I’ve never needed a reason to get excited about the NCAA Tournament, but if I did, I have one this year. My alma mater, the University of North Texas has made it (as a fifteenth seed) for the first time in nearly two decades. They clinched their tournament berth by winning the Sun Belt Conference a week and a half ago (not breaking news, I know). I finally have my bracket picks, though, and I’m predicting some interesting Lone Star showdowns this year.

Although some hard feelings remain towards the Mean Green athletic department, I am still picking North Texas for some upset wins in the early rounds. Even I don’t see them getting past the Aggies, though. To some extent, my bracket this year is a slate of games I’d want to see and not so much what I expect to happen.

This year does mark a first for me. I have been filling out brackets since 1994, but this is the first time I am wagering any money on my picks. I convinced myself that the $10 in two separate office pools would not really mean the difference between paying the rent in April and living out on the street. It is about the price of a bag of cat food, though, so Yaz and Fenway should be wary. Some may consider it foolish to only fill out one bracket, but I say it is commitment and conviction, and perhaps a bit of laziness.

For anybody who's curious, here is my bracket:

 

Just wondering- did any non-alums pick North Texas for the upset over Memphis?

 

I’m hoping that this won’t be my last post for another three months. With baseball season upon us, I expect to be piping up much more frequently again, not that there wasn’t plenty to talk about this winter with the Mavs having one of their best seasons ever. If anybody was wondering, I’ve been very busy with work, balancing two jobs until recently. As of Monday, I am now working full time at the Fort Worth Star Telegram as the assistant supervisor for high school agate.

 

Although I work in the sports department of a major newspaper, my schedule usually has me at my desk and on the phone whenever there’s a game on so I rarely have the chance to actually watch a game live, even when it’s on in the newsroom. I am prepared for baseball, though. I didn’t get around to the big spring training post I had planned, but my mlb.tv subscription has been renewed, so I won’t be missing any of the action beginning in April. My post-game thoughts may not be as timely as they were last year, but on the bright side, I may be able to fit in more Dodgers games now that I don’t have to be at work at 7:30 in the morning.

 

And speaking of the Dodgers, Tommy Lasorda still has my support: Lasorda for Commissioner!