The Madness of March, The Sweetness of April

Remember those dark days when I wasn't posting regularly to this blog. You know, that scary time that ended four weeks ago.

I won’t offer up a complete explanation of why I wasn’t posting – because I don’t really want to get too close to you people. (Some of you scare me.)

But, in summary, I was distracted. I will expound on one of the main distractions: College Basketball.

A little wojr back story: Like most children of divorce, my weekends were made up of my father, Papa Wojr, and I, doing father/son activities that would hopefully offset the large amounts of estrogen that I was exposed to during the work week. In order to accomplish this, my weekends were filled with sporting events and movies, especially James Bond films. I’ve already covered how my love of film is largely due to my Dad, but I don’t think I covered sports.

I’m not a sports fanatic, especially not on the level of my father or Broncatello. I know more than Reeves but that’s not saying much. My dad loves baseball, soccer and college basketball. While I have a great fondness for the Cosmos’ games of my youth, college basketball was the one that stuck with me. It probably was a factor for me going to Villanova.

However, since moving to California, I wasn’t following the sport as closely as once did. With the time difference and some lack of coverage, it was hard to watch the teams I liked out west (I hate the PAC 10 – don’t know why). I considered getting the satellite packages, but I’m a cheap bastard.

Last year, I started watching again with some interest. Villanova was having a solid year and made it to the Sweet 16. I got hooked again.

Thus, this year, I was a junkie. Not only was my Alma Mater one of the best teams in the country, they were the most fun to watch as well. The four guard offense was just incendiary. But it didn’t stop with Nova. I watched every game I could. Especially in the Big East, Big Ten, Big 12, ACC and SEC. Villanova was always no. 1, but I found myself rooting for West Virginia, Kansas (even though they lost me money), Oklahoma, and Ryan’s Alma Mater, South Carolina.

When I thought Villanova’s Allan Ray had his eye gouged out, I didn’t turn on the TV or looked at the Internet until the Selection Sunday presentation - two days later. It hit me that hard. But he was lucky and Villanova earned a #1 seed in the tournament.

The first four rounds of the NCAA Tournament were some of the most exciting basketball I witnessed. Villanova, who unfortunately didn’t play to their true potential in the tournament, lost in the Elite Eight to Florida, who eventually went on to win the whole thing (just like North Carolina last year). The Final Four, however, sucked donkeys (and not just because I hate Joakim Noah). Those three games were just boring, life-draining basketball. Plus, I was rooting for George Mason by that point.

Besides that final weekend of wretchedness, I must say this year was a joy for a college basketball fan. I won’t be able to see Randy Foye, Jason Fraser or, my personal fave, Allan Ray suit up as Wildcats next year but I do have one consolation prize.

My lovely boss attended the Wooden Award press conference this year and knowing my love for the sport & Villanova –

Well, she got me a basketball signed by the five male finalists, three of the female finalists and two coaches – including Villanova coach, Jay Wright. (Click to enlarge pics.)

Jay Wright
Villanova's Randy Foye
Syracuse Coach, Jim Boeheim (who kinda looks like Papa Wojr)
Duke's J.J. Redick (Winner of the Wooden Award)
Duke's Shelden Williams
Washington's Brandon Roy

Adam Morrison as well as three of the female nominees signed the ball also, but honestly I can't tell whose signature is who.

If you really need an Adam Morrison fix, go here. (Actually if you want a good laugh, go there as well.)

So, yes, my boss is cool. So is Papa Wojr. And so is Jay Wright.

And no, this won't be up for auction on eBay.

wojr  ¶ 11:16 AM