Farewell to the Madness.

The last blog of March Madness...and what a long, strange trip its been. As we speak is currently tied at 36 with 17:25 to go in the game. If this ends up being the last tournament in the 64-team era...it will certainly rank as one of the best. Several great stories....Michigan State grinding its way to Indy despite injuries, Duke returning to glory quietly while this seasons louder, younger seeds fell by the wayside...one of those being Kansas who was the one team most of us agreed on would do well. Kentucky realizing that Karma is also spelled with a K or in this case...a C as in Calipari...and of course the Hoosiers-esque story of the Butler doing it.

Admit it....you were pissed as your brackets fell apart like Tiger Woods' credibility (what...too soon?) a part of you was loving all the drama that gave birth to the phrase “March Madness” I knew it was going to be crazy when on day 1, my boy Billy Newton lost a Final Four team. Then again brother...what were you thinking picking Notre Dame? Yeah, I thought I was being clever when I picked Villanova to come out of their region. I was vindicated though, by those Baylor Bears. What a great story there also.

Just a few seasons ago, 2003, Baylor's program was on the brink of extinction. Allegations of drug use and recruiting violations combined with the murder of a player by a teammate and a coach trying to cover it all up brought out two words that, in Texas, have two meanings. The lesser known one refers to the 1988-89 SMU football team that was effectively shut down for two years and have really just recently recovered. The possibility was brought up in reference to Baylor which, given the history of their old SWC buddies, seemed shocking. Baylor was the good school. They were the school that the nice, smart kids go to that are just there for the good of the game and don't see a future at the next level. In football, they are still pretty much a doormat though they are making strides. Their women's team has been good, when the 6'9 freshman center isn't slugging her foes, however, the mens basketball team has made a name for themselves. Actually three names, Epke, Tweety and LaceDarius. Not exactly the ones you used to hear echoing around Waco...then again, the city is known for a kid named LaDanian so who knows.

10:46 to go....49-47 Duke.

Speaking of the Blue Devils....never a big fan. I respect their success and their coach but Coach K got a little sensitive this week when he went Cameron Crazy and whined about a picture in the Indianapolis Star that had a picture of him that looked like it was the object of a 7th graders graffiti attempt. They gave him a curly Rollie Fingers/Snidely Whiplash mustache, a little goatee, horns, glasses and a target on his forehead.

Really coach? Come on K....you play in the ACC where they offer courses on insulting your foes. Your beloved student section has done things like throw panties at players, told a referee “you suck dick” and thrown pizza boxes on the court. All of which are funny but don't get all pissy over someone doodling on one of your head shots when you have a bunch of lunatics at home.

6:50 to go.....56-51 Duke.

Major props to Bob Huggins. I have always liked Hug. He is a cross of Johnny Cash and Bobby Knight. To him its like “here's my team...I like them......you don't? Like you matter.” I love that! That was the way I was with my guys at Pike. We were good. We didn't try to be mean to anyone but if you attacked one of us, you attacked all of us and may God have mercy on you for doing so. I give props to Hug for that touching scene with his fallen player DeSean Butler. Butler had gone up for a shot and came down awkwardly. He was called for a charge (bad call but then again, they were playing Duke) and he blew out his knee. The poor kid was in tears because he felt he let his team and coach down. He cared more about them and that is what its all about. Huggins leaned down, told him he loved him and that he was going to be ok. Nicely done coach.

OK...Clark Kellogg is a tool. When you grab a guys arm and pull him down..that's not going for the ball. To paraphrase Sam Wyche..the kid from Butler's gonna live, but its still a flagrant (unless you're playing Duke) 58-55 Duke 3:16 left.

One last story...the story of Nolan Smith of Duke....yes Duke....even though I can't stand them, Smith's story is a nice one. His dad was NBA player Derek Smith who played in the NBA from 82-91 with 5 teams but was probably best known as a member of the 1980 Louisville team that won the NCAA title. After his playing days, he was an assistant coach with the Washington Bullets (that's Wizards to you kids, they used to be the Bullets) until his untimely death in 1996 of a heart attack while on a cruise with his family. It would be very special if the son could do what his father did 30 years later. If Duke has to win, then for Nolan Smith, I am happy.

Uh oh....49 seconds....60-59 Duke.

I wanted to give a big THANKS to Jonathan Huth for the “Mike Paceleo for Sports Radio” facebook page. Also a big THANKS to all the love and support I have received on that page. It means a great deal to me. Its nice to know that maybe I have made a positive effect on people. Thank you all. I'm chasing the dream and taking you all with me.

61-59 Duke...ball game. Glass slipper nowhere to be found.