thegradstudent

Since I only get 6 channels and none of them are ESPN, I haven’t been as plugged into college basketball this year as I’d like to be. My pool picks are certainly suffering because of it. (Though really, did anyone see Wake’s loss coming? I’m still bitter about how far in the hole I am now.) At least my perennial favorite – UCONN – is looking very solid. I would really love to see a repeat of the double win in 2004, but I’ll be happy as long as the men don’t embarrass themselves like they did last year. I haven’t seen them on TV yet because the games have been blowouts not worth airing, but I’ve been quite content just watching whatever I can whenever I can. I’m so glad I got to see Siena, for example; I love their fast offense and their press, and what a game! I just wish the women’s games got air time on something better and more accessible than ESPN 2. I know I can get their games on the internet, but still; give some respect.

I also wanted to mention another aspect of the tournament: the commercials. In my opinion the top three commercial groups or series this year are:

1. The “Be Legendary” commercials that show some of the greatest highlights from years past and dramatize the long term grudges that emerge from them. They’re especially funny because they’re not entirely unbelievable.

2. The “most college athletes will go pro in something else” commercials. I know the concept is old but it’s still a great message and the new ones are aesthetically sharp.

3. The Sonic commercials, and not just because I love Sonic. “Good play everyone!” gets me every time.

I’m just very content right now, lounging on my couch with days of basketball ahead of me. This is way better than writing my thesis.