Suite life

Erin and I are in Cleveland for the Final Four. We went to practices today and were able to get tickets without a problem.

We watched LSU, Rutgers and Tennessee. Go Rutgers.

Then, we checked in to our hotel, which is suites only and has a complimentary cocktail hour.

I LOVE VACATION!

Go Scarlet Knights

A long, long time ago in a state I like to call Iowa, I covered women's basketball. When I was part-time/full-time sports writer at the Iowa City paper, I was lucky enough to go to Atlanta to cover the Hawkeyes in the Final Four. I think I was about 23, which seems like a lifetime ago now. Vivian Stringer was the coach at Iowa back then.

The Hawkeyes lost in the semifinals by a point after a late turnover by Laurie Aaron. That part sucked. But the next day, Sheryl Swoops scored a record 47 points to lead Texas Tech to the championship. It was the first time the women's Final Four sold out. It has done so every year since.

I will be attending my 10th women's Final Four this weekend in Cleveland. Stringer will be coaching Rutgers. It is her fourth Final Four as a coach.



C. Viv at some importannt event honoring women

men's final four set

Buckeyes are in... Erin is thrilled. If G'town and UCLA play for the title and the Bruins come out on top I have a chance to make a little extra cash.

The women's Final Four will be set over the next two days -- go Rutgers. C. Viv gettin' it done.

Roger that

My uncle sent me an email to day with a photo of this awesome autographed ball. I think he is trying to make me jealous of his cool sports stuff. Perhaps he is unaware of my close to 100 pennants, collected on our many trips around the country.


Although Roger Staubach is not as cool as the greatest Cowboy ever, TONY DORSETT, anything associated with the Cowboys is pretty freaking cool.

Lobo love

In proof that God does love me, ESPN.com reports that Steve Alford will be leaving Iowa for New Mexico. A shame. That guy, I mean coach, had brought nothing but shame to the Hawkeyes basketball team since the Pierre Pierce fiasco. To say I dislike Alford would be a little like saying the Beatles were a popular band.

Good riddance former Indiana point guard and Bob Knight-alike, and don't let the door hit you.

How about we get back Dr. Tom (who retired from Drake today)?

Where's the free food?

I used to always say the only reason I became a sports writer was for the free food. I hardly ever get out in the field anymore, since I mostly do editing. But yesterday, I covered the women's NCAA Tournament.

I was pretty excited to see the basketball but I was also looking forward to a day of grazing on free food in the media room.

I talked to one of my columnists earlier in the week who was at men's NCAA Tournament site. He said they had Snickers and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and Dove Ice Cream bars.

We got chips and pop. Lame.


This?


Or this?

I am No. 2

I got all 16 games right in my office pool on the first day of the NCAA Tournament. The second day -- not so hot. Arkansas, a favorite because my sister's family lives there and my niece has a pink Razorbacks sweatshirt, did me wrong. No 5-12 upset this tournament. Bites.

And, it is snowing again. Will winter never end?

Drinking and dribbling

It's St. Paddy's week. A reminder that anything made with corned beef and beer is good for you. Erin was kind enough to make me some corned beef and cabbage soup today. The recipe called for 12 onces of beer. Awesome.



***

It's tournament time. Men's draw was today. Although certain people in this house would like to see the No. 1 seeded Buckeyes go all the way I am pretty sure the basketball team's fate will be the same as football. My upstart pick to at least make the Sweet 16, Nevada. OK, I'm a little partial. I also like Georgetown.




***

Women's tournament draw at is at 8 tonight. No. 1 seeds, Duke, North Carolina for sure. Ohio State lost in the Big Ten Tournament Championship, likely a No. 2, but who knows? And traditionally, Tennessee and UConn also have a chance at No. 1 seeds.

***

Is there more tho March than beer and basketball? What?

what a waste

They found the body parts of a woman who has been missing since Feb. 9 at a park where I frenquently ride my bike. Her husband has confessed to the killing and it has been all over the local and national news.

The sadest part is this woman, Tara Lynn Grant, had two kids. Now they have no mom, and dad is going to prison for life. My heart goes out to their family.

That sucks.



A few people have said she looks like me.

nice weather

The day started with an inch of snow which has since deteriorated to rain. The deluge was so bad at times I thought that Noah would have to build an ark in the backyard. I guess it's worse in Minnesota, where I've heard tell of Interstate closings because of the storm.

The worst part about it? I just got these cool new sunglasses -- can't wear them with no sun.