Fin

So there are folks like @rushthecourt and @ballinisahabit who have been covering college hoops proficiently and professionally. I have been honored to call them along with several others "blog mates" even though I'm not as technically knowledgeable and my modus operandi has always been to be as stupid silly as possible when talking about basketball. I remember during Bracket Busters week many years ago I was watching the Memphis/Louisville game. All Darius Washington had to do is make his foul shots and the Tigers would be in the Tournament. When Washington missed his final shot and broke down on the court I wanted to talk to someone, anyone about it. That got me started blogging. A few years later I approached some bloggers to do a weekly blogpoll. I only expected about 5 of them to participate but imagine my surprise when over 20 bloggers signed up. Then advertisers started e-mailing and began PAYING me for my blog. Then other bloggers began asking me questions and inviting me out to events. Then With Leather mentioned me, then Sports Illustrated came calling... Those were the heydays of my blogging experience and I thought (and wished) that it would never end.

Well, I guess all things good and bad do come to an end. So it is with some sadness I announce that I will not be continuing this endeavor going forward. There are a few reasons for this:

1) Work. For those who don't know I work in the Finance/Investment arena and the way the market has been and with my new responsibilities of managing even more money my work life has become all consuming.

2) 11 month old son. He's been kicking my ass. The time I do not spend at work is devoted to him. We can always sit down and watch college hoops but there is a big difference between watching and writing. As soon as my laptop is out he takes it and jumps on it. I don't know how other bloggers with kids can do it.

3) General malaise. I just don't have the same passion to write anymore, probably due to the first two issues.

So what I found out is that Twitter is more convenient for me to comment on basketball (or football or politics or cooking). That is where I will be found from now on. I may post here occasionally but don't expect it.

Thanks to everyone who has helped me throughout the years, like my West Coast posse! It's been real, it's been fun. And...

GO AZTECS

Eight is never enough

Virginia Commonwealth 72 - Florida State 71 Overtime

This is what it's all about. Both teams were neck and neck throughout the contest with Florida tying it at the end of regulation. Then with 7 seconds left in overtime VCU hits an EASY layup to move ahead 72 to 71. There were still 7 seconds on the clock and Florida State's ball but the Rams Jamie Skeen blocked any chance the Seminoles had to win the game.

If there were ANY lingering doubts about VCU belonging in the tournament (not likely at this point but still) they have now been erased with authority. The Rams have proven that they can blow out opponents or grind out wins. Borrowing from an old joke about VCU they didn't belong in the field of 64. They belonged in the Elite Eight, although some are saying they will be a sacrificial lamb lame for Kansas. And no matter what coach Shaka Smart is a wanted man after this is all said and done.

Demons: Exercised

San Diego State 68 - Northern Colorado 50

Yes. The California State University, San Diego Aztecs have won their first ever NCAA Tournament game. Yes, there were still infuriating moments such as this...



But hey, a win is a win. Temple is next. We can't really offer any keys to the game as we believe Temple is extremely similar to us in all aspects (even the bad ones).

Why we love the game

Northern Colorado 65 - Montana 60

On one hand you had two time defending Big Sky champ Montana Grizzlies. They've been to the dance before. They knew what to expect. They are the big boys on the block. On the other hand you had the Northern Colorado Bears (hey, it was bear on bear action). The Bears were the bottom of the barrel. Perennial laughing stock. Worst RPI in the country. Never came close to sniffing an NCAA Tournament bid.

That all changed last night. In a game that had some of us tearing up the Bears clawed and scraped their way to a lead with only 4 minutes left and would not let it go. There were Northern Colorado parents in the stands crying when they won the game. We had so many pictures that we wanted to post but we settled on the above. The Big Sky MVP and Northern Colorado hero who's shots singlehandedly lifted his team to victory, Mr. Devon Beitzel -





Welcome to March Madness, Northern Colorado. Have fun and revel in your time.

Don't mess with Texas. Unless you're Nebraska.

In a day of upsets who could have seen this coming? The Cornhuskers owned the team we said should be #1 until the last couple of minutes of the game. The Longhorns strength allowed them to come back in it but it was a little too late.

Well, one person knew Nebraska would win...

Exclusive: Gus Johnson to call SDSU/BYU game Feb 26

That's right, citizens. We already gave the guidelines on what would make this game epic. Let's hope that happens but if not it will still be awesome.

Go Aztecs.

Jimmer Fredette owns the night

BYU 71 - SDSU 58

Somewhere Spenser is laughing. So first, to all the Mormons out there. Chanting overrated to the opposing team actually insults your team. Your basically saying that the team wasn't good enough for that ranking and you beat a not so good team.

Anyways, we know that's a pot-kettle thing. Fredette was Fredette, torching us for 43+ points. And our problems came back to haunt us: poor 3 point shooting, missed shots in the paint. We knew that once the crowd got behind the Cougars when they made a run it could be over. Kawhi Leonard was fantastic as usual, but we needed near perfect performances by Gay and White. 20 and 1 is not so bad. Come Monday we'll probably be ranked #15 which isn't so bad either.

So congrats BYU. For one night we were the center of the college basketball universe. See you Feb 26 and in the tournament (MWC and NCAA).


(Credit: CBSSports.com)

What the hell was that?!

Seen during the Georgia / Vanderbilt match...



(HT: Ballin' is a Habit)

Red Reign part II

"Those Red Storm fuckers were just lucky against West Virginia. That ESPN talking bobblehead in a cheap suit can't pull that shit against us. We're the damn Hoyas!"
- Coach John Thompson, Georgetown

"Yes we can."
- Coach Steve Lavin, St. John's

St. John's 61 - Georgetown 58

Is St. John's a top 25 powerhouse in Lavin's first season? Hell no, but they do look good right now. Prediction: They'll get chewed up by mid Big East conference play.

No freedom for Ben Hansbrough

Kentucky 72 - Notre Dame 58

Notre Dame basically fell apart like smoked chicken in this game. With the score 42 Wildcats 40 Irish at the half Notre Dame came out in the second half and did... nothing. Except shoot 36% from the field and 26% from beyond the arc. There were so many missed shots by the Fighting Irish that the word "Really?" started being bandied about by a few of us. It was essentially like watching two different teams. On the other hand Kentucky was the same as a few days ago really. Inexperienced, dumb errors but this time were able to pull it out because of Notre Dame's mental collapse.


San Diego State 77 - UC Berkeley 57

"We've never been ranked, so everything is positive when it happens. We embrace it. We think we deserve to be there. I told our team today, I want to look on December 9 and see if we're still there."
- SDSU coach Steve Fisher

Oh yes, it is December 9th and you are still here. And we are speechless. On the road the Aztecs played an even more complete game than last time. And finally SDSU was on target with their three point shooting. In fact it was that aspect that put the game out of reach for Cal. The Golden Bears played a great game and we were right to fear Gutierrez. But in the end great defense and terrific perimeter shooting (can't believe we are saying that) won the day. Go Aztecs.

Post game analysis - SDSU/Gonzaga

Can't close games.
Horrible three point shooting.
Can't win the games they should.
No signature wins. Ever.
Dependent on other teams doing badly.
2nd tier recruits.

All those demons were exercised last night. At 1:30 am we discovered we had a good basketball team. A really good basketball team. At HOME Gonzaga only led once during the game. SDSU made the three point shots they had to make in the second half. And they closed the game by playing nearly error free basketball, outside of that charge call with 38 seconds left. DJ Gay and Kawhi Leonard can flat out ball. And the Aztecs leave Spokane with their first signature win.

Where are you now, Coaches Poll?

We're halfway there...

Hit it, Natalie...

(San Diego State has) all five starters returning from a 25-9 squad that reached the NCAA Tournament as well as the addition of a well-regarded group of freshmen and transfers. Already, SDSU has been included in several preseason Top 25 rankings. The university’s media relations department is calling it "the most anticipated season in Aztec basketball history."
- Sign On San Diego

From mainstream pundits like Katz and Vitale to bloggers like Collegehoops, almost everyone has the Aztecs ranked as one of the top 25 teams in the country. Even stalwarts such as the Associated Press Content has SDSU ranked at least a tad bit outside the top 25.

With their first ever national network prime time TV game on February 26th, 2011 these are heady days for the Aztecs.

We here at M2M have a new lease on life and a new mantra; We will not take failure. Not this time. Fuck you, failure.

We will also have a new addition to the M2M family. That's right, baby M2M. He should be screaming his way from Mrs. M2M's insides around mid December. Just in time for... SDSU vs. Wichita State? Yikes. Sorry kid.

The Wrath of Wake Forest

Captain Saavik: "Any suggestions, Admiral?"
Admiral Kirk: "Prayers, Mr. Saavik. Demon Deacons don't take prisoners."

At least we got one good game right.

We even teared up

Louisville was on the bubble. Their last home game of the season. Their last game in Freedom Hall ever. Facing Syracuse, the number 1 team in the country. And the Cardinals won.

Here's your miracle. Stand up and fight.

We sound like a broken record but this is why we love this game.

The game you should have been watching

Yeah, that happened.

1) Kansas State 65, Kansas 82

Although it was well documented how no one would be able to see this game, it didn't stop us. A number one seed was at stake with two hot teams battling it out. Unfortunately one team got mercilessly purified in the waters of Lake Minnetonka (NSFW).


Aw, you'll get us next time big guy

Kansas State hung tough with Kansas for the first half as the game quickly became a "who can foul out first" fest. Sherron Collins was a non factor for the Jayhawks while the Wildcats Jacob Pullen had somewhat of a mediocre game. The true ass rape came off of the Jayhawks bench in the second half. The announcers were shocked that they could do that to the Wildcats...



Oh yeah, Maryland beat Duke too.

In case you missed it

The final seconds of the Louisville/UConn contest...

You're welcome. This is why we love this game.

Damn!

A screen so good we had to slow it down...

Observed during the Indiana / Illinois match.

Richard "Digger" Phelps is our new man-crush

Preach on, preach on!

Good Lord he is neon white.

6th Avenue Heartache

Indiana and Illinois were tied 70 to 70 and Illinois has the ball with 4.4 seconds left.

4.4 seconds? What can you do with that?



That's what.

Enter Sandman

Against Boston College Virginia Tech was only up by 1. The Eagles had the ball with 9.2 seconds left. What could the Hokies do to get a spark going in Cassell Coliseum? To spur their team on to victory?

How about some Metallica?



Gives you chills, doesn't it? Congrats, Tech.