Break by the lakeThe Utes, who were sweating out a bid to the NCAA Tournament, didn't complain about being seeded eighth in the Midwest Regional. Some even went so far as to say they love the idea of playing in Cleveland.
Seems a little strong, considering they're going to a place that has been called the "Mistake by the Lake," doesn't it?
Not if you consider they could have ended up in Buffalo.
Hometown cooking
In the bet-you-didn't-know department, there's actually a book out called "Best Things in Life; 236 Favorite Things about Cleveland."
Let's see, there's the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and there's the Indians, and the Browns . . .
And I'm still 233 ingredients short of a cake.
Scenic route
Personally, I've always wanted to take the icebreaker boat ride around Lake Erie.
Sobering truth
The good news for the University of Utah: Alex Jensen is MWC player of the year, Hanno Mottola is all-MWC first team and the Utes are in the NCAA tourney.
The bad news: They peaked in February.
Small dance
As for the Cougars, they could do worse than an NIT bid, and they know it. Nobody at BYU is complaining about being invited to the No. 3 post-season tournament.
So what's the No. 2 post-season tourney, you might ask.
That would be the ACC's.
Future shock
Then there're the Aggies, who just can't seem to get any respect as they prepare to meet Connecticut. A headline in the Hartford Courant said, "Looking Ahead, There Could Be Tennessee."
True. But given the way the Aggies have been rolling, there could also be the off-season.
Once upon a dream
The Courant refers to the Aggies as a team being "of the mind-set that they could be this year's Cinderella team."
Keeping with the fairy tale analogies, that would make the Utes this year's Sleeping Beauty.
Standard operation
My favorite part about the NCAA Tournament? All the baloney that gets tossed around.
Here's how it goes: Team gets bid; team lets out a whoop; coach proclaims opponent a "good team from a good conference."
Heaven forbid someone take Lamar or Jackson State lightly.
Short list
Does anyone really think there are 64 good teams in the NCAA tournament?
There aren't 64 good teams in America, unless you include the NBA.
Make that 63. Otherwise, you'd have to count the Clippers.