I love this time of year--the sights and sounds of March Madness! Like many others, I have my NCAA Men's Basketball Championship bracket filled out, with my ink pens at the ready to document both my correct (black ink) and incorrect (red ink) picks. Growing up in far Southwest Virginia, we only got two television channels and the two of them coming in clearly was dependent on the position of the antennae and how much wind was rushing over the mountain. My school colors were green and white, but my eyes were enamored by the blue and white uniforms, tough defense, and exceptional quickness of the Kentucky Wildcats. In high school, I settled on number 25 for my football jersey because of one Jay Schidler, a little known guard who was absolutely MONEY from long range. In 1978, this 11 year-old kid watched Kentucky win its fifth national championship and I have been a fan ever since, enjoying watching them add three more trophies since then.
It is unwise to make picks in sports from emotions and wise to make them based on who you believe is the better team playing at its peak. The last time I got the championship pick right was Duke in 2010. It has been a while since I have picked Kentucky to win it all, even though every year I hope they do. However, this year, I can pick Kentucky with both my heart and my head. They are super-talented and bring everything to the court that true fans wish to see. Of course, anything can happen (it is called March Madness for a reason). I have the Kentucky Wildcats over the Arizona Wildcats in the Final Four and Kentucky over the Villanova Wildcats in the Championship. Yeah, that's what you call a Catfight.
On April 6, I hope to be watching Kentucky win title number 9. However, if grandbaby number 2, due on April 7, decides to make his entrance into this world at that time, then the madness will just have to wait. I do love college basketball, but there are some things that I love more--my family is one of them. If you hear a roar soon coming from the northern Shenandoah Valley, then you will know that I am celebrating--if not for a national championship, then for the introduction of a special little boy. Either way, I will be cheering.
