Worlds Are Colliding (subtitled “The Puzzle”)
Worlds Are Colliding (subtitled “The Puzzle“)
By The Fillerbuster
The Cast 032019
SETTING:
Well, the PLAN was to write this after work on Tuesday. Unfortunately, I got sick and couldn’t even go to work. I crawled onto the couch to do work emails, and my big road trip of the day was getting the mail and getting the trash cans before falling in exhaustion. Then, the new plan was to write it in the evening came along. Still sick, mind not working. So, now we are at Wednesday evening (and all better now as it obviously was a 24-hour bug), with too much to share, a hard deadline of tonight in releasing my bracket, and not enough time on the clock. I was debating the puzzle theme before starting this, but with the sickness, it IS the theme, as I have to figure out how to compress this significantly to fit this in with one less day.
So, the solution is this. Only one evergreen item that bugs me this week, and speed version (one sentence only) through ALL the other sections. I have to get my opinion and any cleverness out in one single thought. No lists, riddles, limited numbers, and limited pics. Then, that leaves me about 45 minutes to break down this bracket.
Also, not really edited tonight…at all. Sorry.
So, more than other weeks it seems, I feel the need…the need for speed.
By the way, side note. For the next week, we will hear about people “beating” people at the bracket. Forget those people. I hope I miss every single game that is a reach. As long as my Elite Eight and Final Four are solid, you can have those early games.
EVERGREEN (topics that don’t fade away):
SUNDAY SUNDAY
Stop lying to us, committee. You say the conference tourneys matter, and we DO see their effect on who makes the field overall. But, I find the results during the weekend much harder to see. Especially Sunday. So, let’s just cut to the chase. Oh, I am fine with taking college hoops totally OUT of Selection Sunday if you promise to factor in results. Here is the deal. On Sunday, hours before the tournament, these three things happened:
- Auburn SMOKED Tennessee
- Cincinnati beat Houston
- Michigan State came back and beat Michigan
Now, what happened from those results?
- Auburn became a FIVE seed that plays one of the hottest Power 5 teams in the country, Oregon.
- Cincinnati, although playing in Ohio (weird, committee), got a SEVEN seed.
- Michigan State got a two seed, like Michigan, but will be playing the first ranked #1 seed as opposed to the fourth ranked #1 seed. Seems backwards and then some.
Anyway, I have too much to cover today to ramble on more about this, but although I think you did a pretty decent job on overall seeds and who made it and who didn’t, you didn’t account for Sunday’s results to any degree.
WEEK-FISH (current topics of interest in sports):
(all speed version/one sentence only)
NFL
- I feel like DeSean Jackson could have eliminated a lot of in between WR Diva stuff by just staying with Philly.
- When the Chiefs signed Tyrann Mathieu, they almost predicted that Tyreek Hill would get into trouble and they might need a defender who could also play a little offense.
- You have to wonder about where the “line” is when the Chiefs cut a RB for stuff, and their WR now has done worse stuff…to a kid.
- Part of me thinks that Nick Foles is a perfect fit in Jacksonville, and part of me thinks he is the 40th 80’s band to walk through the door, where we say “not ONE more one hit wonder, folks!!”
- I feel like Clay Matthews going to the Rams definitively defines the place as the place to try and get a ring.
- I feel like Suggs going to Arizona definitively defines the place as the place we are all most curious about how they are getting people.
- I was just getting into sales when Frank Gore started playing in the NFL, and that is a long time ago.
- Lots of teams thought about snagging CJ Mosely, but not sure any of the contenders felt like going 5/85 like the Jets.
- The tweets from future draftee AJ Brown about replacing Antonio Brown were quite funny, I must say.
- I am supposed to hate the Browns being a Steelers fan, but how can you NOT be excited for what they are building over there, with the EXCITING cast of characters they are doing it with?
- I am sure the Giants are more than happy about replacing that phenom with a suddenly journeyman receiver in Golden Tate.
- I think you can write an article either way, against or for Bell sitting out for a year with the Steelers and whether he got what he waited for.
- The Steelers quietly got CB Steven Nelson, and I LOVE that pickup, and it makes me think they might go inside LB now first round.
- How does Jordy Nelson not have a job and did we just go through a time warp?
- When it is all said an done, I think one of the brighter moves was keeping Teddy Bridgewater on the Saints roster.
- I am pretty sure we all knew well before the Dolphins that Ryan Tannehill was destined to be a backup QB, and now he is one with another team, and we still aren’t sure about the Dolphins QB plan assuming we are hoping that plan is NOT Ryan Fitzpatrick.
- How does Colin Kaepernick not get phone calls from all these bad teams with no QB plans?
- Speaking of career backups, please remind me again how the Jags didn’t know that Blake Bortles wasn’t one of those either?
- The “get back” coach from the Rams just got charged on sexual battery, and loved how no one except for Deadspin reported THAT.
- I have not been in the NFL, and I have not retired, but if I was doing either, I surely would have liked to go out like Mr. Ngata, on top of a mountain.
- I believe that the Raiders picking up Vontaze Burfict so fast is a sign they are returning to the old school Raiders with all of the thugs.
- Of course, Kraft will someone get out of this with no charges, as if we didn’t assume that would happen…and of course he is going to suppress evidence,, as if we didn’t assume that would happen.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
None this week…let’s keep moving to hoops
COLLEGE BASKETBALL:
Moved until the end
NBA
- Russell not only had a slightly warranted fan exchange that got one fan kicked out of one of the most moral arenas in the nation, but somehow got a second one booted for an OLD incident.
- Stop caring about the Warriors and internal problems, as I think we have a large enough sample size that they fix it in April-ish.
- The Bucks were down 20 at half and rallied to beat the Heat, but this was not even close to the Nets coming back IN Sactown to beat the Kings after being down TWENTY EIGHT.
- I was rooting for the Bucks outside of my 76ers and still am, but they need the UVA factor of Brogdon back for my full support (out 6-8 weeks).
- Giannis getting 52 against Embiid’s 40 was an epic late 80’s battle (Embiid won the game for the record).
- Not that he needs to be higher on any list to be a legend, but for the record, Dirk is now SIXTH on the scoring list and passing Wilt the Stilt on any list should be exalted.
- Someday someone will see the fifth straight triple double list, see Wilt, Jordan, Oscar, Russell, and Payton, and assume it is Gary, but it is Elfrid, and what a freaking list to join.
MLB
- All is well in my world when I read headlines that say “Tim Tebow reassigned to minors.”
- A one million dollar prize will definitely change the complexion of the home run derby contest.
- The high winds you heard the other day was originated in Philly right after Harper got hit in the ankle.
- (because they sighed)
- The high winds yesterday were from the same place, for a different reason, and sadness sighs of Trout not joining Harper with that monster deal.
- (if there was ONE player I would overpay in baseball, it would be Trout)
- Speaking of the Phils, I think I am with Carlos Santana, as I also would throw the TV down on the ground if my teammates were playing Fortnite DURING a baseball game I was in.
- (not sure if Harper plays Fortnite, but sounds like he will fit right into that culture, whichever side of the Fortnite equation he is on)
NHL
Let’s keep moving to hoops…
MISCELLANEOUS
- McGregor was arrested, and I hope someone is tracking this, as he is still pretty young.
- When Ronaldo got a hat trick this past week, I thought “how did that rape investigation just kind of vanish?”
- (I also got confused as to which team and league this occurred in)
- I am not looking it up, but I like The Players Championship, and I didn’t watch it this year because it was on Selection Sunday, and I feel like that schedule has changed somehow.
- (it does feel like they definitely chose the later option for March Madness this year…bridging on April Madness)
- And there was a hole in one on the legendary 17th!
- In case you care, the guy from prison who was drawing golf courses is doing very well for himself these days.
- Federer and Nadal have now played THIRTY NINE times, and I would have watched every single one of those had I had the bandwidth.
- If the given in our theorem is that the AAF is indeed a real thing, then this real thing allegedly now has Johnny Manziel.
- So, somehow the men’s draw stays a secret for the most part over the years, but the WOMEN’S draw is leaked?
THIS AND THAT (pop culture, Fillerbuster thoughts):
- The bomb cyclone totally ruined our Lindsey birthday meal plans (Revelry and Truffle Table), but the power being out got us to finally open that damn Game of Thrones puzzle her parents bought us years ago.
- So, instead of warming up on episodes before this season’s first episode, we are brushing up on geography of the show.
- I have decided that the best thing on PTO is having snow during it, but the worst is losing power and all restaurants and things being closed.
- I offered to go drive us around the city looking for places that were open, but I think that was half of me wanting to find something for her, and the other half of me just wanting to drive my beautiful 4Runner in a bomb cyclone.
- I thought about how it sucked losing TV, but then I thought of days like tomorrow during March Madness if it happened, and I felt immediately better.
- I think that losing out on great binge watching time is the biggest loss of WIFI and power.
- DIA even closed.
- In random reading, I don’t think I would have guessed that Hartsfield Airport has been the busiest airport globally for the last 21 years.
- Yes, The Bachelor was on during my last writing and I learned what I already knew-horrible, horrible show.
- I am sad people cheat on tests, but the whole Boston test scam thing at least made me smile because it busted two celebrities.
- When you ban a fan from an arena or stadium, how does everyone at every gate know which guy is banned by face?
- I got my haircut unfortunately by the same guy at Great Clips, meaning next time is Floyd’s without a doubt, the guy’s skills have gotten better, but the forced conversation is still painful (I like to fall asleep in the chair).
- I was supposed to have pics of Lindsey going blond this week, but apparently something happened at the salon and this couldn’t be done…not much more info.
- The Billions debut was as good as I was hoping for, and this is only Season 4, so there is still time to jump on board.
- After Season 4, Episode 1, you will have a new appreciation of Chaka Khan.
- And the Rounders reunion continues, as Season 3 brought you John Malkovich back as KGB from Rounders, and we got a good serving of Grandma in this new episode…epic.
- When you lose power at your new home as a new home owner, it is amazing the things you think of that you didn’t think of before having around the house.
- You can do your brackets and draft pools, as I am in a knockout pool, which is the greatest bracket game of them all…never seen another one like the one I am in.
- The St’ Patty’s Day parade was a fun day, but I was blown away by the limited crowd…I had shorts and sandals on, so it couldn’t have been the cold.
- Selection Sunday is one of my favorite hours in life each year.
- It is almost golf time.
- My wife is watching more house hunter shows these days, and they are keeping up with real-life murder shows suddenly.
- A homeless kid has received SEVENTEEN college acceptances, and that reminds me of the homeless guy I always saw at the YMCA, who saved enough money to enter once a week.
- Not sure how, but Dollar General is opening 975 stores in 2019, so cheapness is expanding.
- I have gotten past the days of “if I wouldn’t have done this, they wouldn’t have lost” days, but I will say that I had an oversight last Friday night and totally missed the FSU beatdown of UVA because of dinner with my wife.
- I heard someone say “business is business” at a work meeting the other day, and it reminded me of the Seinfeld skit I already told you about…people who use sayings that repeat words are adding absolutely nothing to the conversation (it what it is, etc.).
- What is crazy is now people come over to our house and LOVE helping us with this puzzle.
- Why isn’t The Middle by that singing chick considered a basketball, since people meet in the middle…just saying.
- I think The Refinery is my favorite place to go downtown if forced to go downtown, which was the parade day.
- I am pretty sure that 1-Up has about 30% of the games as 2-Up.
- 2-Up has Gyruss also.
- Whenever you see Sam Elliott in any movie, don’t you say “I wish I could be as cool as him.”
- Once again, I forgot to play PowerBall when it got to ridiculous figures, even though playing it for non-ridiculous figures sure sounds fine to me too…I don’t need extra motivation.
- I just head Chester’s (Linkin Park) last recorded song before he died, and not a bad tune to go out on, Chester…Cross-Off.
- I still don’t have the slightest clue as to why Arby’s says “for sandwiches” right after “we have the meats” now.
- That movie Us looks scary and awesome.
- I read in my gaming brief today that a Motel 8 owner in Vegas will make his hotel into a casino…of course he will.
- I am surprised they didn’t have a Super Troopers spinoff series right after the first one.
- How did no one think of that cool-ass GMC tailgate before this year?
TWEET OF THE WEEK:
THE BEST WORKOUT SONG EVER FOR THIS WEEK:
In a rush this week, Runnin’, Basic Needs, Defying Gravity still.
My workout song link is: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD2Mbw0Lo0WSKayzEsMHsaZpYJhdmalmM
QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
On like Chaka Khan (then sings all lyrics)
Wags from Billions in new one
I don’t want enough, I want it all
Breaking Benjamin
LINKS TO SAVE YOU TIME IN LIFE:
BY THE NUMBERS:
342, 207, 3, 801, 52, 1:24, 6
THIS WEEK’S LIST:
No list this week.
THE RIDDLE:
Answers from last time (no winners)
Most underrated glam rock song not on charts: Back On The Streets by John Norum
Most underrated guitarist: Vito Bratta (White Lion)
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
First, some random thoughts pre-tourney:
- An ex-Penn coach took 300k in bribes. 300k to a hoops school that sucks.
- I really thought THIS would be the year that Gonzaga would not confuse us before the tourney, but then they dropped that St. Mary’s game.
- How does Will Wade actually think he should still coach?
- The Buffalo coach signed a five year extension, and although it won’t work, very smart to just do it BEFORE they might make a run.
- Before Ernie Kent got fired from Washington State, I actually forgot he was AT Washington State.
- Texas didn’t make the tourney, but I am rooting for the health of Jaxson Hayes, as he is a possible lottery pick and GREAT NBA player.
- Screw this. I have about 45 minutes left to write. Let’s get to tourney talk.
FILL ER BRACKETS (just made that up)
- I am doing this just as much for me as much for you, as I am finalizing my brackets as we speak.
- I always do a rough draft bracket on legal pad paper, and that is fun for initial thoughts before my more extensive research.
- Let’s start up in the top right. The East. I have three upsets up that way early. Give me Liberty, Belmont, and UCF as lower seeded teams winning.
- With Liberty, I am less sold on Miss. St. than I am sold ON Liberty. I had them tabbed as an early exit midseason, and Liberty doesn’t change my tune.
- UCF isn’t really an upset special, but they are lower seeded. Love the big guy in the middle, have watched them several times, and I think VCU’s run was years ago.
- Belmont is very, very good, can score with the best of them, and is more consistent. MD is not any of those things. Belmont wins this and one more.
- People seem to think that LSU’s offcourt trouble will give way to a talented Yale team. That might be true, and I wouldn’t bet on it, but I still think LSU is too athletic for Yale.
- How adorable. Will Rick Sr. be sitting on the Minnesota side while his son coaches against his former employer? Maybe. Minnesota was great at home this year. I don’t see them taking out a talented Louisville team. So, give me Duke, UCF, Liberty, VA Tech, Belmont, LSU, Louisville, Michigan State.
- Duke will beat UCF, but it won’t be easy. Still, too good.
- VA Tech gets their PG back, people. Read the injury reports. Justin Robinson will get them past Liberty.
- Belmont will beat LSU. Yes, they will.
- Michigan State will take out a Louisville team either confused or tired from the Pitino showdown.
- Next round. Virginia Tech did beat Duke this season, and will also be at full strength. But, not at home, and South Carolina is closer to Duke, and Zion will win this one for them. Duke to the Elite Eight.
- The Belmont magic was cool, but Michigan State goodness will prevail.
- Duke-Michigan State. There is something weird here. I had Duke in my first bracket, and will have them in my final bracket, but here is my problem. MSU has lost players (Langford, Ward) and not missed a beat. Duke has lost Jones and Williamson and faltered. Still, with a “thin” bench, and Zion back, I can’t go against Duke. They have more top tier talent than everyone else.
- I haven’t totally talked myself out of Michigan State. Love their draw.
- So…Duke.
- Let’s go to the West.
- Gonzaga will roll first round.
- I don’t think Baylor has the patience or shooting to beat the Cuse zone.
- The game of the first round is in the West. Although Murray State vs. Marquette is a fun game, it kind of nullifies Ja Morant that he might be guarded by one of the other best guards in the land, Markus Howard. Fun matchup, but would have rather it be in the second round. Anyway, Howard is surrounded by better talent overall, but they have been in a funk lately. I like Ja to…rule for at least one game before they get beaten down by FSU. Give me Murray State.
- FSU is simply too big and too deep for Vermont.
- Buffalo, an offensive machine, gets a tired ASU or St. John’s team. Too much, not enough knowledge of this mid-major, Buffalo rolls.
- Northern Kentucky is a really good team, but they haven’t seen athletes or defense like they will vs. Texas Tech all year.
- I loved Nevada for a Final Four run. WHY are they in this part of the bracket, with all of my other dark horses? Ugghhh. Anyway, they win their first game.
- Next round.
- Gonzaga CAN shoot over the zone, and has the bigs to defend. They take down Syracuse.
- Ja Morant gets the weekend game on TV, but can’t deal with FSU’s size.
- Excellent defense vs. excellent offense and lesser size means that the former wins. Texas Tech over Buffalo.
- Michigan is a little bi-polar, and I DO think they could make another Final Four run, but getting Nevada in the second round is no good. Give me Nevada.
- Zags vs. FSU. Remind us of something? Zags have the goods to get it done. On paper, they ARE as deep as FSU. Also, this is in Anaheim, so Zags will have fans there. They advance, although I won’t bet against FSU in this one.
- Texas Tech vs. Nevada/ two of my Final Four teams pre-bracket, so NOT happy they are playing each other this early. I want to take my twins from Nevada, but Texas Tech is a pretty complete team that has gotten in a slight groove.
- Gonzaga vs. Texas Tech. It won’t be pretty, it won’t be what everyone wants, but sticking with my Selection Sunday pick of Texas Tech. Go-to player, great defense, well-coached, good athletes, and will give Gonzaga the close game they aren’t used to.
- East.
- Don’t start with the jokes. UVA will advance past a 16 seed.
- Oklahoma is very bi-polar. I have seen Ole Miss a few times and like them better this year.
- Everyone is on the Oregon bandwagon. Missing Bol Bol this time of year will NOW affect them outside of the pathetic Pac-12. Give me the beat up, but more fundamentally sounds Badgers.
- I get that UC Irvine is the sexy pick. They ARE good, but not experienced K-State even without Wade good. K-State will do it ugly, but will make the next round.
- Nova’s scariest game in this region, according to my bracket, is the FIRST game against St. Mary’s. After they do this one, I think they surprise people into the Elite 8.
- Purdue will beat Old Dominion, but I don’t expect much else from them.
- Cincy is playing Iowa IN OHIO. Not sure how the committee figured this one out after seeding them terribly, but OK. Give me Cincy.
- Tennessee will not have a letdown vs. Colgate.
- UVA vs. Ole Miss. Not a problem. Love their draw. UVA.
- I don’t trust Wade’s overall health, and I like Happ to carry the Badgers to two games. Badgers.
- Nova has the coaching, the free throw shooting, the shooters, the guards, and the experience to beat Purdue. Out manned and only seeded this way because of their weird year.
- Yup. Although this A) is not the team I thought I would do this against and B) the team I will use as my Final Four team for Bracket B (only pick two (one with UVA winning and one with the team that beat them winning)), but it is in Ohio, and Cincy is TOUGH. They advance over Tennessee.
- UVA vs. Wisconsin. Here is the thing. UVA has the missing ingredient this year. Hunter. He makes everyone gel and gives them athleticism and COMEBACK capability. This is different than last year. Salt and Diakite can guard Happ. UVA advances.
- The home magic runs out. Nova is the better team over Cincy.
- UVA vs. Nova. This is a year that UVA actually has the horses over Nova. Too much Jerome, Hunter, and Guy, along with the fact they can match their outside shooting.
- UVA Final Four. Weird. What I root for and what I think actually have come together. Worlds have collided.
- Midwest.
- UNC. No problems in first round.
- Utah State shows what the best team in the Pac-12 is missing with other good teams.
- Jump on my New Mexico State bandwagon, folks. All they do is win. They are experienced. They play an Auburn team that dies if it is off from deep. Upset city.
- Ignore all the hype about Northeastern beating KU. Not first round.
- Iowa State vs. Ohio State is bi-polar vs. bi-polar. Better bi-polar team wins. That is Iowa State.
- Houston is good to beat Georgia State.
- Wofford. Sure you have heard about them. I don’t like their second round matchup, but love this one. They turn some heads by destroying Seton Hall.
- UNC vs. Utah St. Too big, too good of shooters, too much talent. UNC rolls.
- New Mexico State WILL beat KU in the second round before we all start talking about how KU gets to play UNC in Kansas City, which would be unfair.
- Houston was a very, very good team at HOME. And pretty good overall, but Iowa State will rise up on this one to beat them. Too much star power.
- I would love Wofford playing ANYONE else second round except for tall, lanky UK coached by Cal, who gets his youngsters ready at this time of year. Give me UK.
- UNC vs. New Mexico State. The party ends. UNC is too good, and remember that Roy will have a week to coach them up.
- Assuming PJ Washington is fully healthy, which I hope he is, UK wins this one with coaching. Week to get ready. Too much for Cal.
- UNC vs. UK. Blue blood battle. I really love UNC this year, but ironically they are inverted from their normal self. They can shoot it, but can’t bang down low. Give me UK to beat them up on the block and win this. UK Final Four.
- OK, I can break down everything further on later in detail, but give me Duke over Texas Tech, and UVA over UK. UVA over Duke to win it all.
CLOSING:
So, the puzzle is my Game of Thrones puzzle, your bracket, my bracket, UVA basketball, Belmont, Billions non watchers, house hunting shows, etc. Good luck in YOUR puzzle, and may one less winner of an office pool come from a non-basketball fan who chose favorite colors.
But, on finishing up the above part, the puzzle part gets jumped by Worlds are Colliding, a Seinfeld reference. This is the first year ever where what I think and what I root for are the same. Two years ago, I wasn’t sold, and last year Hunter was hurt. UVA over Duke. The most boring team with a bunch of choir boys over the guy who will break all shoe deal records. Worlds have collided officially. I don’t need my anti-UVA bracket. I just have the one bracket.
Here is a clip if you haven’t seen it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPG3YMcSvzo
That’s it for today. Hope you enjoyed or are at least more informed. Remember two things. First, feed yourself, feed your family, but always, always remember to…feed the wolf. Second, if you can’t spot the sucker in your first half hour at the table, then you are the sucker. Will I blog again? That is a CLOWN question, bro.
So, Wahoowa, folks. Worlds are colliding and there is nothing you can do about it.
So, I am going with what I chose on Sunday night and actually not changing a thing.
PICS:
And, in case you care about what I threw back in the pond, here you go…
THROW IT BACK |
magic ignoring coaches in free agency |
kerr says lip readers are wrong |
Chris’s ibaka fight |
lb anthony barr says no to jets, stays with vikings |
bills to add cole beasley and john brown |
LeBron Cavs pursued Durant after 2016 |
Dolan says msg banned |
Barkley says Durant not tough enough for nyc |
cheifs to trade dee ford to 49ers |
bears turner |
chargers Thomas davis |
mlb 1 year deadline |
ab goal is passing rice |
raiders add Williams to pair with brown |
warriors rockets |
Klay apologizes dub nation |
jags release bortles |
AP sign skins |
chiefs release berry |
ravens Earl Thomas |
stoneman Douglas coach resigns |
more horse deaths santa anita |
mickelson hired tutorial firm that was busted |
tiger players |
former espn adnan virk joining DAZN |
bears ha ha dix |
USC swann |
rivers boylen argue |
UFC fight night espn |
hinch suspended 1 game |
yanks cf hicks out |
ufc fighters fight post-fight |
bottos over hamilton GP |
Spence over Garcia boxing |
busch ties petty with 200th win |
lebron blocked, worst quarter |
lou williams first ever buzzer beater |
net is “sorting tool” |
nc state highest NET out of field |
espn plus now home to ufc ppv |
bengals cut Burfict |
duke heaviest favorite since UK 2014-2015 |
kershaw might not be ready for opener |
us womens tourney |
baylor women’s top #1 |
yanks sign gio Gonzalez |
women have bracket leak |
mlb salary raise minor leaguers |
steph hits 3/4 shot buzzer beater |
UFC resigns Dana white 7 years |
yanks betances on IL |
lauinta cerrone may 4 fight |
cards meet with murray |
tate martell eligbile for miami after xfering from ohio state |
Cowboys pick up WR Cobb
Astros extend bregman |
doc rivers on Lakers rumors going nowhere |
de bennett calls belichick yoda of football |
packers add smith, amos |
ravens losing most of their d |
saints sign latavius murray, end of ingram era |
Lamar 105 video |
hunt suspended 8 games |
santa anita problem |
rory wins players |
Billy’s Skippy burger |
new Zealand attacks 49 |
Netflix cancels one day reboot |