Health Reform, Finally

It was an ugly, ugly process. But we need health care reform. And now we have it. There are plenty of provisions for everyone. And plenty for everyone to criticize. But really, it's time to move on from politics to performance.

The Gaels Go Marching In

St Mary's over Villanova is just another upset in a great tournament. If Northern Iowa can hold on against Kansas, this will be one of the least watched Sweet 16s of all time.  Except it will also be one of the best.

We're still on track for a Xavier v St Mary's final. Jesuits v LaSallians.  Bring it on.

Brackets - Day 2

It looks as if Cornell will defeat hammer Temple. West Virginia rolls after a really slow start. Xavier might hang on. Whew. Who else is playing? Lucky I don't bet.

Cornell can shoot. Their big guy is much better than you'd expect from the IVY league. And Whitman is an amazing shooter. Makes you wonder if Harvard should have been invited. Certainly the tournament could have justified another IVY instead of the 2/3 of dozen they invited for a one-and-done visit from the Big East.

Brackets - Day 1

Notre Dame busted the bracket early. First game of the first round. Unfortunately, it seems that the longer players stay at ND, the worse they get. I applaud their graduation rate, but some of the guys they've had recently have gone sideways or even regressed. If they're really pro prospects, they should consider leaving early. Oh well, I digress ...

Let's see if BYU and 'Nova can hang on.

What's in YOUR Bracket

Every year I get a bunch of calls - mostly from family members - who ask me to help them with their brackets. They know I love college basketball and will be glad to share my picks.

Of course my picks usually begin and end with "pick the UConn women". Choosing on the men's side is much harder. Or even impossible. But I try.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day

Happy Saint Patrick's Day. Here's a little bit of Riverdance.

CYO Final Four

How's this for a  Final Four?

Three from the Big East. And a mid-major! Looks like a CYO pickup game.  

Click on the brackets to see a larger image.

Graduation Rates Are Awesome

Derrick Z. Jackson of the Boston Globe is not happy about the graduation rates of some of the universities in the NCAA tournament.

The NCAA publishes an annual list of graduation rates and it provides serious tsk-tsk material for sports writers who otherwise act as homers for their local college basketball favorites. The list comes out in November, but it's scrutinized at the time of national collegiate championships, particularly football and basketball.

What Happened to the Constitution

When I was student way back when, I sort of remember being taught that in order to become law a bill had to pass both the House of Representatives and Senate.

March Madness is Here

1. I don't want to hear any bitching from any #1 seeds that they have a tough road to the Final Four in Indy. You have a #1 seed for a reason...you're supposed to be better than everyone else in the field. Play up to your seed or go home.
   
2. Duke, Duke Duke... There is no way they deserve to once again get the benefit of the draw. First, their body of work within a weaker than usual ACC doesn't compare to take your pick, Syracuse or West Virginia of the Big East. Second, they are slotted to play in the South Regional, closer to home than Syracuse, sent to Salt Lake City. Lastly, they draw the weakest possible ever #4 seed in Purdue. A team who lost their best post player and now a top guard.
   

What Could Have Been

You have to believe when UConn set the all time record for consecutive wins, two women contemplated decisions they made that coincided with the start of the streak. As the UConn women's basketball team marches (again) into the history books, Pat Summit and Elena Delle Donne must be at least thinking about what could have been.

Two years ago, Delle Donne was the most heavily recruited high school senior in the country. Even with the incredible Maya Moore (pictured) finishing just her freshman year at UConn, Della Donne seemed to be the next cover girl for the program, poised to be the next Diana Taurausi.

NOMAH!

He was one of the greatest Red Sox players of all time, even if his career was cut short by injuries. The Red Sox are signing Nomar Garciaparra to a one-day contract today so he can retire as a Red Sox. 

It's a classy - if somewhat puzzling - move by the Red Sox who have reconciled with several players who ended their careers elsewhere including Dewey Evans, Carlton Fisk and Fred Lynn. Evans, Fisk and Lynn did not leave as a result of contract negotiations with the current management team, nor was their departure as bitter.

Health Care Reform v Political Reform

We need health care reform. In the eighties and nineties as an independent contractor, I paid $10-20K out of pocket every year for my family's health care.

At one point - even though I had insurance - I owed more than $500,000 for health care costs. Each and every year I had to find health insurance, because after one year of coverage, rates would skyrocket. I commiserate with the millions of Americans who cannot get insurance or who are underinsured.

Oh, Canada!

Great Olympics, Canada. In your honor:

The Best of the Best

When played at the highest level, there is no better sport than hockey. End to end rushes. Crunching checks. Hockey matches and surpasses all other sports at combining artistry and finesse with brutal physicality.

Yesterday's USA - Canada match-up was a game for the ages and a showcase for how sports can be played.