around the Horn fame is the only panelist who picked UNC in the finals to win it.

Lady Grid out.

Elite Eight Time

I must confess that I am glad UCLA lost last night to Kentucky. Lonzo Ball's dad kept his name and his son's name in the press with all of that noise and ring. Now the young man will enter the draft and forfeit his college education for the NBA draft. Sigh. One and done sickens me, but I cannot control someone else's life.

Here is my best bracket so far for the men's tournament.

Here is my best bracket for the women's tournament.

Lady Grid out.

Madness Descends Soon!

Next week begins March Madness, the time of year when college basketball teams battle for supremacy. Will Villanova repeat? They broke my heart last year with the buzzer beater shot that crushed my UNC Tar Heels. Brackets get firmed up this weekend, and we'll see how things play out. Meanwhile, I think I'll enjoy championship week.

One NFL note (or two!) to report. Tony Romo will be released by the Dallas Cowboys with the caveat that he not go to an NFC East rival. I would prefer that Tony retire with his health intact. Wherever he lands must have a solid O-line to protect his increasingly fragile bones. I know he has the heart to compete; however, his body cannot guarantee the check his competitiveness is writing. Brandon Marshall signed with the NY Giants. Where will Adrian Peterson land?

Lady Grid out.

Rest in Peace, Coach Summitt

It is a sad day for women's basketball today because Coach Pat Summitt succumbed to Alzheimers. I became a fan after seeing a segment about her on Sixty Minutes. That icy glare from the court side would have been enough to freeze me in my tracks. I cheered for the Lady Vols every year after that as well as my Lady Aggies. The only time I don't root for the Lady Vols is when they play my Lady Aggies. My sincerest condolences and prayers are for her family and close friends. Rest in peace, Coach.

Monday Wrap-Up

1. LA Dodgers at Pittsburgh
2. Texas at NY Yankees
3. NY Mets at Washington
4. Cleveland at Atlanta
5. ChiCubs at Cincinnati
6. BoSox at Tampa Bay
7. St. Louis at Kansas City
8. Toronto at Colorado
9. Philadelphia at Arizona
10. Houston at LA Angels
11. Oakland at San Francisco - Bay Battle

Tuesday

1. Rangers at Yankees
2. Mets at Nationals
3. Marlins at Tigers
4. Indians at Braves
5. Cubs at Reds
6. Red Sox at Rays
7. Twins at White Sox
8. Dodgers at Brewers
9. Cardinals at Royals
10. Blue Jays at Rockies
11. Phillies at Diamondbacks
12. Astros at Angels
13. Pirates at Mariners
14. Orioles at Padres
15. Athletics at Giants

Soccer

European Championship

Italy vs. Spain - loss

England vs. Iceland - loss

It appears that Cinderella lives in Reykjavik, Iceland. That team just will not quit. Good luck! Gangi pér vel.

One final note to add since you know I keep a positive attitude. This one negative statement must be made: I hate Alzheimers, and I hate cancer.

Lady Grid out.

Tourney Weekend!

NCAA Tournaments

April 2 - Men's Final Four

Villanova vs. Oklahoma
Syracuse vs. UNC

April 3 - Women's Final Four

Oregon State vs. UCONN
Washington vs. Syracuse

I know the Orange want to do the 2013-2014 UCONN Men's and Women's championship celebration dance and cut the nets. It will not happen, in my humble opinion. I have been wrong before. I mention my picks for the brand new MLB season tomorrow. No fooling.

Lady Grid out.

Oh Well!

Now that both the men's and women's basketball teams are out of the tournaments, I can watch a little more dispassionately. I created a Second Chance Tournament Bracket on ESPN, and none of them are perfect, but one is at the ninety-seven percentage mark. Woohoo!

Today we have the beginning of the Elite Eight. I am picking the following teams for today's games:

1. Kansas over Villanova
2. Oregon over Oklahoma

Tomorrow's picks are UNC over Notre Dame and UVA over Syracuse. The Orange wrecked my world by upsetting Gonzaga in my second chance bracket. Yergh.  C'est la vie. It's all for fun anyway, and no I am still not Vegas-bound!

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For the women's tournament, I pick UCONN, Baylor, and Oregon State from my best bracket. I had throught BYU would be playing. Oops. If I have to pick between UCLA and Texas, I really prefer to push since neither team is a favorite. Okay, okay. Bruins edge the Lady Horns.

Lady Grid out.

Aggies and the Pros

Collegiate Hoops

Not the Razorbacks! Ugh. My Texas A&M Aggies mens' basketball team ran out of time against the Arkansas Razorbacks 74-71. Ugh.

My Lady Aggies take on the Alabama Crimson Tide on Thursday evening. Gig 'em, Aggies!

Professional Hoops

Cleveland won against Phoenix! Good job, LBJ and company.
Boston prevailed over Denver.
Golden State notched a win over Dallas. At least the Mavericks were only 20 points behind at the end.
The Los Angeles Clippers edged Atlanta with a score of 85-83.

I know this is not the sport for it, but a Yellow Flag of Shame to Blake Griffin for injuring his hand in a fight with the team equipment manager. Maybe I can charge him with a technical for a nonsensical decision. Oy vey!

A Passing NFL Note

Could we be "seeing double" with the Gronkowski family? The youngest brother Glenn, a standout at KSU, planned to meet the Patriots this evening. Hmm. . .

Lady Grid out.

#22

My condolences and sympathies to the family and close friends of Lauren Hill. She showed us all how to live in the face of an unrelenting opponent. I was saddened to learn of her passing and had relished every bit of time she had.

Lady Grid out.

What a Finish!

Apparently, Cinderella wears Spartan Green and is from Michigan State. Their overtime victory against Louisville is now one for the record books. I sort of wish I'd had my crystal ball out before making my predictions.  Och, well! Congratulations to Michigan State, Duke University, University of Kentucky, and Wisconsin for making it the Final Four.  Good luck in your games on Saturday.

For the men's tournament, I am seventy-five percent correct on my Final Four pronouncement for my best brackets created.  For the women's tournament, I have the first two correctly picked with South Carolina lined up against Notre Dame.  The results of tonight's games will let me know if my other two picks are spot on. Good luck to Tennessee, Maryland, UCONN, and Dayton. I wonder if it will mirror the men's results with one number seven seed surprising the odds makers but not themselves with their tenacity. It remains to be seen.

Six days remain until true baseball fever takes over the nation. My Rangers were downed by the Dodgers in a 10-5 trouncing yesterday. Just let the season begin so we can see how things will be with the new manager, Jeff Banister. Russell Wilson hit a HR in batting practice, and Derek Holland is feeling healthy. Can Russell please join the team? He's good at this sport, too.

In sobering news, the Seattle Mariners' prospect Victor Sanchez died due to injuries that occurred while boating in his native Venezuela. My condolences to the grieving family and friends of this twenty-year old young man.

Lady Grid out.

Bracket Busters!

What do Baylor, Iowa State, SMU, Oklahoma State, and VCU have in common? They broke my brackets this weekend. At press time, I was awaiting the results of the Providence-Dayton game which is still playing past my bedtime. It wasn't looking good for the Friars.

In the NCAA Women’s Tournament, George Washington, Minnesota, Washington, and Northwestern are my deal breakers for the first day of action. I hope that tomorrow will give some better results. It’s all about bragging rights in my family anyway. Gig’em, Lady Aggies! Whoop!

Yes, other sports besides collegiate basketball are playing their seasons right now.

My Texas Rangers suffered a loss to the LA Dodgers in Cactus League play. Dodgers pitching ace Clayton Kershaw will have to pay a trip to the dentist after getting part of his tooth broken off. Ouch! The Rangers also managed a tie against the Seattle Mariners. Will wonders never cease? The Miami Marlins and the NY Yankees are tied for the lead in the Grapefruit League. Opening Day is a little over two weeks away. National pastime, here we come!

Dallas suffered a home loss against the visiting Grizzlies tonight. They are 24-12 at home.  Zach Randolph was the high scorer for the Grizzlies’ squad.  Dirk Nowitzki and Devis Harris each contributed 16 points for Dallas.   OKC won against the Hawks, and Kevin Durant’s expected return is not known due to his injuries this season. The defending champs beat the Celtics at the AT&T Center, extending their 26-8 home record. 

It's time to turn in for the night. Lady Grid out.

Let the Games Begin!

I have made my selections for the men's and women's tournament brackets using ESPN.  I make more than one just in case. Here are my "official" brackets for viewing purposes only.  I tend to fare better with NFL post-season predictions than with NCAA roundball, but it's fun to guess anyway.

The Women's tournament begins second, but I am opting to show ladies first.

Now, here's the men's tournament bracket.

I'm sure the guys at PTI and the folks at Around the Horn will differ on some of their choices once we see their brackets.  Don't laugh too hard at my choices.  It's a roll of the dice, as you know.  Lady Grid out.

Crazy Times Ahead

The Texas Rangers' ace Yu Darvish will have Tommy John surgery and miss the season. If they knew that he needed the surgery, why wasn't this planned last September instead of in the middle of spring training? I marvel at surgeries that occur right as a season begins. I cover my eyes and reach for a bag with eye holes. Oh, the shame! Now for some good news.  The Rangers have a 6-4 record for the moment after blanking the SF Giants in Cactus League play. C'mon, Derek Holland! Three more weeks until Opening Day.  Who on Earth decided that the Chicago Cubs, the oft-maligned and ridiculed ChiTown franchise, would host the St. Louis Cardinals on national television? Let the trouncing begin.

If all goes according to Coach Kelly's plans, we should play the song "Strange Magic" as his genius plan unfolds during the regular season.  Otherwise, he will have memes like this one generated with increasingly rude results.

Jaw-dropper moment:  Duke lost to Notre Dame, 74-64.  Can you believe it? Yes, of course, the Blue Devils will be in the NCAA Tournament, but the fact that they started out flatfooted gives naysayers a wee bit of hope. Selection Sunday is here tomorrow, and I will reveal my choices once I sit down and plot my strategy. Unfortunately, I sometimes flip a coin to decide who's going to be Cinderella at the big dance. Each year, one or more lower-seeded teams completely destroy my bracket.  I maintain at least two or three for both the men's and women's tournaments. Soon you'll see who I selected. Very soon. Lady Grid out.

A Little Roundball Chit-Chat

It looks like Kyrie Irving had a banner night against the Trailblazers.  Congrats on the 55 points. He was the man on fire last night.

Notre Dame beat Duke just days after Coach K notched his 1,000th win.  I know the Blue Devils won't let this keep them down.

Unranked Georgia Tech took down Miami while Purdue showed up Indiana. Not bad, not bad at all.

In women's hoops, the always formidable UCONN annihilated poor ECU.  Sorry, Lady Pirates!

Lady Grid out.

Midweek Musings

The top-ranked Kentucky Wildcats are all smiles since they managed to edge Ole Miss by three points last night. Congratulations.  My Aggies have some work to complete after being downed by the Crimson Tide on the hardwood with a disappointing 65-44 score.  Ugh. It’s good to see that Villanova is on the right track after their 90-72 win over St. John’s.  Perhaps the Red Storm will have more success when they play the Providence Friars on week from tonight. So far, they’re 0-3 in the Big East.

The only top-25 game in women's hoops had number five Baylor trouncing Big 12 rival Kansas State 74-44.  What a drubbing!

The Pistons rallied past the Spurs; my son will be unhappy about that. Oh well, we can’t always have the results we want in sporting events.  Maybe the Spurs will eclipse the Phoenix Suns on Friday evening.

Lady Grid out.

UCONN All the Way - Ugh.

I wasn't happy to see the end results of the men's and women's basketball championships this week.  Congratulations to the UCONN teams, but I wanted someone else to win.  C'est la vie.  It's baseball watching time anyway.

Diamond Time

1. Josh Hamilton is out for several weeks.  Sorry, Angels!
2. The Red Sox beat the Texas Rangers 4-2 today thanks to Big Papi's three run homer.  Ugh.
3. Cleveland and San Diego split their double header, and the Reds blanked St. Louis.  St. Louis losing is always good news.
4. I agree with OF Adam Jones that fans belong in the stands during games.  This storming the field or court that is all the rage needs to stop. Now.  Someone will be hurt, and it won't be good for anyone.  

Lady Grid out.