I’m actively participating in 2014 March Madness. I completed the bracket. Despite growing up in the state of basketball in Indiana, I’ve never actually had a personal bracket. I’ve always been happy to meet in a bar to watch a game but I wasn’t ever really invested in the ‘Big Dance.’ This year, I’m playing to win.
Last March, Joel told me that the key to success in filling out a bracket is to not let emotion drive your choices. I see what he means all too clearly. Because of him, I picked Ohio State to go to the Final Four. And they lost in the first round. DANG!
I’m not a great strategist. I like a gut pick. I chose Michigan to win everything. My parents went there. And even though I grew up in Notre Dame-ville, I’ve always rooted for Michigan first. I chose UCONN to play against Michigan because of James. I made other decisions based on the local in the locale. I have both Kentucky and Louisville pretty prominently featured for MESD. No, my methodologies aren’t scientific. But we’ll see if I’m victorious.
In honor of March Madness, this is my basketball picture from 5th grade. I was the third string center. I had already reached my 5’3 height in 5th grade. I was one of the tallest until I was one of the shortest. Our season consisted of playing…maybe 5 games. In the 70s, girls’ sports were just beginning in Elkhart, Indiana. I remember that I was scheduled to start against Pierre Moran. I can’t recall why I was even tipping off. I just perfectly recollect the disastrous moment. In the only game I ever started, I didn’t make it past the tip off. I came down from the jump twisting my ankle. I limped off the court. My life as a starter lasted ten seconds.
Go Wolverines!