UVA v. Clemson

I attended the Saturday contest between UVA and Clemson baseball, in Charlottesville. Oh the heels of a UVA lacrosse dressing-down of JHU, the loss didn't have as great a sting as I would have anticipated. Winning the series didn't hurt.

Davenport is a great field to watch a game. LF seating provides a great perspective of the mountains behind the backstop/reserved seating. Being clustered with the outfield pines provides shade and cover from the fading afternoon sun. There are no bad seats at a college baseball game. The play was spottier than the conditions, I was thankful UVA could win the series with their night victory.

NCAA Odds and Ends

Great slate of games yesterday, best opening day for the the NCAAs since 1998 (Bryce Drew of Valparaiso beating Ole Miss @ the buzzer). I've evolved my opinion on what it takes to win games deep into the tournament, from experience/upperclassmen, to an excellent low-post player, to a versatile wing, to...? My point? I've abandoned thoughts on championship formulas as I've come to the realization upsets result from a.) a guard who can penetrate b.) a lights out two guard. Have both, and you've got an entertaining game.

(Aside - UNC v. W&M @ Carmichael on Tuesday was the best NCAA game I've watched in two years.)

- Not surprised by the Texas collapse. Going to be a long summer in Austin. Ish Smith has 68% of the heart of the WF team.

- Carrying your NCAA bracket in public is worse than an adult bringing a mitt to a Major League baseball game.

- Yesterday was so great there was no mention of Kentucky/Kansas (#1) wins.

- An edict of my personal NCAA bracketality states it is advantageous to enter bracket pools of friends who live outside driving distance, to avoid falling prey to location bias (unless Georgetown is a no-show).

- The Big East bandwagon got (slightly) lighter after yesterday's games.

Austin Freeman, Diabetes, and Georgetown

An uneven season for Georgetown men's basketball got more difficult, as Austin Freeman was diagnosed with diabetes. I feel terrible for AF and the team, and hope they can rally around their best player.

Admittedly, I know little about diabetes, and considered it to be a disease brought on by age. I know it comes in various forms, and Type 2 is brought on by obesity. It can afflict anyone (AF, jay Cutler).

Regardless of the outcome of the Georgetown season, I'd like to see AF and John Thompson III bring awareness to the disease. Georgetown needs to create an awareness platform, and seek to educate area residents on the symptoms, in the hopes of early detection.

Things That Would Never Happen

I'd heard the 2010 NFL Draft was deep, but I had no idea. Reviewing the Pre-Combine Draft Board, I can't remember a year with similar talent. Jhavid Best at 40? Wow.

I wish the Redskins would trade down, and dump any/all players of value for draft picks. This is the draft to have multiple picks in the first two rounds.

I can't stand New England (for numerous reasons, but, in this instance, for their multitude of picks).

I Stand Corrected

Sport has risen at the Olympics. Great win by USA Mens' Hockey, Bode Miller, and Even Lysacek.

Tina Fey Back on SNL

Tina Fey is hosting SNL in April, which will be the flagship show of a mediocre season. The Top five SNL skits I'd love to see Tina Fey parody (parody of a parody).

5.Hub's Gyro Guys (the most underrated skit of all time) (Schneider, Sandler)
4. Church Lady (Dana Carvey)
3. Gumby (Eddie Murphy)
2. Sprokets (Mike Meyers)
1. Matt Foley (Chris Farley)

I hope they combine her played Sarah Palin with Celebrity Jeopardy, or my new favorite, What's Up with That?.

Vancouver Olympics

My up-to-the-moment memories of the Vancouver Olympics:

- The tragic luge death, and resulting inconclusive findings
- Warm temperatures, causing events to be postponed (skiing) or tracks to be resurfaced (short track speed skating)
- Barricade collapse
- NBC taking a bath ($200M+) on Olympic coverage
- Protests

- Thankfully, Canada's gold in men's moguls, and the touching story of Bilodeau brothers, is a bright spot

I don't want to imagine the ramifications if Canada loses the hockey gold.

WGC - Accenture Match Play

Some musings heading into the first round:

- I wouldn't want to pick the winner of the Player bracket, wow (Westwood, Els, Stenson, Ogilvy).

- I expect Lee Westwood to lose to Chris Wood in R1.

- Great matches:
- Ishikawa (8) v. Sim (9)
- Villegas (6) v. Dustin Johnson (11)

Nostalgia

As the snow continues to fall, watching UVA v. Wake I'm reminded of many a Saturday morning rec. basketball game, coming home to watch Pee Wee's Playhouse, and afternoon ACC games.

Who Knew?

I was pleasantly surprised to see Miss America 2010 was from Virginia, and also from Fredericksburg. It spurred some digging. For years I have known of famous Fredericksburg-ians Al Bumbry, Mark Lenzi, Greg Rouse, and Judge Reinhold, but was surprised to learn Danny McBride was raised in Fredericksburg. Impressively D McB still keeps a place in Fredericksburg.

2010 Abu Dhabi

The Euro Tour event is shaping up for a good final round. Kaymer leads, with Poulter & McIlroy one stroke behind. Chris Wood is also in the hunt. Great watching for Sunday morning. McIlroy is the truth, his swing is a work of art, and approaching the fluidity of Ernie Els. It makes the swing of Poulter appear as if he is trying to suffocate his swing with a pillow.

Ears and Eyes

Recently, my musical tendencies have been geared towards more upbeat artists. The latest mix from DJ KnewJack, Cloak and Dagger, is ridiculous. I've been juggling C&D with Girl talk (both NIght Ripper and Feed the Animals), The Blueprint 3, and both Wolfmother albums.

When flipping pages, I'm entranced by Charcuterie, enjoy Drive (although not to the extent I enjoyed AWNM and Johnny Bunko), and am catching up on Chuck Klosterman (IV, although reading in reverse-chronological order dissolves his tightly-wound mind shots into frayed, albeit poignant, rants).

Final 2009 Thoughts

I wish all an enjoyable night and Happy New Year. 2009 was a fantastic year, with marriage being the pinnacle event (and our two weeks in Italy). In addition, I was able to accomplish my 2009 resolution (visit the gym a certain # of times).

A few golf-related predictions for 2010.

- TW golfs his ball at a level we've never seen before. While his past month has been atrocious, it takes @ 18 months to recover from ACL reconstruction. His focus will be heightened. I expect two Majors and eight wins.

- A Major will go to a deserving golfer, either Steve Stricker or Lee Westwood (possibly both).

- Rory McIlroy wins a WGC event.

- Chris Wood is Top 5 in the European Tour Order of Merit.

- 2010 Major Winners. Masters - TW, US Open - TW, The Open - LW, PGA - SS.

(Update #1) UVA related - It is hard to believe UVA hired new basketball and football coaches in 2009. I think the Tony Bennett hire is outstanding, and look forward to how he can improve the current roster, and develop his own players once they arrive. Mike London is a hire which makes me cautiously optimistic; he knows the focus must be on recruiting the state of Virginia,a contrast to the early Groh years which expanded our recruiting base to NJ, PA, NC.

Looking to expand beyond HIAH in 2010, picked up a few new domains, mulling some ideas. Again, all the best.

(Update #2) - You can now access the site through rrd96.com.

Top Christmas Songs

I whole-heartedly enjoy a good Christmas son. My favorites:

5. Christmas In Hollis - Run DMC. Does it count?

4. Let IT Snow - Aaron Neville. How does such a hulking individual have a vulnerable voice?

3. 2000 Miles - Chrissy Hynde.

2. Blue Christmas - Elvis Presley.

1. SCICTT - Bruce Springsteen. Classic. Never gets old.

I Won't Get Fooled Again

I was in the unenviable position of spectator at the Redskins v. Giants game. It is barely worth wasting words at the atrocity of the home team. I've never seen a team more listless and resigned to losing. The new GM, Allen, needs to start from scratch in the non-cap year. I see few salvageable parts. While other tams have worse records, at least they have building blocks.

Detroit - Stafford & Johnson (if only for trade value)
Cleveland - Cribbs & Harrison (I thought his line from Sunday was typographically incorrect)
KC - Charles & Cassel

Washingotn has Orakpo and an aging (and overpaid) Haynesworth. Everyone else needs to go. Trade down in Round One of the draft to accumulate picks, and lunge for Ryan Mallet mid/late in Round Two. Spend the rest of the draft on OL. Avoid drafting skill position players (Sleepy Davis and Kelly/Thomas can me productive).

Quick Redskins Note

With the good comes the (potentially) bad. After an all-around good performance and win in Oakland, in a (marginally) related development Jake Locker decided to stay at the University of Washington for his senior year. I'd be willing to lend him the $0.35 to call Sam Bradford and see if his attitude towards a 'full college career' changed after his limited and injury-prone season.

Unfortunately, the QB pool for the draft (a position the Redskins are presumably targeting) got a bit thinner, as Locker won't be available, and potential QBs may be drafted before the Redskins pick. I think Locker would have been successful in DC, he'd be my #1 option, but I wouldn't be disappointed with Bradford or Clausen. Truth be told, with JL opting for another 280 days of Seattle rain, I hope the 'Skins wait until R2 to draft Ryan Mallett / Tony Pike, who both have the opportunity to be successful.

Whole Foods - Profits

While dining at Whole Foods last night I noticed a posted sign explaining how certain days are designated '5% Days', where 5% of the daily profits are donated to a designate charity. The tally from the most recent 5% Day donated @ $5200 to charity. Some quick back of the napkin math led me to realize the daily profit of the Alexandria Whole Foods is @ $100,000 (with a minor subtraction for any profit bump on the day of the charity donation).

Can a Whole Foods really have a $36.5M profit for the year? What am I missing?

Update: WF sells beer/win, which makes a daily profit of $100K more feasible. What are other high-margin WF items? Fruit? Organic items?

Al Groh is Out

It will be difficult to lure a successful coach to UVA, based on academic restrictions, and poor YOY performance. Realizing the decision will not be solely based on football, my thoughts:

Untouchable I'd want, if $ weren't an object: Jeff Tedford

My current wishlist (and % chance):

1. Chris Petersen (BSU) (2%)
2. Pat Fitzgerald (NU) (1%)
2. Calhoun (AF) (4%)
3. London (UoR) (55%)
4. Butch Jones (CMU) (3%)
5. Grobe (WFU) (25%)
6. Strong (UF)(10%)
7. Woody Hayes, Mike Price, and Gene Stallings
196. Flavor Flav
278. Golden and Mike Groh

Major Applewhite as a darkhorse?

LRJ WR

Lebron's talk of playing WR for the Cleveland Browns makes for good discussion.

"Quarterback Brady Quinn also heard about James' football fetish. He would love to have a target to throw to like James in the red zone."

Shouldn't you reach the red zone before discussing your red zone options?

If LJ waits too long, the orange helmet referred to by Mangini will be that of a construction worker, if he's lucky enough to land a foreman job after getting freed by Cleveland.

LJ would have more success as a WR for the Giants.

NCAA BB 2009

I enjoyed ESPN’s NCAA BB Marathon; it jogged memories of the NCAA Tournament, and watching a sequence of games, a whetting of the whistle.

Down:
Kansas - #1 on the basis of returning starters/scorers (top 9), but I see marginal improvement from last years S16 team. Aldrich will take touches from more athletic players, and it will be hard to settle on a rotation.

Duke – Lost their most athletic player when Elliott Williams transferred to Memphis.

Top Ten Teams (in general) – Most T10 teams have a few superstars and little depth, or depth with no go to scorer. More cracks/flaws in the T10 than in the past.

Up:
Teams not currently in the Top 25 – Maryland (GV, EH, LM) has depth and experience, and will rise as the season progresses. Memphis gained a potential All American in Williams (kudos to the NCAA for allowing him to immediately transfer, on account of personal hardship) but the team has a lot of growing up to do (under an untested coach) and improve their shooting to be dangerous. Not used to being the underdog, I see them improving as the year progresses. Gonzaga has a young team, who will undertake a difficult schedule, but Mark Few will prepare them well for March.