NCAA basketball time

Once again it's happened. During the regular season I rarely watched even part of a college basketball game. Within the last week, however, the fixation on the NCAA tournament has returned. Watching Syracuse and the charismatic Jonny Flynn during the Big East tournament got it started. Reading a newspaper story about Utah State and watching their determined style was inspiring. Louisville, a passion that bordered on obsession in the 1970's, has emerged as the overall #1 seed and it looks as if they are playing more like a team than they have at any time in recent memory, a tough team. I'm into it, so much so that I'm genuinely looking forward to the Alabama State vs. Morehead State game tonight. Single elimination in this sport always gives a chance for excitement.

This interest is not isolated. In town today doing some errands, I had two conversations, detailed conversations, about the tournament with folks that I know in only a passing way. The first was at the local frame shop as I brought in two paintings to get framed. My salesman had the News open to the brackets, and he sees Pittsburgh as the favorite, with Oklahoma as the spoiler. A healthy North Carolina also intrigues him. Over at the Getty station run by the Fitzpatricks, Boston College is clearly the favorite, on this their special day or any other day. They came within one point of Duke last week and they're on a roll. Asking for some non-partisan choices Connecticut and Xavier were mentioned. From this perspective, if Ty Lawson is healthy North Carolina has to be the overall favorite. Memphis could surprise as when they're hot games are not remotely close. Michigan State is another team with the strength to win. Louisville can do it for sure, but that 63% free throw shooting for the season does not augur well for the kind of close games that the tournament usually brings about.

This will be a nice distraction.