When I began this blog I copied and pasted dozens of articles on a weekly basis, partly because it was easier on the old site, but also because there was so much more better writing out there. And by that, I mean, sports journalism was stronger and folks adhered to rules. It’s the wild west out there now, and while there are more people writing about sports, they don’t seem to write responsibly throwing crap and hoping something will stick. It’s almost impossible to cite specific writers and bloggers because it’s nigh-impossible to figure out what thought is original.

Case in point, Jim O’Donnell, a sports and media columnist for the Daily Herald, said “A second straight NCAA Men’s Final Four featuring four 1 seeds would be like opening a birthday card and finding a $5 gift certificate to Domino’s Pizza inside.”

This third Sunday in March is almost as anticipated as the upcoming NFL draft. That the top seeds might eventually find their way to the Final Four, won’t deter millions of folks and gamblers from obsessing over who makes and misses the cut later today.

Eventually, I’ll fall in line with the other lemmings and fill out a bracket or two, but my excitement is already tempered by the transfer portal and NIL nonsense, not to mention the media will do their best (or worst) to sell the public on worn out stories. Regardless of who they are coaching at the moment, I’ll never root for Patino, Calipari or either of the Hurleys and by extension of the “schools” that employ them. As someone who has lived in the Midwest the past 60+ years, I’m expected to care about and root for the Big Ten teams, no matter how loathsome the coaches and schools. I’m more likely to pull for the mid-majors within four hours of home.

Somebody, whose name I never noted, suggesting filling in the final four and working one’s way back, especially if that final four is as obvious as people think. That might be the smart way to go, but I think the majority of betters and bracket experts will play hunches. I’ve made the mistake of picking with my head and not heart, and I don’t think I won it all, whereas picking with my heart has been more fun, if not unhealthier.

At the very least, I’m just glad I didn’t get any gift cards to Domino’s.