Finally, I congratulate all of the emotional and mercurial gamblers whose teams made it to the big dance, and to the few – not associated with Florida State – who actually picked the Gators to win. For the record, I cannot count myself in either category since the teams I picked were booted from the dance even before they got the music started. But, at the risk of seeming like a sore loser, was it just me or did last night’s game feature more thrilling shots of celebrities in the stands (of former players like Kareem Abdul-Jabaar and famous dads like Yannick Noah) than thrilling shots on the court?
I’m sorry but the game was anticlimactic: Not only because the cinderella team, George Mason, was eliminated on Saturday, but also because the players generated little excitement (notwithstanding streaming images of baby Noah’s screams) and it was over after the first half (since Florida’s comfortable lead was never challenged by UCLA). Ah well….
NCAA men’s basketball, Florida Gators, UCLA Bruins
Ravic says
It may have been anticlimactic for most, but as a Gator fan, it was pure magic. Especially when beating a team with a history like UCLA. Go Gators!
One more thing, please correct your blog to say Florida and not Florida State. Down here that’s like confusing Duke for UNC.
ALH ipinions says
Fair point Ravic
Thanks for the clarification…
And, congratulations to you!
Bill says
You are so right about that game ALH. It was a real dud! I’m a Gators fan by the way. I was offended by the way they made the whole thing about Joakim and his dad. Who cares!
Anonymous says
Perhaps lost in all the George Mason hype was how well the SEC conference represented themselves in the tournament. Not only having Florida win the tourney, but also to have LSU in the Final Four. This conference is probably more known for its football prowess, but has now shown that basketball is played at a high level in the SEC in places other than Kentucky. And for the nutty basketball fans, South Carolina (SEC) won back-to- back NIT titles; the first time that has been accomplished in 40 years.
Way to go Gators…
Rage….
Ravic says
I do also agree with the excessive focus on stardom, too many commercials, constant replays of dunks from different angles, etc. Who cares!
However, I truelly enjoyed every block, pick and roll, full court press, buzzer beater, seeing the big guys shoot threes or dribble from one end to the other … that’s why we watch and enjoy March Madness. The rest of the stuff is tuned out.
Anonymous says
it didn’t think about it at the time but you’re right, there was way too much talk about joakim and his dad. the game really sucked and that’s not just because i’m a ucla fan. there was just no real drama