“What happened to my bracket” this is what everyone is saying this time of year when March Madness comes to a close. Arguable the best and most watched sporting event in the United States. March madness is like a national holiday that last about three weeks.
It provides a field of 64 teams all fighting to reach the final four and with a little luck win a national championship. Now we are down to the final four in this year’s tournament. North Carolina and Connecticut are the favorites, with Villanova and Michigan State all fighting to prove otherwise. This field of four is sure not to disappoint. March Madness has provided us with many buzzer beater shots like Christian Laettner shot to propell Duke over Kentucky. It has sparked careers of superstars and legends like Michael Jordan, and it has given us cynderella stories like Davidson of last year. What will be the story this year? So far the stories have been about the lack of upsets and the higher seeds like North Carolina and Connecticut dominating the tournament.
It seems like everybody is in on the action nation wide. Las Vegas gambling executives say that March madness is arguable the biggest gambling event in Las Vegas. No other sporting event comes close in gambling revenue other then the super bowl. Its not just Vegas were all the betting is going on. Offices from all over the country have made their picks on the march madness action also. March madness is famous for the office pools. However the tournament doesn’t stop with Las Vegas or the office pools. People from all over then country take their picks and bet in small groups, with close friends, family, or working peers. Some may even just play for the fun of it, just for the thrill, and love of the event. President Obama is even in on the action telling ESPN that “he is a big fan.” President Obama picked North Carolina to win it all telling ESPNs Andy Krattz that, “I'm going with experience.” Also saying that, “I'm counting on you” referring to North Carolina. President Obama isn’t the only high profile name who had made their tournament picks. Jamal Lewis of the Cleveland Browns has his own March madness tournament with other high profile Cleveland athletes like Mo Williams, Daniel Gibson, and Grady Seizmore all taking part. The tournament brackets have even hit the rap world, with Fabolous, Bow Wow, and Capone-N-Noreaga all being reported on having betting pools with other rappers and friends.
Filling out a tournament bracket, and seeing how good your doing during and after the tournament is a huge thrill to sports fans. “It makes you feel like your actually part of the tournament, it adds to the excited to fill out a bracket” said Bryant Leapart a South Carolina native who is rooting for the Tar Heels. Like President Obama he’s not the only one pulling for North Carolina, Brandon Walton another North Carolina fan said, “It’s one of my favorite times of year, I’m a big sports fan and this the super bowl and the NBA finals are my favorite sporting events. The thing I like about the NCAA tournament is that is last so long.” They all agree that this year their picks that they’ve made havent been as successful as last year. Alex Coleman said, “ I like it because of all the good basketball games, and plus basketball is my favorite sport. This year has been good, I’m interested to see who’s going to win.” It’s not just men taking part of this event even women love the tournament Jackie Lewis said that, “Im so excited about the tournament, I get even more excited when I fill out my bracket. However I only have one team left in the final four, which is North Carolina” The four people I interviewed may not know eachother but they all have something in common. All of them had a tournament bracket filled out.
Not only is it all the betting, its just the thrill, and the tradition that makes this tournament so special. March Madness is almost over, but one things for sure a lot of americans are still holding on to their brackets tight, even if they have a whole lot of red ex marks over teams and games.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Why didnt americans give the World Baseball Classic a Chance?
Some may feel that the World baseball classic is pointless. A lot of Americans didn’t even know when an where it was going on. To the average sports fan the World baseball classic isn’t a point of interest. Sports fans tend to be focused on basketball during the months of February and March; with the NBA season gearing up towards playoffs and the NCAA March madness drama. With that being said let me give you a rundown of what most you guys didn’t know about this baseball event if anything at all. The World Baseball Classic known as the “WBC” is an international baseball tournament. The event is sanctioned by the International Baseball Federation. It was originally created by Major League Baseball the Major League Baseball Players Association, and other professional baseball leagues and their players associations around the world. The event was first held in 2006 and its second edition was this month both held here in the United States. So now that we got the general information out of the way do most american care yet probably not. However the World baseball classic had several teams from every major continent, and the games strentched from Florida to Califonia. While americans may not care other countries do.
Baseball is known as the United States national passed time. However other countries belief that baseball is their sport and they’re the best at it. Coutries like the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Venezula, China, South Korea, Netherland, and two time champion Japan. For these countries the world baseball classic is just as competitive and meaningful as the Olympics. Players take the game seriously. ESPN even reported that the country of the Dominican Republic was ashamed of its performance in this years classic. The Cuba vs Venezula game is a known rivalry between the two countries, and anytime two Asian teams meet it’s a battle for bragging rights. “Other countries take the World baseball classic seriously, and it seems like the United States don’t care as much.” Said Richard Thistle a California resident.
When one looks at major league baseball in the United States maybe its not hard to see why americans have little interest in the classic. The major league is filled with players from the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Japan, China ect. Most of the all star arent even from the United States. Alex Rodriguez, David Ortiz, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Ichiro Suzuki are all from other countries just to name a few. “I think Americans know that were not as good as other countries in baseball.” Said Omar Bethea. Many Americans hold that same theory thinking that Americans don’t care about the world baseball classic because they know the American team isn’t going to win based off the numbers of foreigners playing in the major league baseball in America. It’s sad but its most likely true, Americans are just afraid to say it.
The World baseball classic is a great sporting event that springs several countries together to achieve a common goal, which is to be called the best baseball team in the world. Yes American we can call baseball are national past time but we are no longer the best at it. Perhaps Japan baseball player told ESPN the truth when he said, “I believe that we were the two best teams in the world (Japan and Korea) Asia is best, world best in baseball, and Korea and Japan were able to fight until the end. It was a great glory for all of us." Yes other countries do care, Americans we should care about the World baseball classic to even if we aren’t the worlds best at it. Hey at least we have basketball.
Baseball is known as the United States national passed time. However other countries belief that baseball is their sport and they’re the best at it. Coutries like the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Venezula, China, South Korea, Netherland, and two time champion Japan. For these countries the world baseball classic is just as competitive and meaningful as the Olympics. Players take the game seriously. ESPN even reported that the country of the Dominican Republic was ashamed of its performance in this years classic. The Cuba vs Venezula game is a known rivalry between the two countries, and anytime two Asian teams meet it’s a battle for bragging rights. “Other countries take the World baseball classic seriously, and it seems like the United States don’t care as much.” Said Richard Thistle a California resident.
When one looks at major league baseball in the United States maybe its not hard to see why americans have little interest in the classic. The major league is filled with players from the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Japan, China ect. Most of the all star arent even from the United States. Alex Rodriguez, David Ortiz, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Ichiro Suzuki are all from other countries just to name a few. “I think Americans know that were not as good as other countries in baseball.” Said Omar Bethea. Many Americans hold that same theory thinking that Americans don’t care about the world baseball classic because they know the American team isn’t going to win based off the numbers of foreigners playing in the major league baseball in America. It’s sad but its most likely true, Americans are just afraid to say it.
The World baseball classic is a great sporting event that springs several countries together to achieve a common goal, which is to be called the best baseball team in the world. Yes American we can call baseball are national past time but we are no longer the best at it. Perhaps Japan baseball player told ESPN the truth when he said, “I believe that we were the two best teams in the world (Japan and Korea) Asia is best, world best in baseball, and Korea and Japan were able to fight until the end. It was a great glory for all of us." Yes other countries do care, Americans we should care about the World baseball classic to even if we aren’t the worlds best at it. Hey at least we have basketball.
Why didnt americans give the World Baseball Classic a Chance?
Some may feel that the World baseball classic is pointless. A lot of Americans didn’t even know when an where it was going on. To the average sports fan the World baseball classic isn’t a point of interest. Sports fans tend to be focused on basketball during the months of February and March; with the NBA season gearing up towards playoffs and the NCAA March madness drama. With that being said let me give you a rundown of what most you guys didn’t know about this baseball event if anything at all. The World Baseball Classic known as the “WBC” is an international baseball tournament. The event is sanctioned by the International Baseball Federation. It was originally created by Major League Baseball the Major League Baseball Players Association, and other professional baseball leagues and their players associations around the world. The event was first held in 2006 and its second edition was this month both held here in the United States. So now that we got the general information out of the way do most american care yet probably not. However the World baseball classic had several teams from every major continent, and the games strentched from Florida to Califonia. While americans may not care other countries do.
Baseball is known as the United States national passed time. However other countries belief that baseball is their sport and they’re the best at it. Coutries like the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Venezula, China, South Korea, Netherland, and two time champion Japan. For these countries the world baseball classic is just as competitive and meaningful as the Olympics. Players take the game seriously. ESPN even reported that the country of the Dominican Republic was ashamed of its performance in this years classic. The Cuba vs Venezula game is a known rivalry between the two countries, and anytime two Asian teams meet it’s a battle for bragging rights. “Other countries take the World baseball classic seriously, and it seems like the United States don’t care as much.” Said Richard Thistle a California resident.
When one looks at major league baseball in the United States maybe its not hard to see why americans have little interest in the classic. The major league is filled with players from the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Japan, China ect. Most of the all star arent even from the United States. Alex Rodriguez, David Ortiz, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Ichiro Suzuki are all from other countries just to name a few. “I think Americans know that were not as good as other countries in baseball.” Said Omar Bethea. Many Americans hold that same theory thinking that Americans don’t care about the world baseball classic because they know the American team isn’t going to win based off the numbers of foreigners playing in the major league baseball in America. It’s sad but its most likely true, Americans are just afraid to say it.
The World baseball classic is a great sporting event that springs several countries together to achieve a common goal, which is to be called the best baseball team in the world. Yes American we can call baseball are national past time but we are no longer the best at it. Perhaps Japan baseball player told ESPN the truth when he said, “I believe that we were the two best teams in the world (Japan and Korea) Asia is best, world best in baseball, and Korea and Japan were able to fight until the end. It was a great glory for all of us." Yes other countries do care, Americans we should care about the World baseball classic to even if we aren’t the worlds best at it. Hey at least we have basketball.
Baseball is known as the United States national passed time. However other countries belief that baseball is their sport and they’re the best at it. Coutries like the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Venezula, China, South Korea, Netherland, and two time champion Japan. For these countries the world baseball classic is just as competitive and meaningful as the Olympics. Players take the game seriously. ESPN even reported that the country of the Dominican Republic was ashamed of its performance in this years classic. The Cuba vs Venezula game is a known rivalry between the two countries, and anytime two Asian teams meet it’s a battle for bragging rights. “Other countries take the World baseball classic seriously, and it seems like the United States don’t care as much.” Said Richard Thistle a California resident.
When one looks at major league baseball in the United States maybe its not hard to see why americans have little interest in the classic. The major league is filled with players from the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Japan, China ect. Most of the all star arent even from the United States. Alex Rodriguez, David Ortiz, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Ichiro Suzuki are all from other countries just to name a few. “I think Americans know that were not as good as other countries in baseball.” Said Omar Bethea. Many Americans hold that same theory thinking that Americans don’t care about the world baseball classic because they know the American team isn’t going to win based off the numbers of foreigners playing in the major league baseball in America. It’s sad but its most likely true, Americans are just afraid to say it.
The World baseball classic is a great sporting event that springs several countries together to achieve a common goal, which is to be called the best baseball team in the world. Yes American we can call baseball are national past time but we are no longer the best at it. Perhaps Japan baseball player told ESPN the truth when he said, “I believe that we were the two best teams in the world (Japan and Korea) Asia is best, world best in baseball, and Korea and Japan were able to fight until the end. It was a great glory for all of us." Yes other countries do care, Americans we should care about the World baseball classic to even if we aren’t the worlds best at it. Hey at least we have basketball.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
March Madness!!!
Its March you know what that means? March Madness is here! Arguable the best and most watched sporting event in the United States. March Madness provides a field of 64 teams all fighting to reach the final four and with a little luck win a national championship. March Madness has provided us with many buzzer beater shots like Christian Laettner shot to propell Duke over Kentucky. It has sparked careers of superstars and legends like Michael Jordan, and it has gave us cynderella stories like Davidson of last year. March madness is like a national holiday that last about three weeks.
It seems like everybody is in on the action nation wide. Las Vegas gambling executives say that its arguable the biggest gambling event in Las Vegas. No other sporting event comes close in gambling revenue other then the super bowl. Its not just Vegas were all the betting is going on. Offices from all over the country get in on the march madness action also. March madness is famous for the office pools. However the tournament doesn’t stop with Las Vegas of the office pools. People from all over then country take their picks and bet in small groups, with close friends, family, or working peers. Some may even just play for the fun of it, just for the thrill, and love of the event. President Obama is even in on the action telling ESPN that’ “he is a big fan.” President Obama picked North Carolina to win it all telling ESPNs Andy Krattz that, “I'm going with experience.” Also saying that he’s “I'm counting on you” referring to North Carolina. President Obama isn’t the only high profile name making their tournament picks. Jamal Lewis of the Cleveland Browns has his own March madness tournament with other high profile Cleveland athletes like Mo Williams, Daniel Gibson, and Grady Seizmore all taking part. The tournament brackets have even hit the rap world, with Fabolous, Bow Wow, and Capone-N-Noreaga all being reported on having betting pools with other rappers and friends.
Recently I asked a couple basketball fans how they thought about march madness. Brandon Walton a North Carolina fan said, “It’s one of my favorite times of year, I’m a big sports fan and this the super bowl and the NBA finals are my favorite sporting events. The thing I like about the NCAA tournament is that is last so long.” Alex Coleman said, “ I like it because of all the good basketball games, and plus basketball is my favorite sport.” Omar Bethea says, “ It’s my favorite event other then the super bowl, im a big football fan, but the NCAA tournament is another must see.” It’s not just men taking part of this event even women love the tournament Jackie Lewis said that, “Im so excited about the tournament, I get even more excited when I fill out my bracket.” The four people I interviewed may not know eachother but they all have something in common. All of them had a tournament bracket filled out.
Not only is it all the betting, its just the thrill, and the tradition that makes this tournament so special. March Madness is here, let the three weeks of thrills, excitement, traditon, and betting begin!
It seems like everybody is in on the action nation wide. Las Vegas gambling executives say that its arguable the biggest gambling event in Las Vegas. No other sporting event comes close in gambling revenue other then the super bowl. Its not just Vegas were all the betting is going on. Offices from all over the country get in on the march madness action also. March madness is famous for the office pools. However the tournament doesn’t stop with Las Vegas of the office pools. People from all over then country take their picks and bet in small groups, with close friends, family, or working peers. Some may even just play for the fun of it, just for the thrill, and love of the event. President Obama is even in on the action telling ESPN that’ “he is a big fan.” President Obama picked North Carolina to win it all telling ESPNs Andy Krattz that, “I'm going with experience.” Also saying that he’s “I'm counting on you” referring to North Carolina. President Obama isn’t the only high profile name making their tournament picks. Jamal Lewis of the Cleveland Browns has his own March madness tournament with other high profile Cleveland athletes like Mo Williams, Daniel Gibson, and Grady Seizmore all taking part. The tournament brackets have even hit the rap world, with Fabolous, Bow Wow, and Capone-N-Noreaga all being reported on having betting pools with other rappers and friends.
Recently I asked a couple basketball fans how they thought about march madness. Brandon Walton a North Carolina fan said, “It’s one of my favorite times of year, I’m a big sports fan and this the super bowl and the NBA finals are my favorite sporting events. The thing I like about the NCAA tournament is that is last so long.” Alex Coleman said, “ I like it because of all the good basketball games, and plus basketball is my favorite sport.” Omar Bethea says, “ It’s my favorite event other then the super bowl, im a big football fan, but the NCAA tournament is another must see.” It’s not just men taking part of this event even women love the tournament Jackie Lewis said that, “Im so excited about the tournament, I get even more excited when I fill out my bracket.” The four people I interviewed may not know eachother but they all have something in common. All of them had a tournament bracket filled out.
Not only is it all the betting, its just the thrill, and the tradition that makes this tournament so special. March Madness is here, let the three weeks of thrills, excitement, traditon, and betting begin!
Monday, March 9, 2009
BIG Weekend in College Basketball
College basketball fans were in for a treat last weekend. With the two big games Saturday and Sunday. The first game was Saturday afternoon with number 4 Pittsburgh beating then number 1 Connecticut 70 to 60. Sam Young led the way for the Pittsburgh with a career high 31 point and 10 rebounds. AJ Price led the way for Connecticut in a losing effort with 19 points.
In the other marque match up of the weekend presented number 2 North Carolina beat number 7 Duke 79 to 71. Tyler Hansbrough paced North Carolina with 17 points in a balanced scoring effort. Jon Scheyer led all scorers with 24 points.
Next week is another big weekend for college basketball with the selection of the 64 NCAA tournament teams. State tuned for more information!
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Trade Deadlines Over?
Two key additions happened after the NBA Trade Deadline, that were suppose to happen before the deadline. However the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Boston Celtics acquired more talent by teams buying out the contracts of their players. The Cleveland Cavaliers picked up Joe Smith from Oklahoma City Thunder, and the Boston Celtics picked up Stephon Marbury from the New York Knicks. Both players were picked up to bolster the rosters of the two contenders.
I asked two basketball fans what they thought about the moves. Jamal Gray a Boston Celtics fan believe, "it will help the Celtics repeat, and Marbury will be a key player for them. I also interviewed Steven Taylor a Cavaliers fan and he said, "As long as Lebron James has help, the Cleveland will have itself a championship, he has a pretty good team around him".
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