While I am taking the day off to watch basketball all afternoon, I will not be live-blogging the first round, the way I have the last couple of years. I realize this is a huge disappointment to about two people out there, but since typing on the laptop got me crippling muscle spasms in my neck and shoulder, it's just not worth it.
I do, however, want to get a few thoughts out there on record, before the MAryland game tips off shortly, starting with the fact that I wouldn't be all that surprised to see the Terps drop their game this afternoon to Davidson. When they play well, they have the talent to beat anybody in the field, but they also have the ability to lose to anybody in the field, as the two losses to Miami testify.
Other thoughts:
- My guess for the first top-2 seed to lose? Either Memphis or Wisconsin. The Tigers have a gaudy 30-3 record run up against basically nobody, while Wisconsin lost one of their key big guys a couple of weeks ago, and has been a little unsteady since. I wouldn't be shocked to see either of those teams go down in the second round. This, of course, means that they'll both make the Final Four.
- First #1 seed to fall? North Carolina might get Michigan State in the second round, and the Spartans traditionally play a very physical game that could disrupt the Heels, particularly if Tyler Hansbrough still needs to wear the mask. Other than that distant possibility (and it is distant), I think they all look pretty solid.
- The 5-12 upset pick: Old Dominion is the trendy upset pick-- some people have them making the round of 16-- and Butler has looked a little wobbly late in the season. That said, the trendiness of the pick probably means it's wrong, so I'd lean toward one of the others. Sadly, the most likely upset is probably Illinois over Virginia Tech, mostly because the Illini don't belong in the field, and the Hokies are flaky as all hell. Or there's Long Beach State over Tennessee, because nobody's picking that.
Anyway, the games are starting now, and I need to stop typing and start watching. More comments later, but for now, enjoy the games.
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Yeah! Dirtbag Bobby Knight is One and Done! Couldn't happen to a bigger dick.
Ohio St. beats Georgetown in the finals!
Maybe one of these laptop stands next year? They got a good review in a gadget blog I read, and though they're rather pricey, they seem to be cheaper than the other equivalents I've found (though maybe a bit less convenient to adjust).
Levengers sells little wooden things for your lap, with a pillow underneath. Mighty nice for working/typing while chaired, and even a mac laptop won't scald you through the wood and pillow! I think we got 3 for $40 or something.
Levengers sells little wooden things for your lap, with a pillow underneath. Mighty nice for working/typing while chaired, and even a mac laptop won't scald you through the wood and pillow! I think we got 3 for $40 or something.
The issue is my height-- I'm 6'6", so when I sit with the laptop on my lap, I have to duck my head to read and type. Doing that for a long period causes my neck and shoulder to lock up in a way that landed me in the emergency room a couple of years ago, and I've got a bottle full of zombifying muscle relaxants left over from last year's NCAA liveblogging.
The stand that Kate mentioned is designed to hold the screen up at eye level (or closer to it), which would probably help. Anything that leaves the laptop on top of my lap, though, is right out.