From the opening shot, there was something special about Disney’s Paperman that really drew me in. Was it the beautiful aesthetics? Was it the moving orchestral arrangement that backstops the majority of the six minutes and thirty-two second run time? Was it the simple, yet poignant love story? I honestly didn’t know – I just sat there, entranced, as this Oscar-nominated short unfolded before me. (Paper puns. Ha!)
Paperman is the story of George, a 1950’s Manhattan business man who has a chance encounter with the woman of his dreams on a train platform. While at work later that day, he sees her in the building across the street, and goes to great lengths to get her attention, employing the help of hundreds of paper airplanes to no avail. Just as he’s about to give up, luck finally starts to go his way – and that’s where the real magic…
If you read the Miami Student this past week (I doubt any of you did), you noticed that I wrote a review for the movie Drive, a top 10 favorite movie of mine. It was a bit rushed and I couldn’t get quite as personal as I wanted to, so here’s the edit.
I love the simply-titled Drive, Nicolas Winding Refn’s 2011 moody action/thriller that warranted a standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival in which it premiered.
In a year that saw Ryan Gosling become a bona fide star, Drive was his best outing by a mile. The film opens with one of the most impressive chase scenes in recent movie history – in which our nameless hero evades police in a heart pounding getaway attempt, all the while listening intently to the exciting conclusion to the Clippers game on his radio. As strange as it is, the lack of dialogue and the intertwining police/sports radios works perfectly, and it sets the tone for how the rest of the movie will unfold.
The Driver has no background, no family, and no name. He’s a motion picture stuntman and mechanic by day, and an elite getaway driver by night. He falls in love with his beautiful, innocent neighbor, who’s husband is in jail and who’s son is in need of a father figure. On paper, this sounds like a train wreck of a movie.
In reality, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Refn saturates his stylistic film in sharp color contrast and extraordinary cinematography, highlighted by a pulsing, synth-laden soundtrack that steeps Drive in an atmospheric, 80’s attitude. The scene alone when the Driver takes love interest Irene (Carey Mulligan) and her son Benicio for a sun-soaked afternoon drive as College & Electronic Youth’s “A Real Hero” floods the background had me hooked. (A quick aside: I recently found out that Drive’s neon-bright aesthetics and deep color-contrast are due to the fact that Nicolas Winding Refn is, to an extent, colorblind. The reason the visuals are so dramatic is because Refn wants to be able to see his own work. It’s little touches like this that make me appreciate the effort put into the project that much more.)
The narrative is surprisingly fresh, even though Refn lets the camera do most of the talking. Good turns from Ron Perlman and Albert Brooks as the ruthless criminals showcase the cast’s talent, and Bryan Cranston’s likeable Shannon helps keep Drive’s wheels turning, even in the face of the slow, calculated approach that Refn takes to set the story up, which he adapted from the James Sallis novel of the same name. It is ultimately Gosling who sells it, however, with his earnest looks and collected, unphased exterior. He was the coolest man on the silver screen all year, and he lets you know it every time he cracks that half smile with the toothpick protruding. He probably doesn’t say much more than 200 words for the entire hour and forty minutes of run time, which makes his performance all the more powerful, a la the John Wayne, “man of few words” type of action hero. Whether it is his tender interactions with Irene and Benicio, his commanding presence in the midst of a job, or his go-for-broke desperation as he tries to right all wrongs in the last act of the movie, when the Driver speaks he demands our attention. And when he doesn’t speak, it’s the way he carries himself that does the talking for him. This is reflected in the scorpion on the back of his jacket, which is perhaps the greatest bit of mise-en-scene throughout the film; like the Driver, it is calm and shy until its life or environment is threatened.
In the end, it is the fact that he takes action and stands up for a chance at truly connecting with someone that resonates so deeply inside of me. “A Real Hero” is played for a second time at the end of the movie – when the Driver takes his stand – and it reflects his transformation as a character. The entire movie, Cliff Martinez’s score is comprised of touching works of ambient music, which parallels the Driver’s dark, mysterious background that balances with the hopeful nature of his budding relationships. It culminates in College & Electronic Youth’s anthem, as he has finally become what the lyrics indicate: a real hero to Irene and Benicio, and a real human being to himself and the world at large. The finale is heartbreaking and inspired, and I daresay one of the best conclusions to a film I’ve seen in a long time.
Drive very well might be my favorite movie of 2011. It’s criminally under-seen and even more so under-appreciated, as it came away with no major awards of any kind. Realistic and gritty, heartfelt and touching, Refn’s cinematic darling was one of the biggest surprises of the decade and it merits at least a few viewings. And luckily for you, it’s available on Netflix instant-watch. As we trudge through the post-awards season rut that is late winter, pop in the DVD and buckle up, because Drive is one heck of a thrill ride.
It’s election time in America, which is about as polarizing a topic as any to most people. There’s so much animosity from left to right that it’s hard to have a civil conversation with someone anymore. The state of American politics has gotten so out of whack in the last 30 years that it’s now nearly impossible for the untrained news consumer to decipher any trace of the truth in most major-media broadcasts. I could go on about the state of journalism in the U.S. (hint: there’s not much to be found in the middle) but this exercise in expression is going to focus mostly on this years highly-partisan election and why I’m voting the way I am.
I recently read an article by New York Times writer Bill Keller, in which he described how my Alma Mater, Miami University, is playing a pivotal role in the election. Not only is Miami located in the single most important state in the history of this country’s elections (the winning candidate pretty much has to have a big OH painted in their designated red or blue at the end of the day), but it also claims vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan as its most notable alumnus in recent memory. Keller artfully depicts the broad support of the Romney/Ryan ticket by the student body – indeed, my own fraternity proudly displays yard signs bearing the alliterative pair’s names in our front yard, where Ryan learned, lived, and shaped his future just 20 years prior as a member of Delta Tau Delta. As a fraternity brother of this year’s VP hopeful, my support and goodwill extends to him as the race for the White House draws to a close. That does not, however, mean that I will vote Republican this year.
To be blunt, neither campaign was run well, and neither did anything to sway my vote. Both sides reached new lows with flat out lies and attack ads that seemed to never end. From Republicans’ laughable claims that Barack Obama funneled $700 billion from Medicare to help pay for Obamacare to Democrats’ vast exaggeration that Romney will drastically cut funding for all levels of education to pay for tax cuts for the rich, there have been some major stretched truths that many people take as fact.
Yet somehow, the night before the election, I find myself preparing to check the box next to Obama’s name tomorrow morning.
I was raised in conservative Cincinnati by middle class parents who have no party allegiance, and attended St. Xavier High School, a Jesuit institution that values social justice and bears the motto “Men for and with others” with pride and dignity. That commitment to others is a strong factor in the way I think, and does indeed influence my political views, as I characterize myself as socially liberal and fiscally moderate.
I know a lot of people have said that the economy is the only thing that matters in this election, and that’s truly sad. I’ll be the first to admit, I’m not happy with the current state of the country. Overspending from a hope-happy president coupled with the most ineffective Congress in history has taken its toll in the midst of a crippling recession, the likes of which we haven’t seen since the Great Depression. Yes, I think that Mitt Romney would do a reasonable job getting America back on the international map, back in the black, and with a GDP that we can point at and be proud. His plan will streamline the American economy and get it on track in the long term. But it’s who he will step on to make it happen that I have a problem with.
The middle class has been shrinking for years, dating back to Jimmy Carter’s domestic mishaps and Ronald Reagan’s corporation-first attitudes. The poor have been getting poorer, and the rich have been getting richer. I don’t advocate class warfare, but I do advocate reason. There’s plenty of ammunition for both sides to debate whether trickle-down economics works or not, but I for one don’t buy it. Many business owners have gone on record as saying that modest hikes in capital gains and income taxes are highly unlikely to affect their investing in job creation. Giving more cuts to the rich, who in most cases have plenty of capital to invest before said cuts, does nothing but make their pocketbooks fatter.
But hold the phone – I’m not jumping in bed with the liberals that fast. Handouts aren’t the way to go either, and welfare reform is a must if Americans want to start taking any kind of liberal economic approach seriously. Overspending on an abundance of government programs has got to be halted, and focused for better use of the average taxpayer’s money. The bailouts, though necessary, cost trillions of dollars we didn’t have (if you’re a true libertarian, however, you let the banks and the auto industry go under – none of this “too big to fail” bull), and Obamacare was a check that was hard to swallow while writing. Restrictions on small businesses is another gaff, one that has left many middle-class Republicans howling in the wind and shaking their fists.
But in light of all of this, Obama and some of his economic policies have actually helped my family, as well as my dad’s employees, customers, friends, and their families. Because my dad pays for his employees’ complete care coverage, he is rewarded for his kindness (something incredibly few corporations are willing to do nowadays) by the new healthcare mandate in the form of a write off, and that’s money back in his pocket that he can invest in my education, the education of my brother Will, or in my brother Kurt’s trust fund to help set him up for living an independent life. Several of his customers, most of which are staunch conservatives, have begrudgingly admitted that because of his recent policies, they can now afford to keep their families covered, and in some cases now have enough money to send their kids to school for all 4 years of their college education. My dad’s company is finally starting to see some results after a 4 year period of economic turmoil, and the tool industry that was killed by Reaganomics is finally seeing some business return, albeit slowly.
Homegrown energy is another area that both parties are finally getting involved in. Both have good strategies for the short term, but ultimately we are going to have to get off of oil once and for all. Neither candidate wins my vote here, but if you want to know the direction we should be headed, and most likely will under a moderately liberal government, look no further than energy genius and Republican faithful T. Boone Pickens, who is one of Forbes’ 500 richest people in America. Pickens is the most brilliant mind on renewable energy that, for some reason, no one is willing to listen to. If you don’t believe me, check out pickensplan.com for the details. Because regardless of where you stand on drilling into oil reserves, coal, or other fossil fuels, they won’t last forever. I’m all for doing that in the short term, something that Romney strongly believes in. But in a few hundred years we’ll be back to where we are now, and we need to start preparing for the future, which is something I feel President Obama is more likely to do.
I could go into foreign policy and social issues, but it would be a waste of my and your time to discuss Romeny’s shortcomings in this realm. So on to the conclusion…
When it comes to the election, why am I going against the Miami grain and voting for the incumbent?
Well first off, Obama’s policies have created 3.6 million jobs in the private sector alone. Though not the 5 million plus that he lied about in a recent ad campaign, it is still a significant enough number that I give him credit, especially in light of the a Congress that dipped to a 10 percent approval rating this summer.
He’s going to uphold social values for every American, regardless of race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation. Tolerance is something this country is severely lacking in, and I firmly believe that “All men are created equal” isn’t just a proverb on a piece of paper. Withholding rights from women and gays in the matters of abortion and marriage isn’t just wrong, it’s immoral. You disagree with me on the grounds of your religion? That’s great, buddy. But I disagree with you by thinking that Church and State should be duly separated.
And I think he will be the more likely than Romney to reach across the aisle and try working with conservatives, liberals, and independents. I don’t have any evidence to back this up, so I could be completely wrong – I’m not afraid to admit that. But judging by his moral fabric and character makeup as compared to Romney, I think Obama is more committed to working with everyone to do what’s right for the majority of Americans, not just America’s bottom line.
I don’t agree with Obama on a lot of things, including the specifics of Obamacare, energy policies, his approach to both the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and his plan to deal with America’s crumbling infrastructure. If there was a viable, independent third candidate that had a real chance of winning, I would vote for him/her in a heartbeat. But I feel that Obama is the best choice for me this year.
The most important thing to remember, however, is that regardless of who wins the election tomorrow, the world will keep turning. You will wake up tomorrow, go to school or work, and four years from now, your life will be relatively the same despite the economic policy either candidate chooses to employ. So do yourself a favor – no matter which way you vote, inform yourself. Factcheck.org is a great tool to wade through the last minute BS that each side will sling, and a little bit of knowledge goes a long way in making informed decisions. And don’t get caught up in the partisan fervor. No matter if your candidate wins or loses, we’re all American in the end, and damn proud of it.
So I hope to see everyone out in the polls tomorrow. It’s a beautiful thing that you and I can vote whichever way we see fit, and that I can write this brief essay, without fear of being persecuted. We’ve been blessed with the right to shape our country tomorrow, so engage in your civic duty and participate in this great democracy we enjoy here in the United States of America.
There’s no sport quite like hockey. It’s a game that involves speed, finesse, and aggression – and sometimes that last attribute comes to the forefront in the form of a well-placed haymaker. Of the countless fights that are seen in the NHL over the years, these are 20 of the best that have ever been captured on camera.
John Wensink vs. Minnesota North Stars (1980)
We start things off with a bang as the Boston Bruins make short work of the North Stars. Wensink gets some quality shots in on Alex Pirus, and after taking two refs a good 25 seconds to separate the two, Wensink skates towards the Minnesota bench to see who else wants a taste. No one takes him up on his offer – and quite frankly, I don’t blame them.
This “fight” – and I use that term lightly – is proof that the hockey gods keep close track of karma. Matt Cooke has compiled a laundry list of cheapshots throughout his career, and they caught up to him all at once in this Spring matchup between the Pens and Thrashers. Cooke goes looking for someone to drop the gloves, and Evander Kane is more than happy to oblige with a healthy helping of his right fist.
Mick McGeough vs. Darcy Tucker (1998)
Darcy Tucker was a well-known enforcer that racked up well over 1,000 penalty minutes in his 14-year career – but it wasn’t he nor the Pittsburgh players he squared off with that earns this fight a spot on the list. The real star was referee Mick McGeough, who had enough of Tucker’s antics and literally threw him off the ice, much to his teammates’ dismay.
Krys Barch vs. Brad May (2008)
Hockey fights aren’t always about bad blood. Many are about sending a message, and plenty of bruisers have respect for one another. In addition to his boxing prowess, Barch displays his sportsmanship as he warns May that he’s about to trip over his glove. They then proceed to connect with plenty of solid shots for upwards of 40 seconds.
Mark Tinordi vs. Jason Smith (1998)
At first glance this bout might just look like your average heavyweight matchup, but it makes the list for one reason: Tinordi exchanges bombs with Smith all the while suffering from a broken nose.
As the final whistle blows and the teams begin to exchange punches, the ever-aggressive Ron Hextall charges down the ice to clean Felix the Cat’s clock. But the funny thing is that’s not what happens, as Potvin goes blow-for-blow with the bigger Hextall and arguably comes out on top in this epic goalie fight.
Quebec Nordiques vs. Montreal Canadiens (1984)
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veX55rLYAgQ]
Often referred to as the Good Friday Massacre, these in-province rivals wasted no time dropping the gloves in this bench-clearing playoff brawl. The bad blood reaches it’s boiling point as Quebec’s Louie Slegr KO’s Montreal’s Jean Hamel as the official tries to separate them.
Rob Ray vs. Steve Webb (1997)
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHNj5qxtn0A]
After an embarrassing showing by Webb in their previous fight, the scrappy Islander squares off with Ray once more. The result isn’t much different, but Webb trades a fair amount of fists with the Buffalo’s Boogeyman before succumbing to a vicious uppercut that sends him sprawling to the ice.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Boston Bruins (1986)
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhqUl13ltJ4]
This classic Original Six matchup has produced some quality fights over the years, but none have been as dramatic as this one. The line brawl that started was respectable itself, but the fun really starts at the 3:20 mark in the video, when Montreal’s Chris Nilan takes a swing at the Boston bench as he’s escorted off the ice. The benches clear, and the fight spills into the locker room hallway. Old-time, hateful hockey at its finest.
Anaheim Mighty Ducks vs. Calgary Flames (2001)
This four-part line brawl featured both goalies receiving cheap shots, igniting several quality tussles between the two clubs. Jerome Iginla proves he can do more with his mitts than just score, as 19 fighting majors are assessed when all is said and done.
Jim Vandermeer vs. Aaron Downey (2005)
Vandy and Downey were both known quantities in the goon world, and they tested each others endurance in this minute long fist fight. Highlights include Downey pushing a ref away at the :43 second mark in the video, and Vandermeer leveling Downey with a hard left to drop him to the ice.
Aaron Downey vs. Jesse Boulerice (2006)
Just one year after his bout with Vandermeer, Downey makes his second appearance on this list in style. After crushing Aaron Ward with a clean check, Boulerice calls Downey out at the blue line – and finds himself on his back after a devastating, single cross from number 47. The crowd’s reaction says it all.
Pierre Bouchard vs. Stan Jonathan & Gilles Lupien vs. John Wensink (1978)
Any fight that draws blood is bound to be entertaining, and this one proved to be no different. The smaller Jonathan does a number on Bouchard’s nose as he takes him to the ice, painting the clean sheet red in the process. As that fight is broken up, Wensink makes his second appearance on the list as he manhandles Lupien.
Jim Schoenfeld vs. Wayne Cashman (1972)
As Boston’s Wayne Cashman skates to the corner to save the icing call, Jim Schoenfeld blasts him into the boards – and right out the zamboni doors. Taking objection to the hit, Cashman drops the gloves right there outside the field of play, proving for the second time on this list that hockey fights don’t necessarily have to take place on the ice.
Rob Ray vs. Dennis Vial (1996)
Rob Ray proves yet again that he’s not one to mess with, as he and Dennis Vial assault each other with reckless abandon. The match only lasted seven seconds, but the right cross that Ray lands on Vial as he pins him to the boards looked to rival anything thrown by a professional boxer, prompting iconic announcer Rick Jeanneret to scream, “Bring on Tyson!”
Soviet Union vs. Canada (1987 World Juniors)
Yeah, yeah… I cheated. This isn’t an NHL fight. But The Punch-up in Piestany was one of the greatest bench-clearing brawls of all-time and deserved a spot on this list. To put it plainly, the Canadian and Soviet hockey teams never got along. Stemming from the Summit Series of ’72 and the Flyers-Red Army game of ’76, the Canucks and the Ruskies reserved a special, on-ice hatred for each other that boiled over a decade later in the World Junior Championships. Featuring future NHL stars such as Brendan Shanahan, Theo Fleury, Sergei Federov and Alex Mogilny, these two teams cleared the benches and declared war in one of the wildest sports fights ever captured on camera. At one point the rink manager even turns the lights off, which does almost nothing to help the situation.
Detroit Red Wings vs. Colorado Avalanche (1997/1998)
Following Claude Lemieux’s cheapshot on Kris Draper in the 1996 Western Conference Finals, Detroit had its sights set on the Colorado right winger over the next year, biding their time until they could dish out revenge. It came 10 months later in the form of a Darren McCarty sucker punch to the side of Lemieux’s head in the first period of their final regular season matchup. As the benches cleared and Lemieux turtled, Patrick Roy met Brendan Shanahan at center ice in a head-on collision that sent the teams into a frenzy, and sent Vernon out to square off in what is considered one of the greatest goalie fights of all time. McCarty would go on to score in overtime to win the game, and the bad blood between the two teams was set. Just over a year later on April Fools Day, 1998, the two teams would brawl yet again. This time, Roy squared off with Osgood, much to the Joe Louis Arena crowd’s delight. The game ended with 46 penalties totaling 228 minutes.
Bob Probert vs. Marty McSorley (1994)
Two of the greatest fighters in the history of the game go at it in this epic, 102 second title match that saw Probert and McSorley bloodied and exhausted by its end. What really defined this one was the respect these two heavyweights had for each other, as they touch heads and exchange quick compliments when all was said and done.
After narrowly defeating the Rangers on December 23rd, words were exchanged between the two teams as things got heated and refs tried desperately to separate the arguing players – but it wasn’t the players who would go at it. Boston’s Stan Jonathan was hit in the face by a program that a spectator had rolled up, and Terry O’Reilly had his stick snatched up by a different fan. In what is now one of the most famous fan/player incidents in all of sports, the Bruins team climbed up into the stands and exacted revenge on those foolish enough to wrong them. Bonus points to Mike Milbury, who pulls off a spectator’s shoe and starts beating him with it at the 2:20 mark.
This game set the record for the most combined penalty minutes of any game in NHL with 419. Even more impressive? Almost all of them came in the last two minutes of the game. Taking exception to a cheap shot from Ottawa’s Martin Havlat just a week prior, the Broadstreet Bullies re-earned their 70’s claim to fame with some impressive line brawls. The buzzer sounded with only a handful of players on each team’s bench, but that didn’t mean that tempers had cooled; in the immediate aftermath, Flyers general manager Bobby Clarke had to be held back from going after Senators coach Jacques Martin. This brawl was truly one for the ages.
Well, those are 20 of my favorites. Are there any of your favorites I missed? Feel free to comment with any fights that you feel should have made the list.
I firmly believe that you don’t have to be close with someone to care about them. I also believe that you rarely realize the impact someone has on you until they’re gone. Sadly, it took me until Friday afternoon to realize both of these truths – that was when news reached me of the theatre shootings in Aurora, CO.
As I pulled up Firefox, I stared in disbelief; there was Jessica Ghawi’s picture on the homepage. I didn’t know what to do. First I denied it. Then I was filled with a heaviness, starting with my heart, eventually working it’s way through my entire body. Finally I just sat there and cried. I don’t know how long it was, and for the life of me I couldn’t figure out why it hit me so damn hard.
It’s actually pretty funny (and quite frankly, immature), how I first got to know Jess. During the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals, I followed Vancouver’s native Green Men on Twitter, and was checking out a few of their posts. As I was about to close my laptop, I happened across a picture they tweeted of Jessica Redfield, twitter handle included. In all honesty, I followed her because I thought she was cute! But as I quickly scanned her profile, her wit was obvious. Not only that, but her taste in sports, general likes and dislikes, and writing style and ability were all something I appreciated and thought of as being similar to mine – although I’m pretty sure she had me beat pretty handily in that last category. After reading a few of her articles and blogs, I gave her feedback and due praise, which she politely accepted. A few days and a few clever responses to her sarcasm-laced tweets later, I earned myself a follow back. Pretty soon we were commenting on each other’s posts on a regular basis. After a few weeks of this, I found a pleasant surprise in the form of a Facebook friend request from none other than Jessica Redfield. And wouldn’t you know it, just days later she started a quick chat with me.
The first thing I noticed when conversing with Jess was the sheer ease of it; she was a sweetheart with a sassy side, living up to her twitter bio that claimed she was in pursuing the perfect trifecta of “sass, class, and crass.” Lots of times, when you speak with someone new, the conversations feel forced and half-hearted, but not with her. She had a way of making you feel comfortable when you talk with her, the way you would with someone you’ve trusted for years. One day she was in a rush and gave me her number and told me she wanted to continue the conversation. I eventually sent her a slightly reluctant, trying-not-to-be-creepy text, Something along the lines of “hey, this is joe… from twitter? haha.” She immediately responded with a laugh and a “took you long enough.”
It went on like this for the fall and winter months, as we both juggled school and personal priorities while still finding time to talk on a regular basis. We discovered our mutual love of swing music, and I was treated to the story of how her mom once dated Bobby Darin, whose “Beyond the Sea” I just happened to be listening to at the moment. We shared our favorite Third Eye Blind songs, and discussed their live performances, as well as Stephan Jenkins’ songwriting capability and his failed relationship with Charlize Theron . We would argue which alcohol we were drinking at the moment was better, and what casual moves work best when flirting at a bar (I’m pretty sure my “cheek game” move won). We discussed the responsibility of professional athletes, and the excitement of great NHL goaltending, at which I was glad to hear she was appreciative of. I got to hear about the blunders and successes she had had interviewing hockey players, including one about a guy that was a little too cocky for his own good, trying to get her to go out with him after the interview (of course she denied him, and try as I might, she stayed professional and refused to divulge a name). She spoke with me about how Mike Commodore took well over an hour to do a quick twenty minute interview because he was just a great guy that enjoyed talking to her. It become apparent pretty quickly just how committed she was to journalism, sports, and her family, and those were just a few of the many things that come to mind.
These conversations grew in scope to encompass life goals, dreams, and ambition, of which Jess obviously had plenty. She would tell me about her apprehension and excitement about her move to Colorado and her new job covering the Avalanche, which I was especially envious of with them being the childhood team that I cheered for. Some nights as she was up finishing an article, we would speak about past relationships and worked our way up to a budding one for her, a Canadian hockey player named Jay, and how she was concerned about his career and health. One time she was even kind enough to speak with me about a major problem I have in my life, how to appreciate what I have in light of having an autistic brother. While it’s private, I’ll suffice to say that what she told me made my day and put a smile on my face that I carry to this day. Hell, sometimes we’d just talk about how much she missed her mom. And in June, we talked about how she narrowly escaped tragedy in the Eaton Mall shooting in Toronto. I shot her a text making sure she was okay, and we spoke briefly about how glad she was to be okay but how much she felt for those that weren’t so lucky.
That was the last time I spoke with Jess.
Honestly, I stayed away from watching coverage of the shooting. I guess I just wanted a little time to think, to reflect on what had happened. I actually just finished reading through the copious quantity of Facebook chats we had back and forth, and one particular conversation made me laugh harder and smile bigger than most. In it she humorously, if not truthfully, advised me against entering into the field of journalism, which she cautioned was filled with late nights and lots of coffee. Yet even if I didn’t listen to her warning she told me she’d be more than happy to help me with my writings any time I needed it, as well as stay in touch with her in case she could help with a job search. Well, one year later my major is journalism and I’m the film critic and a sportswriter for my school newspaper. I didn’t realize it at the time, but Jessica was arguably the most influential person in my decision to pursue journalism. And whether I decide to continue down that line of work or not, I’ve absolutely loved my last year of writing, and I have her to thank for that.
Looking back at that I started to tear up again, and then it hit me: she was my friend. How funny is that? I cared about someone I’d never met. But she had an impact on me, both professionally and personally. She had all the qualities I look for in a friend, it just so happened we’d never met face to face. The more things I read about her that friends and family posted on her Facebook wall, the more I realize just how lucky I was to be close to her from that far away. She always said if I found myself in Colorado that I had to look her up, and I said the same for her if she found herself in my neck of the woods. It’s sad knowing that’s a lunch I’ll never have.
The other day I caught a bit of The Shawshank Redemption, and the part came on where Red describes what he feels now that Andy is gone. Being several days removed from the tragedy, and the anger and sadness having subsided, I realize that he put it pretty well. “I guess I just miss my friend.”
I know I’ll miss the bright spot in my week that was reserved for talking with her. But I’ll be damned if I’m not glad she got to be a part of my life, and I got to be a part of hers, however small. I can’t imagine how her close friends and family must be feeling, and my heart and prayers go out to them. They had Jessica in their lives for 24 years, and I know they appreciated every second of it. I’m just glad I got to know Jessica in the brief year I connected with her.
So goodbye, Jess. We’re all going to miss you, and I think you’d appreciate this little post. Thank you again for all you did for me, and for just simply being my friend. Here’s to hoping that one day we can finally meet in person.
Okay, here’s the deal. I’ve been slammed with exams, papers, articles and quizzes all week, and I couldn’t get my Stanley Cup Playoff preview out in time. To all five of my loyal readers, I’m terribly sorry. At this point it’s a little late to be posting a preview, seeing as how the playoffs have already started (by the way, go Blues and Rangers!).
So yesterday while talking with one of my fraternity brothers, it became apparent to me that not nearly enough people take the time to actually watch hockey, writing it off as a sport they just choose not to understand. As a hockey player of 16 years and an avid fan, it’s sad that Americans don’t give hockey a chance – The NHL Playoffs is arguably the most exciting postseason in professional sports, and the Stanley Cup is without question the most coveted trophy in all of athletics. Even my housemates won’t sit down and watch the games with me. Thankfully, I was hit with inspiration last night…
A friend of mine forwarded me the “official” Stanley Cup Playoffs drinking game. While it was a good start, I felt it could be greatly improved with a little knowledge and a lot more drinking. So here it is; my “official” 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs Drinking Game.
Drink once if:
– A goal is scored
-Home ice advantage is mentioned
-Pierre McGuire gets giddy over something, or mentions he coached/scouted a certain player
-The Florida Panthers playoff drought is mentioned
-A penalty is committed
-Icing is called
-A play is called offsides
-Sidney Crosby is mentioned during a game he’s not participating in
-Don Cherry’s suit is incredibly tacky, but you secretly wish you had one like it
-Dan Bylsma and Peter Laviolette get into another shouting match
-Bad blood between the competing teams is mentioned
-A “Because it’s the Cup” commercial comes on
-Roberto Luongo’s ability or toughness is questioned (Bonus Drink if he gets pulled for Cory Schneider)
Drink twice if:
-Mike Milbury makes a backhanded or condescending comment (Bonus Drink if the “Shoe Incident” is referenced)
-Ovechkin/Crosby/Malkin scores a goal
-Overtime is forced
-Doc Emrick uses any of the following phrases/words: “Caught in the goalie’s paraphernalia,” “DRIVE(s),” “Knifed,” or “Squibbed.”
-A goalie makes an incredible save (apply at your own discretion, as a goalie myself I apply this rule quite liberally)
-Zdeno Chara looks awkward on his feet, yet makes a great defensive play
-Someone gets laid out (Bonus Drink if it starts a fight)
-Pavel Datsyuk dangles
-A goal is waved off
-The Eastern Conference one-seed curse is mentioned
-An empty-net goal is scored
Drink three timesif:
-Pierre McGuire says “Go have fun out there” to someone he’s interviewing
-A hatrick is scored
-A five minute major is assessed
-The “Ryane Clowe interference” is mentioned
-John Tortorella goes on yet another rant
-The Panthers lose a one-goal game
-A shorthanded goal is scored
-Any announcer fumbles with a player’s last name (Bonus Drink if Doc Emrick mispronounces “Lucic”)
-Doc Emrick adds a “y” to a player’s name (i.e. Timmy Thomas)
-An overtime goal is scored
Drink away if:
-A brawl occurs
-A team celebrates after a goal
-A player is shown crying
-The glass shatters
-A goalie goes all Ray Emery on an opponent or ref
If you don’t usually partake in puck watching, this should make hockey a bit more interesting for you. Good luck to your teams, and enjoy the playoffs!
*Editorial Note: Be safe. It’s not my fault if you decide to be a pucking idiot (see what I did there) and drive after playing the “Official” 2012 NHL Playoff Drinking Game. Be smart, moderate the drinking, and have fun!
In what was once North America, a teenage boy and girl are selected from each of the 12 districts that make up the fascist state of Panem to compete in the vicious Hunger Games. The Games, a punishment to the districts for past rebellion and a deterrent for future ones, is an annual endeavor that the sheltered, shallow citizens of Panem’s Capitol watch with great interest. Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence), a talented hunter from the poverty-stricken District 12, does the unthinkable and volunteers to save her younger sister Prim, who’s selected to compete, from certain doom. She joins fellow tribute Peeta Mallark (Josh Hutcherson) in a fantastic journey to the Capitol along with mentor Haymitch Abernathy (Woody Harrelson) and the eccentric Effie Trinket (Elizabeth Banks). As the games draw near, Katniss is forced to rely on her instincts and will to survive. But if she is to win the Games and make it home to her sister, she will have to make choices that will test her morality, humanity, and love for a boy she barely knows.
Rarely does a film do its written counterpart justice, and The Hunger Games is no exception – in fact, that is why the direction Gary Ross takes is so important. He leaves just enough out of the book to enthrall viewers who are not familiar with the world of Panem (this also cuts down on film time by quite a bit), but also keeps the narrative together and stays true enough to the novel to keep fans of the franchise pleased.
Jennifer Lawrence plays the part of Katniss Everdeen with a down-to-earth, shaky honesty, something she exemplified in critically acclaimed Winter’s Bone. Every conversation she has, every decision she makes is convincing, even if the “star-crossed lovers” angle she and Josh Hutcherson is not fleshed out nearly as well as it should be.
Woody Harrelson quietly carries Katniss and Peeta through the Games as Haymitch Abernathy, the oft-drunk and unreliable mentor responsible for obtaining sponsors for the combatants of District 12. Harrelson is a smart selection for the role as the film version of Haymitch is much kinder and responsible, and it helps to carry the movie more quickly to its final destination.
But perhaps the most underrated star of the film is Cinna, played by Lenny Kravitz, as the stylist whom Katniss confides in. Kravitz quietly and powerfully plays the small but important role, as her perfectly portrays Cinna’s optimism and confidence in his subject’s chances to win.
The cinematography is stunning, as Ross worked the PG-13 rating to the best of his abilities, using blurred and hurried cameras to seize the brutal nature of the Hunger Games without relying on gore to make his point. The film, though well-acted and directed, was never sure of itself. It balanced well between bleak perspectives and optimistic outlooks, and it couldn’t quite settle into a consistent tone; but, much like the tributes’ feelings themselves, perhaps it’s for the best. Without declaring its tone, The Hunger Games flows nicely along with Katniss’s ups and downs and allows the viewer to feel the roller coaster of emotions that each of the characters experiences.
In the end, the film deserves a three star rating out of four. All the elements are there for the movie to be thoroughly enjoyable and gripping, keeping the viewer on the edge of their seat wishing to see more of Katniss and her adventures. Though some might think of The Hunger Games as an American conversion of the much bloodier Japanese cult-classic Battle Royale, I don’t think the comparison is fair as each is great in its own right. The Hunger Games succeeds as the start to a fantastic series, and I can’t wait for the next two installments in the newest series to sweep the hearts of young Americans.
Music videos are a staple in popular music, mixing mediums in order to expand audience and airplay. According to the Internet Accuracy Project, disc jockey-singer J. P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson first coined the term “music video” in 1959, and in the past half-decade they have become synonymous with Top 40 hits. Unfortunately, most music videos lack imagination and consist of the artist singing/rapping in a generic party setting. But when done right, a music video adds to the music like a dry merlot compliments a juicy New York strip. Here are 5 music videos that I have found incredibly interesting and entertaining. Note that this list is by no means objective; they are simply the videos I find work best with the songs they represent, and display a severe degree of creativity.
5. OK Go, “Here It Goes Again”
OK Go was a surprise hit in the mid-2000’s, with a homemade choreographed dance to “A Million Ways” going viral in 2005. The follow up single “Here It Goes Again” followed the same pattern with a single take video of the band dancing on treadmills, and was produced by Swede Tore Johansson. Playing off the band’s funky image, the music video for “Here It Goes Again” was a huge hit and eventually won the Grammy in 2007 for Best Short Form Music Video, as well as Most Creative Video at the 2006 Youtube Awards. If you enjoy OK Go’s visual work, check out “A Million Ways” or “This Too Shall Pass.”
4. A-Ha, “Take On Me”
Oh how I hate this song. The whiny 1980’s vocals, steady drums and poppy, electric keyboard embody everything I hate about that decade of music. But damn if this isn’t a good video. Director Steve Barron employed a technique called rotoscoping, in which live-action footage is traced over frame by frame to the drawn characters realistic motions. The pencil sketch animation is added to nicely by the subtle shading shifts of each frame, of which there were about 3,000. The project took 16 weeks to complete and won 6 MTV awards in 1986. Apparently the last scene of the video is based on the film Altered States – who knew?
3. Weezer, “Buddy Holly”
Weezer found mainstream success throughout the last 20 years with smart lyrics and songs people could relate to, whether it be the getaway anthem “Island In the Sun” or the hope of a lavish lifestyle in “Beverly Hills.” But perhaps the group’s most interesting accomplishment was the video to “Buddy Holly” in 1994. With Spike Jonze directing, Rivers Cuomo and friends are inserted into a scene from the popular 70’s sitcom Happy Days as they put on a show at Arnold’s Drive-In for Richie, Fonzie, and the rest of the gang. Jonze does an amazing job of working Weezer into the show, with a “To Be Continued” break halfway through the video and the band conversing with Al after their performance. It feels like they genuinely belong in the show playing this song.
2. Michael Jackson, “Thriller”
This one’s completely expected by any self-respecting music fan. I’m not overly fond of Michael Jackson, but not many musicians found the level of success that he did in his career, not only with his music but with their accompanying videos. This 14-minute pop-culture classic tells the story of a young Michael Jackson who takes his date to a scary movie. She gets scared and leaves, so Michael leaves as well and they start walking home. As he begins to sing to her, a group of zombies surround them, resulting in Michael becoming a ghoul himself. He and a pack of backup dancing baddies chase her to an abandoned house where they corner her. Just as Michael grabs his date, she opens her eyes to find it was all just a nightmarish ordeal. The end shows Michael offer to take his date home, but not before he glances back at the camera with the glowing eyes of the were-cat creature from the movie that started the music video. It won the Grammy Award for Best Long Form Music Video in 1985, and won a slew of MTV awards. Also notable was the choice of John Landis (Animal House, An American Werewolf In London) to direct, as it was a rare thing for feature-film directors to foray into music videos at this time. In 2009, “Thriller” was selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress, with the Registry calling it “the most famous music video of all time.”
1. Miles Fisher, “This Must Be The Place”
Twenty-eight year old Miles Fisher, a Harvard grad, is a relative unknown to mainstream audiences of film and TV. But chances are you’ve seen him in more than one show. Fisher has guest starred in Mad Men, Psych, and Gossip Girl. He has also appeared in movies such as J. Edgar, Final Destination 5, and Superhero Movie (he’s in a quick segment as Tom Cruise; check it out below, it’s gold).
But what most people don’t know is that Miles Fisher is also a talented musician. His four song, self-titled EP was released in 2009 containing three original pieces as well as a cover of the Talking Heads’ “This Must Be The Place.” Three of the four songs have been made into excellent music videos, including “Don’t Let Go” with Phoebe Tonkin, but “This Must Be The Place” is far and away the best. Dave Green directs this four-minute and thirty-eight second homage to American Psycho, with Miles Fisher portraying Patrick Bateman in an eerily similar manner to Christian Bale. Almost every shot is a recreation of a scene from the movie, including his morning workout, the business card debate, the murder of Paul Allen, and the threesome with the prostitutes (I realize this might sound strange out of context, so if you haven’t seen American Psycho you should get on that). But the best part of the video is when the music quiets and Fisher asks the prostitutes if they like Miles Fisher, a direct borrow from the scene in the film when Bale asks if they like Phil Collins. As a film fan, one has to appreciate the effort Fisher puts into paying respect to one of the better psychological thrillers in recent memory
I’m sure there’s many other examples of creativity out there that I missed, so feel free to comment with the videos you think are the most innovative.
So I’ve been battling the flu and it’s raining out, which means it’s perfect movie weather. As I started to regain my strength today, I realized a few good brews might make the afternoon a little more fun. And if you know me, you know I have a tendency to make drinking games out of my favorite movies. It had been awhile since I’d watched them (and I missed the AMC marathon last week) so I decided it was time to pull out the Die Hard series.
First of all, if you haven’t seen all four Die Hards, you’re un-American – plain and simple. But assuming you have seen these Bruce Willis gems, you’re about to find a way to enjoy them even more. Last year, my housemate and I decided it was time John McClane had his own drinking game, and I’ve decided to share it with the world.
*Clarification – This game is compatible with Die Hard 1-4. Also, it’s not a good idea to try to watch the movies back to back while playing this game. Just playing the game to one of the movies will do enough damage.
Drinking Game Rules
1. Whenever John McClane takes a drink, you take a drink.
Pretty standard for any drinking game about a movie, and it happens very rarely. But don’t worry, we’re just getting started.
2. Whenever John McClane makes a smart-ass comment, you take a drink.
With this rule alone you’ll most likely go through about three beers. Almost everything that comes out of John McClane’s mouth is a wisecrack in these movies, and I couldn’t love it more.
3. Whenever John McClane yells/grunts/maniacally laughs, you take a drink.
At this point you’ll probably need a six pack for yourself. Almost anytime he blows something up, offs a bad guy, or has a near death experience, you’re sure to hear McClane utter some sort of nearly inhuman sound.
4. For each unnecessary bullet John McClane puts in a bad guy, you take a drink.
We like to call this one the “Overkill Rule.” Almost every time McClane kills someone, he deems it necessary to shoot the guy seven or eight times when once or twice would be more than enough. So for each extra shot McClane hits a baddie with, you take an extra drink.
5. When McClane utters the famous “Yippee-ki-yay mother f*****” line, you chug a full beer.
This can also be substituted with a shot (or if you’re feeling really adventurous take the shot and chase with the rest of your beer). After all, it’s arguably the greatest one-liner in film history.
By the end of the movie, there’s a good chance you’ll be thoroughly intoxicated, so be safe when playing. Finally, one of the greatest action icons of our time has a bad-ass drinking game to match. So grab some friends, put it up on the big screen, and enjoy!
If you know me, you know I don’t get my recommended dosage of college basketball throughout the year, but you better believe I make up for it every March. This year’s field of 68 looks to be rife with potential upsets, and America will watch on as the field narrows until one team wins their sixth tournament game for a national championship. When reading this article and filling out those brackets, don’t be fooled by my lack of NCAA basketball commitment. Keep my resume in mind: in 2008, my bracket finished first on Facebook out of my 1000+ friends… and I guess that’s all I’ve got. Those of you brave enough to continue reading and trust my judgment, I applaud you.
After extensive research, I’ve broken down each region with a guide to what upsets will be pulled and which powerhouses will survive, ultimately picking the next national champion.
South Region
First Round
1 Kentucky def. 16 Western Kentucky
9 UConn def. 8 Iowa State
5 Wichita St. def. 12 VCU
4 Indiana def. 13 New Mexico St.
6 UNLV def 11 Colorado
3 Baylor def. 14 South Dakota St.
10 Xavier def. 7 Notre Dame
2 Duke def. 15 Lehigh
Second Round
1 Kentucky def. 9 UConn
5 Wichita St. def. 4 Indiana
3 Baylor def. 6 UNLV
2 Duke def. 10 Xavier
Sweet Sixteen
1 Kentucky def. 5 Wichita St.
2 Duke def. 3 Baylor
Elite Eight
1 Kentucky def. 2 Duke
There won’t be many surprises in the South this year. Kentucky will cruise through their first two games, though Baylor and Duke might prove formidable. The only real upset of the first round in this region will be Xavier over Notre Dame. Xavier’s second round loss in the A-10 Tournament might leave many wary of picking them, but don’t forget ND’s equally unlikely second round, double-digit loss to eventual (and highly unlikely) Big East champs Louisville.
Wichita St. matches up very well with Indiana in the second round, though they haven’t had as much big game experience as the Hoosiers have had this year. Indiana’s offense has made a name for itself, but the top 10 shooting team that Wichita St. has put together behind the near 50% three-point shooting of Joe Ragland will give the Shockers a good chance at a Sweet Sixteen birth.
Ultimately, Kentucky will defeat Duke in the Elite Eight, who is just 5-5 against ranked opponents, to advance to the Final Four two years in a row.
West Region
First Round
1 Michigan St. def. 16 LIU Brooklyn
9 St. Louis def. 8 Memphis
5 New Mexico def. 12 Long Beach St.
4 Louisville def. 13 Davidson
6 Murray St. def. 11 Colorado St.
3 Marquette def. 14 BYU
10 Virginia def. 7 Florida
2 Missouri def. 15 Norfolk St.
Second Round
1 Michigan St. def. 9 St. Louis
4 Louisville def. 5 New Mexico
6 Murray St. def. 3 Marquette
2 Missouri def. 10 Virginia
Sweet Sixteen
1. Michigan St. def. 4 Louisville
2 Missouri def. 6 Murray St.
Elite Eight
2 Missouri def. 1 Michigan St.
The West will be won by high-powered offense and pressure defense, both things Mizzou does very well. Florida is on upset alert, as they limp into the tournament after losing four of their last five games (though two were to UK). Likewise, Virginia has lost three of their last four, albeit each of those loses were by three points to UNC, Florida State and NC State. However, tight D by UVA and foul trouble for the Gators will likely result in Florida heading home early.
Also watch for a second round match up between Marquette and Murray State. Though Murray State plays a much easier schedule, 30-1 with 40.6% three-point shooting is impressive no matter how you look at it. Though Marquette has played well with a 13-3 record in their last 16 games, a loss to LSU and double-digit loses to Notre Dame, Cincinnati, and Louisville have me worried about their performance in big games.
in the Elite Eight, Missouri will upset Tom Izzo and Sparty as the convincing Big 12 champions have a good chance to advance to their first Final Four appearance ever.
East Region
First Round
1 Syracuse def. 16 UNC Asheville
9 So. Miss def. 8 KSU
12 Harvard def. 5 Vandy
13 Montana def. 4 Wisconsin
6 Cincinnati def. 11 Texas
3 Florida St. def. 13 St. Bonaventure
7 Gonzaga def. 10 WVU
2 OSU def. 15 Loyola (MD)
Second Round
1 Syracuse def. 9 So. Miss
12 Harvard def. 13 Montana
3 Florida St. def. 6 Cincinnati
2 OSU def. 7 Gonzaga
Sweet Sixteen
1 Syracuse def. 12 Harvard
2 OSU def. 3 Florida St.
Elite Eight
1 Syracuse def. 2 OSU
Hold on tight, boys and girls. The east is going to be the most tumultuous region in the tournament this year. Harvard looks to make a surprise Sweet Sixteen birth, a rarity for an Ivy. They play Vanderbilt in the first round, a 40% three-point shooting team who always seems to find ways to win early round games in the tournament. But strong rebounding and man-to-man defense by the Crimson will give them a good chance to pull of an upset in Harvard’s first invite to dance in over 50 years.
But an even more surprising pick is Montana, who has won 14 straight but has yet to face a ranked opponent this year. They play Wisconsin, an overrated Big 10 team who is just 4-7 against ranked teams and owns two bad losses to Iowa. They will be the Grizzly’s biggest test this year, a match-up that clearly favors Wisconsin; just remember, games aren’t played on paper.
Unfortunately, Montana just won’t have the gas to beat Harvard, and Harvard’s Cinderella run will end at the Sweet Sixteen by the hand of Syracuse. The Orange have struggled as of late, as they were routed in the second round of the Big East Tournament by UC and have been played close by UConn twice. But don’t count Cuse out; they’ll shut down Jared Sullinger and the Buckeyes with that 2-3 zone that torments opposing offenses. Look for Syracuse to advance to the Final Four for the first time since their championship run in 2003.
Midwest Region
First Round
1 UNC def. 16 Lamar
8 Creighton def. 9 Alabama
5 Temple def. 12 Cal
13 Ohio def. 4 Michigan
6 SDSU def. 11 NC State
3 Georgetown def. 14 Belmont
10 Purdue def. 7 St. Mary’s
2 Kansas def. 15 Detroit
Second Round
1 UNC def. 8 Creighton
5 Temple def. 13 Ohio
6 SDSU def. 3 Georgetown
2 Kansas def. 10 Purdue
Sweet Sixteen
1 UNC def. 5 Temple
2 Kansas def. 6 SDSU
Elite Eight
2 Kansas def. 1 UNC
The biggest upset of the tournament could potentially come from little Ohio in the Midwest. With no wins against ranked opponents, the Bobcats will face an uphill battle against the Big 10 co-champions. Michigan’s young, athletic team will rely on Trey Burke and Tim Hardaway Jr. making plays from the outside. But like all young teams, Michigan will make mistakes (as evidenced by their loses to Arkansas and Iowa). The only chance Ohio has to pull out this momentous upset is to capitalize on the Wolverines’ turnovers; good thing they’re top 10 in the country in the steals and turnovers forced columns. If D.J. Cooper goes off, it could be curtains for Big Blue.
Purdue is a possible pick over St. Mary’s. Both are great three-point teams, but at the end of the day the Boilermakers are better in big games. They Gaels may out-rebound them, but Purdue will be safer with the ball and outlast St. Mary’s fast paced offense.
San Diego State is a team everyone loves to hate, as the Aztecs have been labelled as incredibly overrated and are on upset alert first round against North Carolina State. If they can outlast the Wolfpack, SDSU has a real shot at upsetting Georgetown to advance to the Sweet Sixteen. The Hoyas have a winning record against ranked opponents, but the Aztecs have been able to pull out close games all year. Also, it’s been five years since Georgetown has been past the second round of the tournament, so if history is any indicator they might be in for an early loss again this year.
Kansas should be able to pull out a quality win against North Carolina to advance to the Final Four. With triple-threat forward John Henson still questionable with a wrist injury, the Jayhawks should be able to ride their final eight regular season game wins to a Final Four appearance, rebounding from a second round Big 12 Tournament loss to Baylor.
Final Four
Simply put, the number two seeds Missouri and Kansas are no match for powerhouses Kentucky and Syracuse. The Tigers might ride their hot streak and conference title to the Final Four, but Kentucky is 8-1 against ranked opponents this year and before their SEC Tournament loss to Vandy, their only L of the year was by one point to Indiana. Anthony Davis will not be stopped, and Kentucky should find themselves in the National Championship.
Syracuse’s surprise loss to UC in the second round of the Big East Tournament has turned many fans and analysts against the Orange, but don’t forget they are 31-2. With a talented and deep bench and a strong center in Fab Melo, Syracuse looks primed for a National Championship run. Kansas is a great shooting team, but a 5-4 record against ranked teams is not the recipe for a title team. Thomas Robinson should perform well, but the Jayhawks will be no match for that Syracuse D.
National Championship
Talk about an even match-up. Kentucky and Syracuse are number one seeds with pedigrees that ooze success. Stats could be thrown back and forth to talk about which team has the edge, but at the end of the day it will come down to which team makes fewer mistakes. Turnovers and free throw shooting will be the deciding factors, and ultimately I think that Boeheim’s Orange will be more disciplined and primed for a run after an early conference tournament exit. Syracuse over Kentucky, 67-64.
Well, that about does it. Feel free to leave comments on which upsets you think I got wrong, or which teams should be in the final four. If you disagree with me, great – I find myself contradicting my picks all the time during the actual games. Though I might not be consistent, the excitement that March Madness delivers is. The unlikely upsets and unscripted drama the NCAA Tournament brings every spring should be no different this year. Buckle up, because the Dance is right around the corner.
jggoingglobal 