Dear Universe, You Suck.

Why hast God forsaken us? 

Photo by Richard Carson, Reuters

I really want to believe there's a terrific payoff somewhere down the road for the players, coach, and fans of Butler University Men's Basketball team because I'm left wondering just how the universe, in it's infinite and expansive wisdom, saw fit to allow, on one of the biggest sporting stages in these 50 states, the worst display of shooting a basketball there has ever been.  And it didn't happen to some anyteam at some random anytime... noooo.  What is now the most infamous of least prolific shooting nights was bestowed upon a fan-favored, unlikely underdog team, on the biggest stage of Intercollegiate sports events in this country.

Dear Universe, you suck. 

I understand that Connecticut's defense was aggressive and difficult to deal with, so is most any team's who make it to that level, but seriously? 18.8% total shooting percentage from the field?! I honestly believe that, had I played for Butler and U Conn had agreed to let me shoot undefended from beyond the half-court line, I could equal the accuracy of the Bulldogs last night. That, of course, is a ridiculous analysis but it IS equalled by the profound ridiculousness that is 19% from the field in the NCAA final. This had to be more than just players ineptitude, there must have been other netherforces at work. I doubt I'm alone in this assumption.

Nobody wanted to see Butler lose. Nobody wanted to see Butler play poorly, but what we saw was the equivalent of being forced to watch torturous things happen to a loved one.  In slow motion. 

Having played sports, been a fan of sports, and watched sports for the better part of 3 decades, and one who pays attention, I can spot trends. I could see in the first half one of those 'winners trends' and the signs of a Connecticut win. Seemingly a majority of loose balls, rebounds, and other assorted intangibles bounced Connecticut's way. Loose ball scrambles, bouncing off a foot or knee of multiple players and into the hands of a U Conn player. I recall a point early in the second half when a U Conn player inexplicably lost control of the ball as he was ready to jump for an easy layup, only to have a Butler player grab the loose ball and subsequently allow his own knee to free the ball from his grasp and out-of-bounds. It's those freakish little events that so often portend the outcome of a sporting event. Most people don't even notice them.

A vast sporting majority wanted Butler to win last night. A vast force in the universe seemed to conspire and see to it that most of us were grossly disappointed with the alternate outcome and forced under sheer optimism of recovery to watch. For this I call into question the God, Gods, or Universe. 

Perhaps there is a golden reward for this bunch of quality kids who study and play hard in Indianapolis. I just hope I live to see it someday, because then I'd know the Universe does truly seek balance.

Presidents Day

This is the Presidential aesthetic circa 1840:

Sweet Georgia Brown, them's some bomb-ass sideburns Marty. 

Judging by the entire coiffure, I'm guessing this photo was taken at approximately 4:43am.

Say It Ain't So Ryan, Say It Aint' So...

In a recent story by Sky Sports News, the writer asks whether 36 year-old Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs would possibly see his waning football days out in the United States via the MLS League.  Despite mentioning his favorable opinion of living in the U.S., he doesn't shed much light on whether he would seek gainful employment on the pitch.

As a fan of Giggs and an admirer of his career and talents, I selfishly would be thrilled to see him play his final season(s) in the U.S. so as to see the man live as much as I possibly could even if slightly past his prime. But, conversely, as a fan who appreciates his career and accomplishments, would certainly respect his desire to finish in storybook fashion, in England with the team who've employed his entire professional career.


So often, and perhaps as the nature of the beast, athletes tend to have a hard time knowing when to quit or how to exit gracefully. It is fully their right to play their chosen sport as long as humanly possible despite the public way with which their wares are so often shown to reveal a tarnish to the lustre of achievements past.


It is for that very reason that I support that rare player who, on their own terms, having fully enjoyed the fruits of their labor, can leave their beloved profession at a time when their skills are still evident and can easily be remembered fondly.


I salute Ryan Joseph Giggs and his decision (should it be) to not finish his playing career in the U.S. and see out his limited days in a Manchester United uniform. It is simply the way it should be and nothing outside of a storybook ending for this man's illustrious career would do.