Greetings from the Hoodwood where reports of remote meltdowns and burnouts are widespread.

I don’t know who was the person who thought up having the NCAA on four different networks but I hope he has a corner office by now. I’m not gonna lie, I am so loving the concept. Forget whiparounds, forget starting one game and having portions of the country drop out. If you want to follow one team that’s not local to you, you can. If you want to ignore a team, like I do with UK and Ohio State. You can. I love this concept and hope this is a staple of March for years to come. Though I think remote burnouts and meltdowns like you see with me will be prevelant.

 To start out let me sing a verse or two from the R&B singer Anita Baker…this song is dedicated to a certain team

 I apologize…believe me. I apologize…honest. Cause I know I was wrong...thats why I'm singing this song... I know I cant sing, I got cut from the choir in the 6th grade and again from the UC Choir (I was chasing a girl, dont ask)

 I will be among the masses of so-called experts that was ragging on the selection committee for its inclusion of VCU in the field that are now offering up a mea culpa. The Rams just smashed a trio of teams to get to the Sweet 16 and have more than justified their entry in the field. Oh and Im just waiting for the speculation about their head coach Shaka Smart being coveted by different big name schools (Tennessee and Providence are a pair of schools that come to mind)

After the first weekend, its been just what you expect, a few routs here and there. But more often than not the games have been tight tense and thrilling. Morehead State knocking off an overrated Louisville. And the arrogant Rick Pitino getting his comeuppance. I enjoyed watching Pitino looking very uncomfortable as a guest analyst.

The crafty Richmond Spiders proving that they earned the auto bid from the A-10 in beating Vandy. Jimmer Fredette being all that was advertised in getting BYU to the 2^nd weekend for the first time in 30 years.

Though it pains me to remember, the continued sustained excellent play of Connecticut’s Kemba Walker who has been carrying the Huskies for the past two or three weeks has been a highlight of the tourney. He was the reason why my beloved Bearcats have been ousted from the tourney.

I was a bit dismayed by the squawking over the end of the Pitt-Butler game though. The focus should not have been on the refs who got the last two calls right and I give dap to for rightly not swallowing their whistles. The focus should have been on why Shelvin Mack was fouling Gilbert Brown 45 feet from the hoop or what Nassir Robinson was thinking going after the rebound on the missed free throw and fouling Matt Howard who made the winning free throw.

 Lay off the Big East

I will admit that I am a Big East fan, and am a Cincinnati grad. I was also one that was adamant that that the league didn’t deserve 11 bids, but found it ironic that the 11^th team Marquette was one of the two surviving teams. Im annoyed by the collective potshots being taken by the media (thankfully man-gina Colin Cowherd was not on the air to whine about it on Monday) about how the Big East flamed out so badly, but I will defend the Big East. Tell me, of the power conferences would the 11^th place team in the Big Ten or SEC or Big 12 be able to hang with Marquette? Remember that was the 11^th place team in the Big East. All of a sudden much has been made of the ACC having more teams left in the tourney. Some of these pundits forget that a couple of the Big East teams that were eliminated by other Big East teams, and the Big Ten and SEC hasn't done that well in the tourney either.

Comeuppance for the Bucks

Its no secret that Im no fan of THE Ohio State University. I respect their football team, but I loath their noisy arrogant fans. Its funny to see how quiet these fans have become in the wake of the suspensions of Terrelle Pryor among the Tattoo five and now their supposed sainted coach Jim Tressel extending his self-imposed suspension from two to five games. I don’t care what folks say, Tressel’s suspension is a farce, a joke an affront. Tressel knew what he knew and he lied to NCAA investigators. Now he wants people to believe that he will fall on his sword and take the same penalty as the players? Bullshit. Ivan Maisel wrote a scathing piece on Tress and the Bucks, he highlighted just what I thought. Tressel is still coaching, he makes the game plan he installs it and he will be coaching the team. You just wont see the sweater vest man on the sidelines for the first five games of the 2011 season. No big sweat with games against lollipops like Akron and Toledo a weak Miami and Colorado and the Big Ten opener against Michigan State. Tress and his holier than thou sycophants are a joke. They get what they deserve.

Phat Dap

To Anthony Robles, the national champion wrestler from Arizona State. Winning the 125 pound weight division and completing an unbeaten season all despite only having one leg. Robles was born without one leg and hip bone but was a multiple All-American and defeated defending national champ Matt McDonough of Iowa . This young man is the portrait of hard work, dedication and perseverance. He overcame his disability and is a champion, give that brotha some serious dap.

Head Slap

To Tennessee Athletic Director Mike Hamilton, whose classless way of throwing embattled (and now former) coach Bruce Pearl under the bus when asked about Pearl’s job status. Did Pearl deserve to get the gate? Maybe and that was his decision but after multiple no comments, Hamilton should have continued to keep his mouth shut. You think making that comment had anything with the Vols getting housed by Michigan in the first round?

Hey I can write a column without a spec sheet! But that its for this week. Im going to the Hoodwood Electronics Store now and see if I can find a replacement for my burnout remote.

Many thanks to Bandits Mom, for letting me stink up her living room with smoke and taking the pic

Until Next Post Fellow Sports Fans!