Mere Madness: Slice of Life 19 of 31
In March we talk basketball, basketball, basketball. My husband and son have been talking about it for weeks. I knew things had gotten out of control when our oldest daughter, Cortney, called last night for bracket advice. What has happened to our family?
Now it's important to know I hardly watch basketball. Yes, I sit in the living room during games and sometimes - only sometimes - I can tell you who is playing. I'm likely to notice all the crazy gear fans are wearing. I'm likely to notice the coach yell at the referee. I'm likely to notice a player trash talking another player, but the actual game I'm usually oblivious to.
This evening I headed out into cyberspace to find brackets to prove to my family that my lack of attention to the game could compete against their basketball knowledge. Yeah, I like to talk it up a bit. That's when I stumbled upon this post: The Non-Fan's Guide to the Watching the March Madness 2013 Tournament. I thought I'd offer my own advice for the tournament.
Top 5 Tips for March Madness Survival
5. Buy good snacks: No matter how bad the games get you'll have good food to eat. Maybe try a few of those Pinterest food pins you've been collecting. You've got the time.
4. Keep your computer charged: With your computer you can sit on the couch with everyone and appear to be watching every game - even throwing in a little commentary now and then - without really having to pay too much attention to it. A quick Google search will find any information you need. It's easy to add a little background information with Google at your fingertips.
3. Cheer on your conference: OK, I admit that when Charles Barkley started to belittle the Buckeyes and the Big Ten I got a little defensive. He went on about how the Big Ten was overrated and likely wouldn't do well in the tournament. Well, that got me a little fired up. It was similar to when someone starts saying mean things about your brother. It's a little personal. So I'm rooting for the Big Ten. Let's show Charles who's in charge.
2. Pick a Favorite Team: I remain loyal to my Buckeyes. I'm a graduate of The Ohio State University so I cheer them on throughout the tournament. Yeah, it's kind of easy to cheer on the Bucks. It doesn't matter who you root for during the tournament. You can root for the underdog, the top dog, your favorite mascot --- and you can change your mind about who you're rooting for whenever you want.
1. Make a bracket: Yes, challenge all the sport fanatics in your life to a little bracket challenge. Show them that brackets are as much luck as they are skill. Besides, it will give you something to talk about. The Non-Fan Guide suggests making more than one bracket so you can switch them when one starts to lose. I've never tried that, but I think I like the idea!
Luckily, I don't need your tips (we're both non-basketball watchers). But I approve of #1 in ALL situations! (I could use some chips right now...)
ReplyDeleteDitto what Mary Lee says. Good food is important in all situations, no matter what. :)
DeleteI think you have my favorite post of the night as my family sounds a lot like yours. One year I flipped coins for every pick but I didn't do too well. Alphabetical order works well, especially when Arizona and duke are in opposite brackets. I'm really liking the March Madness poetry at thinkkidsthink.com. Have you seen that? I play along with basketball but my family has to partake in a little poetry madness. :)
ReplyDeleteMelanie,
DeleteI like the March Madness poetry too! It's a lot of fun. I'm thinking this Slice of Life event is a little bit of March Madness too! I like the idea of flipping coins for brackets. For the most part I looked for names of places I had some type of connection with in the match. It's a very inexact science! Perhaps I could go through and pick the longest name in each contest, the school that has the highest population of students, or some other fun fact to compare. Hmmm, a new challenge for the event.
Oh my gosh, I need that website. I know nothing about March Madness (except for the state of affairs at school with so much indoor recess), or basketball for that matter. This made me laugh!! Thanks Cathy!
ReplyDeleteI love your advice! Everyone goes a little crazy about March Madness, but I'd rather just read, write or Google the random facts like you!
ReplyDeleteI will root for a Big Ten team. Just not The Ohio State University. :) Perhaps Illinois (my alma mater) will do something or Wisconsin (my husband's alma mater) will go far. Enjoy the tourney! Thanks for the tips!
Not OSU? Well, I guess I can understand since you're from Illinois, but I'm glad we will all be cheering on the Big 10. I really want to hear Charles Barkley have to revisit that topic.
DeleteGo Big Ten! I'm rooting for Illinois but want our conference to rock this tournament. :)
ReplyDeleteWe'll agree on "Go Big Ten." ;o)
DeleteI ADORE this post! Had me hooting! I was frightened when I saw the title and actually thought to myself, "Oh no, not Cathy, too!" I was worried that maybe you were a big bball fan...and I really liked you, too! Hahaha! I am the same way with all the madness and these are awesome tips! Thankfully there are no true bball fans here at home but someone gave me a bracket to fill out at school the other day. Maybe now I can at least try...or not. But I'll have good snacks, regardless!
ReplyDeleteLove it!
Trish
I'm a big disappointment to my family. I do my best to somewhat pay attention during the final rounds of March Madness. It's the best I can do.
DeleteWow...those survival tips sound like what I do when the television is on. I have never gotten caught up in the March Madness...but I did do a bracket this year....but really like the idea of making different ones. I have to admit I chose Indiana...only because half my family graduated from Indiana...my niece and nephew when to law school there...I grew up in Indiana (until I was 13)...and if they root for OSU in football...I root for Indiana in the March Madness. But all in all...it really does not matter to me and I will probably forget who is playing. You will survive.
ReplyDeleteI just went through and chose teams based upon connections. My brother lives in Arizona surely they'll win a game or two. Cortney's in North Carolina - we'll give them a game. You can see I completely understand your Indiana choice...at least it's a Big 10 school. ;o) I'll survive. I do enjoy watching everyone around the house get all excited about the event even if I'm not the biggest fan.
DeleteSuch helpful advice! I actually do like basketball, but I am not a big tv fan, and the idea of watching for days on end, umm, maybe not. But with your advice- snacks (bring on the guacamole and chips and a little chocolate!) and a charged computer (what better time to respond to slices, right), then a little rooting for the home team (CU and CSU are both in this year) and I'll be good to go! Thanks for the great ideas!
ReplyDeleteLove your snack ideas! I was thinking of maybe some Buffalo Chicken Dip, chicken wings, and some apple nachos to start things off.
DeleteMarch Madness is something I've watched toward the end, mostly because my mother loved it so. Each March, I remember her talking about the teams she was rooting for & some great play by a team. I'm nostalgic over it, but lose interest fast. It's funny that your family is so avid & you are not. I think you might be in charge of the nacho cheese dip...
ReplyDeleteI am sitting here now with my laptop, a bowl of ice cream and and a disappointed family as they flip between bb and hockey! Me, I'd much rather SHOP!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tips as the mall closed at nine and now I am here!
Cath,
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about this slice when I was watching the Ohio State Game on Friday night during dinner! The buckeyes kicked some but huh? Take that Charles Bark-too much