The NCAA Basketball tournament starts today (well, technically, it started before today with the “play-in” games, but who cares about them, unless you’re a Western Kentucky fan or something), with SU taking on UNC-Asheville at 3:10 PM EDT. UNCA is probably the best of the 16-seeds, so naturally, what with our starting center being ruled ineligible by the university to play, there is a great deal of speculation as to whether or not SU will become the first #1 seed to lose to a #16. We have the dubious distinction of being the first #2 seed to lose to a #15, having lost to the dreaded Richmond Spiders back in 1991 – a game I recall watching in the hospital when my mother had a triple bypass; oh, what a happy day – and I would just as soon not lose today. I’m still holding out hope that they will rise to the occasion and win the whole goddamn thing. Holding out hope, but not exactly holding my breath.

It’s supposed to be very warm today – perhaps as high as 77 degrees. That is truly amazing. And warm all weekend and into next week. I hate to jinx it, but I’m pretty sure the snow tires are coming off this weekend.

Oh well, for some reason, it feels as though somebody is sticking an ice pick – no, make that a flathead screwdriver – into the middle of my back. How pleasant.

It’s enough to make your head spin.