Grading on a Curve

I notice that I did not get a blogging grade. I have never known
this group to avoid cheap shots, so I'm waiting for both shoes to
drop. In the meantime, I'll assume that we're grading on a curve so
that my 95-point-some odd percentage next to my score can lob me into
the A range. (I recognize the slip in points remaining--those with G
last (or maiden names) who are related to McDows by marriage seem to
be leading that category.) But its the name that begins with X that
matters.

Tomorrow night, I'm looking to see Xavier oust UCLA. Cheers to the
Musketeers. All for one and one for the Final Four. I am the only
one in our pool who picked them to win through. Even Clarkson, who
backed me up on Davidson, did not have the clarity of vision to get
on the X Train. Of course if they lose, my bracket can sing, M-I-C-
see ya next year-K - E- Y- why because I suck, L-O -U-S-E.

Clarkson McDow and Jim Goff

While they're visiting with each other at the lake, maybe Clarkson can get some pointers from Jim about how to pick basketball games and Jim can get some pointers from Clarkson about how to blog. On a different note: if Davidson kids are so smart, how come it took them this long to figure out how to do well in the tournament?

PPR gone good

Love the PPR! As of right now, I'm leading in PPR with both remaining sweet 16 games and all my final 4 picks still alive. Of course, after Xavier beats UCLA I'll be eliminated so let's just say PPR is the way to go. (from Jeff)

"Mmmmm Spicy Curry"

I saw that sign in the crowd tonight. Davidson wins big-- that's what I'm talking about! A bunch of smart kids handing it to the midwest guys. I'd sacrifice my whole bracket at this point to see Davidson advance to Final Four. I'm obviously psyched! Leslie

PPR gone bad

On Thursday morning, I was feeling pretty good with a high PPR my world was all possibilities. I may not be up with the winners, but oh the possibilities. After the late games yesterday, and Wisconsin putting in a dismal performance, I'm not as optimistic. Although, I have to say, good for Davidson. It's hard to root against them. By the way, you probably won't hear much from my dad this weekend because he is visiting the Goff's at the lake, and I don't think they have very good blackberry reception there.

The 7:30 games

I'm riveted by the games. Rooting very hard for Stanford and Davidson. I won't be catching the later games... early bedtime around here, courtesy of Silas's wake-up time.

All Quiet on the Blog Front

'Todd' apparently isn't taking Raskin's bait. But everyone else is quiet too. There isn't a very exciting game on right now that might propel a McDowHoops family team to the Elite Eight, is there? Clarkson must have forgotten his Blackberry wherever he is. [As I wrote this, Maggie contributed a post. Yes, Ole and Sarah, who *are* you?]

Ole and Sarah who?

Who are Ole and Sarah? I think they may be more elusive than the Mysterious Crawford.

Thankfully

When I click on the small picture of Todd in the post below, only another small picture of Todd appears.

New Poll!

The key feature of this poll is that you should change your vote once you have become awesome (unless you're among those hopeless individuals in the third category).

Grading Todd

Effort: A- (started slowly, but has come on strong)

Smack: B+ (too easy on Raskin and fawning all over Clarkson)

Blog identity: A ("the boy from Palouse Hills")

Picker: A- (basketball and nose)

Attitude: D (nothing like repeated little cheap shots at good ol' Piers, eh?! Back atcha baby!)

Nickname: F (Unless your real name isn't Todd, in which case you get an A+)

Degree of difficulty: 10 (for a guy who doesn't follow basketball, you blog it well!)

Overall: A (but remember I'm not a math guy)

That should make you smile.

<-- Like that!

Correction

Mook, I'm not sure how I skipped over your bracket! My apologies. In my defense, I was moving fast to get my post up before the judge came in this morning. You did pick Memphis. I'm wrong to call into doubt their likelihood of making the Final Four. (The pool collectively thinks there's a 64% chance Memphis will make it.) You have Georgetown winning it all, which explains your anemic PPR ... so far Lauren hasn't crunched new numbers, but I predict that we won't be tied for long! Anyone else who wants a midterm grade should just let me know. I thought it would be pretty obnoxious to grade everyone, so I just targeted a few of you (which was only mildly obnoxious). Here is another selection of smack grades: Mook: A+ for cricket smack; A for birthday smack; A- for NCAA smack Charles Stuart: A+ for nickname (great "O or D" post!) Ole: F Sarah: F

Hello?

Todd:
I realize that I'm living in a country with ~ 1 billion people, and a city with ~ 20 million people, but I'm a little hurt to be so over-looked.  I'm tied for second place.  WITH YOU.  Not only do I have Memphis in the final game, I feel I've talked my fair share of smack.  About basketball AND cricket.

 

Wondering what it takes to get noticed around here...

Mook

 

PS - Anwar said that Tendulkar was the greatest cricketer of all time.

Lauren: please run the new numbers

Okay, UCLA has not looked particularly dominant in their latest two outings. Nevertheless I have picked them to go all the way. In my office (money) pool, where I'm in the hunt at third, I have UNC going all the way -- I'm not crazy. But in this pool, I wanted both a shot at winning and a chance to talk smack about west coast teams along the way.

So I'm still in this thing, but I wouldn't bet on myself. Lauren, what does your analysis say? Dodie has a lot of PPR, but he's banking on two upsets: Xavier and Wisconsin in the Final Four. Also, he and Lauren are the only ones in the top five who picked Memphis to make it to the final four. Will that happen? (You'll remember that Hillary has them going all the way.)

I second the call for Ole and Sarah to join the blog. Meanwhile I was psyched to see more posts from Margaret and Jeff. Clarkson maintains his A+ status for smack talk, although I'd like to correct the record to say that Piers is the one who avoided the D in Physics. I am the one who avoided a D in Evolutionary Biology. Don't ask Dodie about the courses he avoided D's in.

A brief selection of people's smack-talk grades -- this is just the midterms, so don't worry too much, folks -- might be awarded as follows:

Piers: A (for quantity)
Lauren: A (for quality)
Raskin: B+ (more posts and more insults, please)
Will: C- (narrowly avoiding a D; get with the program)
The Mysterious Crawford: F

Sitting Next to Todd

Just like I said I would be... 

 

-Mook

When Your Bracket is. In the Tank

My bracket is in the tank so now iI have the freedom to pull for alll of the underdogs.  WKU is trying to pull one of the all time major upsets. They may fall short but you have to love them. 

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Vols dealt bad Cards

Looks like it's Clarkson (and Leslie) who's stewing after that awful game played by those hound-dogs.

A lesser team would be in trouble.

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