March 21, 2011
IOWA CITY, Iowa — Random thoughts on the Monday after the first weekend of March Madness…
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Here’s a short list of questions that got some “think time” during a spring break getaway with the family. I’ll offer answers in the coming weeks.
No. 1 – My daughter and I will soon square off in the Great Summer Scrabble-Off of 2011. I got kicked pretty good a year ago. I got kicked pretty good over break, too, even after jumping to a 2-0 lead in games and a small advantage in total points. So, the question is…can I rebound this summer or has my daughter — the voracious reader that she is — passed me for good?
No. 2 – The Iowa football team will begin spring drills in the coming days. As is always the case, the previous season including the victory in the Insight Bowl victory is ancient history as far as Kirk and the staff is concerned. It was fun, but like Rafiki in Disney’s “The Lion King” said so wisely, “It doesn’t matter…it’s in the past.” So, the question is…I wonder if fans of the Hawkeyes understand how difficult it is to put together a string of success like what Kirk and his staff have done since arriving in Iowa City a little more than a decade ago?
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So, the question is…is it possible that 19 is the new 20 for a team that plays and has some success in a major conference?
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No. 3 – I studied this year’s bracket a little more closely than in recent years. I did so because I wanted to see how many wins Fran’s squad will need to be in the mix to be “Mad” a year from now. Penn State, Illinois and Michigan State all received invites to the Dance with 19 victories. So, the question is…is it possible that 19 is the new 20 for a team that plays and has some success in a major conference?
No. 4 – Technology. Wow. So the question is…did the guys who created George Jetson really have this in mind?
No. 5 – By now, those who follow college basketball are well aware of the changes that have taken place with the television coverage of the NCAA Tournament. I don’t mind change, so I’m OK with all of it. I do have to admit, however, that it’s going to take a little time for me to get comfortable with Sir Charles Barkley offering insight on the college game. So the question is…is there anything better than the first week of Madness?
Go Hawks!