The big day--or, hopefully, the first of two big days--is tomorrow. The game is on at midnight here, which is actually sort of reasonable. I'll be celebrating my birthday tomorrow night, winning all of the dinars that my friends bring over for poker, and then watching Kansas take Marquette behind the shed.
So another reminder that if you want to talk Jayhawks during the game, I'll be here.
Kansas is the very, very popular pick right now among NCAA pundits, including pretty much everyone at ESPN.com. This makes me nervous.
It's amazing how comparatively little attention is being paid to the Syracuse-Texas game. Should be a good game, either team can win, Texas is the only one seed, TJ Ford is, according to many, the player of the year, Carmelo Anthony will be the third pick in the NBA draft, etc. But I think Marquette has captured attention because of the Kentucky beatdown, and because of Wade. And then there's this UNC thing.
Here are my thoughts on the UNC coaching situation:
--I've had this argument with a couple of my friends, but I think it was an incredibly classless move for UNC to put this all on the table this week. Doug pointed out to me that they don't have an obligation to anyone else, and I agree. But they have created a massive distraction, and most particularly for Roy Williams. Another friend said that this is a big week for them to scout and have all these coaches in one place. But I simply don't buy that the Final Four is the big showcase for UNC to make their decision. If KU loses to Marquette, will Roy no longer be considered for the job? Get real.
It was a selfish, self-important, stupid decision, and it is reason number one why I will never root for UNC against anyone again--even Duke. Maybe even Cincinnati. Well, let's not go too far.
Reason number two why I'll never root for UNC again is this incredibly tiresome business about the "UNC Family". Interviewing past players, talking about whether they would--OH MY GOD--go outside the family to find a new coach. Look, I'm as interested in what Eric Montross has to say as the next guy, but can we let this go, please? Are they interviewing Paul Pierce to find out what he thinks about Williams? I guess it's nice and warm and fuzzy that all Carolina alums love each other. But for Christ's sake do we all have to be subjected to it?
I'm not even stressed about Roy going. If he goes, he goes. Kansas will draw a great coach. I hope he doesn't go, but we'll survive and thrive. But UNC can kiss my ass for forcing this discussion this week.
I'm already getting nervous about the semis....
2:06:01 PM 
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