Wednesday, March 14, 2007
I'm Mad!
Madness abounds, as it is March. I just pinned my completed NCAA basketball tournament bracket to the bulletin board by my desk, ready to start marking up my correct (and, possibly, incorrect) picks. It's funny how I don't really pay much attention to college basketball (even BYU) throughout the year, but then when March Madness hits, it becomes an obsession. I suppose I'm not the only person like that, though, so I feel better. Some people go to some unusual lengths. One guy bet $2300 in my office pool.*
Me, I don't bet money, but there is a lot riding on my picks this year. Shelly has beaten me each of the three Marches we've been married so far. She makes her picks based on irrational reasons (well, so do I, but that doesn't make it any better when her irrational picks get the best of mine). It's maddening.**
So I revised my strategy this year and picked a lot fewer upsets. In fact, after filling out my bracket, I took a glance and realized that I hadn't picked a Cinderella (9-16 team in the Sweet 16). So I changed it around and put Illinois in the Sweet 16. I have UCLA beating Georgetown in the championship game, with Wisconsin and Ohio State also in the Final Four. All I want to do is beat Shelly, so my fate will be largely inversely linked to that of UNC, who Shelly picked to win it all, and who I picked to lose to Texas in the Sweet 16. Go Bruins, down with the Tar Heels!***
* My office pool is weird. It's what's called a "Calcutta," where each team is auctioned off to the highest bidder, and winnings are based on how far "your" team goes in the tourney. BYU went for $50, and a first round win is only worth $46. Let's hope that was a good price.
** Pun intended.
*** For no rational reason.
Me, I don't bet money, but there is a lot riding on my picks this year. Shelly has beaten me each of the three Marches we've been married so far. She makes her picks based on irrational reasons (well, so do I, but that doesn't make it any better when her irrational picks get the best of mine). It's maddening.**
So I revised my strategy this year and picked a lot fewer upsets. In fact, after filling out my bracket, I took a glance and realized that I hadn't picked a Cinderella (9-16 team in the Sweet 16). So I changed it around and put Illinois in the Sweet 16. I have UCLA beating Georgetown in the championship game, with Wisconsin and Ohio State also in the Final Four. All I want to do is beat Shelly, so my fate will be largely inversely linked to that of UNC, who Shelly picked to win it all, and who I picked to lose to Texas in the Sweet 16. Go Bruins, down with the Tar Heels!***
* My office pool is weird. It's what's called a "Calcutta," where each team is auctioned off to the highest bidder, and winnings are based on how far "your" team goes in the tourney. BYU went for $50, and a first round win is only worth $46. Let's hope that was a good price.
** Pun intended.
*** For no rational reason.
Comments:
I had completely forgotten to fill in a bracket. Thanks for the reminder!
I have WI, KS, WA and BYU in the final four. (the only way I can remain emotionally invested in March Madness is if BYU stays in, so I have them winning (BYU vs. KS for the championship ;) Here's to positive thinking!
Post a Comment
I have WI, KS, WA and BYU in the final four. (the only way I can remain emotionally invested in March Madness is if BYU stays in, so I have them winning (BYU vs. KS for the championship ;) Here's to positive thinking!
