Yes, the Duge master is still beating up on everyone. Good job, Duge master. Blah, blah, blah… Who cares? Today, there’s a little more at stake than our brackets. Today, IU has a shot at moving on.
I am not sure about you, but this is a very big deal for me. I went to IU. I studied at IU. I pledged at IU. I worked at IU. I played at IU. I fell in love at IU (a bunch of times). :-) I graduated from IU…3 times. I guest lectured at IU. I recruited from IU. Two of my brothers graduated from IU. My sister graduated from IU. Most of my friends are... from IU. Indiana University is a BIG deal for me.
I was at IU when IU was a basketball school. We won consistently. When we beat Syracuse and won the national title in ’87, I remember taking a step back and trying to soak it all in. …trying to savor the moment. …trying to burn it into my memory so I would never forget the feeling. I remember being happy for fellas on the team…my good friends (Keith Smart, Dean Garret, Ricky Calloway, Daryl Thomas and others). I remember the moment I realized things like that (winning a national title) don’t happen all the time. It was IU’s 5th championship…but I realized it needed to be cherished. I realized it might never happen again.
It’s been 25 years since we won the championship. In those 25 years, lots of things have happened. We made a couple of runs in the 90’s but fell short. In 2002, we upset no.1, undefeated Duke and went on to play for the national title against Maryland. I remember talking to my buddies (IU guys watching the game with me) about how this doesn’t happen all the time….about how lucky we were to be in the championship…about how many students, alums, fans, etc., never get to experience a championship or even playing for a championship. It’s special…and it doesn’t happen for everyone.
In the last 25 years, we (IU) have had a number of seasons when we did not even make the tournament. We were not one of the top 64 teams in the country. Yes, we WERE a basketball school…a long time ago…but not anymore. Now we may be better known for our music department. So, when I saw my Hoosiers playing well early this season, I wondered... I wondered if they had it in them. I wondered if they could beat a team that was good. Then I watched them beat no. 1 ranked, undefeated Kentucky. …and I, like everyone else, screamed with joy. Then I quietly thought to myself, “We’re back.” I then watched that same team beat the no. 2 ranked team and the no. 5 ranked team. I (also) watched our losses to lesser opponents like Nebraska and Minnesota…but I remained hopeful.
Once we entered this year’s tournament, I filled out my bracket. I guessed IU would win 2 games. They’ve done that. Thank you IU…and congratulations. You have met my expectations and you’ve probably exceeded the expectations of a lot of folks. Good job. Even though logic tells me Kentucky will beat my Hoosiers tonight, it is difficult to wrap my brain around that. I always say, “pick logically…but cheer emotionally." Well, today, I am full of emotions. Logic has not factored in. Go IU! Beat Kentucky…again!
The Commissioner!
Ps. I am at Chevron (my client) today. I am the only one sitting in this very corporate environment wearing a t-shirt. …and my t-shirt says INDIANA!!!!!!!
Friday, March 23, 2012
Monday, March 19, 2012
The Dilemma
Well, the first weekend is over. The Hoosiers survived…Duke lost. Who would have thought?
The Duge master sits alone in first place. Congratulations, Duge master…but it ain’t over ‘til it’s over. Lots of basketball still left to be played. Lots! …and who is that standing right behind you in 2nd place? That’s right…it’s me, The Commissioner! The other two guys who are tied for 2nd are on a very slow downward spiral. They’ll continue to fall. Just wait and see.
As we all know, you make your picks logically but you cheer, emotionally. I think we can all agree on that. Right? So, it does not surprise me that many of you have chosen Kentucky to win the whole thing. Logical choice… The dilemma is that Kentucky plays Indiana on Friday. Hummmmmmmm… Interesting. We all want Indiana to win…but at what cost? :-) I love it. If Indiana can upset Kentucky again (and it is possible), then not only will I be happy for my Hoosiers but 10 of you will fall to pieces with shattered brackets. I can hear those brackets crumbling now. :-)
I know what your brackets say…but come on and do the right thing: CHEER for the Hoosiers! You didn’t really expect to win this pool anyway…did you?
Go IU!
The Commissioner!
The Duge master sits alone in first place. Congratulations, Duge master…but it ain’t over ‘til it’s over. Lots of basketball still left to be played. Lots! …and who is that standing right behind you in 2nd place? That’s right…it’s me, The Commissioner! The other two guys who are tied for 2nd are on a very slow downward spiral. They’ll continue to fall. Just wait and see.
As we all know, you make your picks logically but you cheer, emotionally. I think we can all agree on that. Right? So, it does not surprise me that many of you have chosen Kentucky to win the whole thing. Logical choice… The dilemma is that Kentucky plays Indiana on Friday. Hummmmmmmm… Interesting. We all want Indiana to win…but at what cost? :-) I love it. If Indiana can upset Kentucky again (and it is possible), then not only will I be happy for my Hoosiers but 10 of you will fall to pieces with shattered brackets. I can hear those brackets crumbling now. :-)
I know what your brackets say…but come on and do the right thing: CHEER for the Hoosiers! You didn’t really expect to win this pool anyway…did you?
Go IU!
The Commissioner!
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Indiana Moves On...
“Indiana, our Indiana
Indiana, we're all for you!
We will fight for the cream and crimson
For the glory of old IU
Never daunted, we cannot falter
In the battle, we're tried and true
Indiana, our Indiana,
Indiana we're all for you! I-U!”
Congratulations to my HOOSIERS!
The DUGE master and Jimmy Graves Sr. are at the top of our pool. manuel_larue is in 3rd. Yours truly, the Commissioner, is in 4th place today...sticking distance!
Come on Indiana! Beat Kentucky...again! …that will take care of 10 brackets for me. :-)
The Commissioner!
Indiana, we're all for you!
We will fight for the cream and crimson
For the glory of old IU
Never daunted, we cannot falter
In the battle, we're tried and true
Indiana, our Indiana,
Indiana we're all for you! I-U!”
Congratulations to my HOOSIERS!
The DUGE master and Jimmy Graves Sr. are at the top of our pool. manuel_larue is in 3rd. Yours truly, the Commissioner, is in 4th place today...sticking distance!
Come on Indiana! Beat Kentucky...again! …that will take care of 10 brackets for me. :-)
The Commissioner!
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Madness!!!!
Missouri…out! Duke…out! Gotta love it! This is why we watch the tournament.
Jimmy Graves, Sr. is in sole possession of first place. Looking good Big Jim…
The Duge Master and Carl are in second. Carl, I don’t think you’ve ever been up this high. You're probably feeling the effects of the altitude. How are you? Are you nervous? Maybe a little nauseous? Don’t worry. I’m sure you’re drop pretty soon…and then things will be back to normal. Trust me. You don't have staying power.
Cam Jae, manuel_larue and ill21will are hoovering around the top. Will, I’m happy for you. You’ve been trying for years…and you have sucked for years. Good job so far this year. I know we’re still in the first weekend, but so far so good.
Cam, did you really complete your own bracket. I always have a question mark around your participation in this pool. I may launch an investigation to find to what’s really happening here. If there is anything you want to tell me, please do so immediately. I know you're only 7 years old but once the investigation starts I can’t help you.
Before the tournament began, I received at least two e-mails from kgraves766. I guess talkin’ smack before the first game can come back to bite you. How does 22 place feel?
Speaking of 22nd place, hello Jerome Bone and Big Tex! I hope you guys realize the only ones you’re beating are the Guinea Pig twins. Sad.
Go HOOSIERS!!
The Commissioner!
Jimmy Graves, Sr. is in sole possession of first place. Looking good Big Jim…
The Duge Master and Carl are in second. Carl, I don’t think you’ve ever been up this high. You're probably feeling the effects of the altitude. How are you? Are you nervous? Maybe a little nauseous? Don’t worry. I’m sure you’re drop pretty soon…and then things will be back to normal. Trust me. You don't have staying power.
Cam Jae, manuel_larue and ill21will are hoovering around the top. Will, I’m happy for you. You’ve been trying for years…and you have sucked for years. Good job so far this year. I know we’re still in the first weekend, but so far so good.
Cam, did you really complete your own bracket. I always have a question mark around your participation in this pool. I may launch an investigation to find to what’s really happening here. If there is anything you want to tell me, please do so immediately. I know you're only 7 years old but once the investigation starts I can’t help you.
Before the tournament began, I received at least two e-mails from kgraves766. I guess talkin’ smack before the first game can come back to bite you. How does 22 place feel?
Speaking of 22nd place, hello Jerome Bone and Big Tex! I hope you guys realize the only ones you’re beating are the Guinea Pig twins. Sad.
Go HOOSIERS!!
The Commissioner!
Friday, March 16, 2012
Day One Recap
First of all, let me say I am happy to see 26 competitors this year. Thanks for joining the fun.
After Day One, it looks like we have a 3-way tie for first place: Jimmy Graves, Sr., The Duge Master and Carl. Congratulations guys. Good job. Now…what the hell is a “Duge Master?” Anyway…let’s move on.
Momma Graves72, we’re all happy to see that you are not in last place…yet. There’s still time. I’m sure you won’t have any problems regaining your position bringing up the rear.
Jordan and Jernie... Shame on you... If I recall correctly, five years ago you two filled out a bracket together. You were so bad that I suggested that you consult your guinea pig for better picks. A few years later, Jernie actually won. Now…we’re back to guinea pig picks. Sad, sad, sad…
Let’s see what Day Two brings!
The Commissioner!
After Day One, it looks like we have a 3-way tie for first place: Jimmy Graves, Sr., The Duge Master and Carl. Congratulations guys. Good job. Now…what the hell is a “Duge Master?” Anyway…let’s move on.
Momma Graves72, we’re all happy to see that you are not in last place…yet. There’s still time. I’m sure you won’t have any problems regaining your position bringing up the rear.
Jordan and Jernie... Shame on you... If I recall correctly, five years ago you two filled out a bracket together. You were so bad that I suggested that you consult your guinea pig for better picks. A few years later, Jernie actually won. Now…we’re back to guinea pig picks. Sad, sad, sad…
Let’s see what Day Two brings!
The Commissioner!
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