March Madness

Live in the state of Kentucky you learn real fast that the state past time isn't baseball, it isn't hockey, it isn't even NASCAR or football. And it's especially not professional sports. They've tried that gig many times and the professional world has made it clear: they're too good to come to our lowly state. That's okay we have our gig, it's called COLLEGE BASKETBALL and we even have the marquee rivalry when it comes to that. We have the Lousiville Cardinals vs. the Kentucky Wildcats. And even though I've bled blue since I was knee-high to a grasshopper there are just as many who bleed red and black for the Cardinals.

But it's this time of year with the swagger and trash talk all comes to a head and it's really put up or shut-up time. March Madness is akin to a second Christmas and on Christmas Eve, better known as Selection Sunday around here all the Wildcats and Cardinals and some of the smaller colleges in the state are sitting and wondering, will we go to the Big Dance or will we be sitting at home. And still others are just thinking, where will we be going?

Kentucky went to the East to face Princeton. They are a 4 seed. When they were picking Kentucky teams to take a deep run into the NCAA Tournament the more popular team to throw the weight behind was Louisville. When an SI reporter picked Kentucky "a surprise" to come out of the East even I was shocked. This hasn't been their best year, as evidenced by their 2nd round game versus Princeton. Turn the ball over that many times against a more talented opponent and it will be on the bus for a return trip home. Just ask the Cardinals who didn't make it out of the 2nd round to another Kentucky team the Morehead State Eagles.

I have to give a shoutout to MSU, I went to their band clinic for three years when in high school. They literally had a Tom's Diner on the Corner. Suzanne Vega knew what she was talking about.

But Sports Illustrated? I hate them. And Seth Davis. Any Kentucky fan worth their salt does. Google those names and you'll see why.

What I'm getting at is that, persistence pays off. So any of you watching those games at home and writing about them. Keep at it. Eventually, your time will come. Just ask the 'Cats (7 National Titles, 27 Conference Tournament Titles ect.). The Cards (2 National Titles). And to add to the roster this year the Morehead State Eagles ( a chance to go to the Sweet Sixteen!).