NCAA Tournament - South Region Preview

Here's a link to my East Region Preview in case you missed it.

First Round:

(1) Duke vs. (16) Play-In Game Winner

Duke wins big, still plays starters 30+ minutes.

Duke wins 98-56.

(8) California vs. (9) Louisville

Fraud conference (PAC 10) regular season champ vs. middling Big East team. Despite the fact that the Papa John's commercials are beyond irritating, I'll pick the 'Cards to win and Rick Pitino to make some waitress a lucky woman after the game.

UL wins 72-66.

(5) Texas A&M vs. (12) Utah St.

Utah St. is widely considered the last team in the field. Texas A&M has won in the opening round four straight years. I see Utah St. leading most of the game, but A&M pulling it out at the end.

Aggies win 67-65.

(4) Purdue vs. (13) Siena

As Carl Lewis would say, "Uh-oh!". Robbie Hummel's injury has really hurt the Boilermakers as evidenced by their putrid offensive output in the first half against Minnesota in the Big 10 Tourney. I guess I have to make the upset pick here, don't I?

Siena wins 64-56.

(6) Notre Dame vs. (11) Old Dominion

I really can't stand Notre Dame. I really want to pick against them. I can't stand anyone named Hansbrough. Not a fan of Luke Harangody either (and truth be told, ND has played better without him). Still, ND is just on too much of a roll right now.

Irish fight on, 76-67.

(3) Baylor vs. (14) Sam Houston St.

Baylor has Tweety Carter. Sam Houston St. has, uh, I have no idea. Next.

Baylor wins a shootout 88-80.

(7) Richmond vs. (10) St. Mary's

Another trendy upset pick. St. Mary's beat Gonzaga for the WCC title. Richmond almost beat Wake earlier this year (when Wake was good). I'll resort to the Dominant Mascot Theory. Spider beat Gaels. Per Wikipedia, The term in its broadest sense is used to refer to the Irish, Highland Scots (or Scots of Gaelic or mixed Gaelic descent) and Manx. Since this game would be played shortly after St. Patrick's Day, the Gaels would all be hung over.

Spiders spin a web, any size, catch the Gaels just like flies, look out! Richmond wins 58-54.

(2) Villanova vs. (15) Robert Morris

Poor Bob Morris, I don't think he'll be able to guard Scottie Reynolds. Even if he could, what about the other four players?

'Nova cruises 91-58.

Second Round:

(1) Duke vs. (9) Louisville

Originally, I had this pegged as an upset special. Louisville has the athletes that it would take to frustrate Duke, but I just don't think they have the discipline to play smart for 40 minutes. Duke has enough veteran leadership to outlast Louisville.

Duke advances 67-58.

(5) Texas A&M vs. (13) Siena

Billy Gillespie used to coach at Texas A&M. Paul Hewitt used to coach at Siena. As Nick Bakay would say, Push.

Aggies win 71-58.

(3) Baylor vs. (6) Notre Dame

Another Big 12-Big East slugfest. As hot as ND has been down the stretch, they will definitely be the fashionable pick here. Baylor plays mostly zone defense and ND is a good 3-point shooting team. Recipe for an upset? I think Baylor is able to use their speed to frustrate the slower ND team.

Bears win 74-71.

(2) Villanova vs. (7) Richmond

One factor definitely in Villanova's favor is experience. Scottie Reynolds & Co. have made deep tournament runs before. Richmond is far less experienced (last NCAA appearance in 2004). Here's where it shows.

Wildcats advance 78-66.

Sweet Sixteen:

(1) Duke vs. (5) Texas A&M

A good matchup for Duke. A&M is not the big, fast, athletic team it will take to beat Duke. If Duke doesn't beat themselves, they'll advance to the Elite Eight.

Duke wins 68-61.

(2) Villanova vs. (3) Baylor

Now we're talkin'! This will be an up-and-down game full of 3 pointers from Scottie Reynolds, Corey Fisher, LaceDarious Dunn, & Tweety Carter. A true smorgasbord of guard play. I think the 'Nova guards make one more play than the Baylor guards.

'Nova gets to face Duke... again. 76-73.

Elite Eight:

(1) Duke vs. (2) Villanova

Villanova absolutely ran Duke out of the gym in their matchup last year, winning 77-54. That said, Duke is better this year and their hole in the middle is not quite as pronounced with the improvement of Brian Zoubek and the emergence of the Plumlee brothers. Still, can Duke win when at least two of their big 3 of Scheyer, Singler, and Smith don't score? Heck, they barely beat a mediocre Georgia Tech team in the ACC Tourney final with Scheyer and Singler having off shooting nights. Duke haters, this is your game. Reynolds and Fisher lead 'Nova to an early lead and Duke just can't quite shoot themselves back in it.

'Nova makes it back to the Final Four, winning 73-64.

Well, we're halfway through the brackets, with Kentucky and Villanova making their way to the Final Four. Tomorrow, I'll try to make the bracket predictions for the Midwest and West Regions. Stay tuned!

NCAA Tournament - East Region Preview

Welcome to my NCAA Preview Blogs. I'll predict each region in a blog and then the Final Four in a separate blog. This way, you'll know who not to pick in your office pools....

The at-large field is one of the weaker in recent memory. All of the talking heads on ESPN had all 1 and 2 seeds advancing. Will I? Stay Tuned...

First Round:

(1) Kentucky vs. (16) E. Tenn. St.

Should be a cakewalk for the Wildcats. John Wall will spend most of the last 10 minutes of the game doing his dance for the cameras.

UK wins 101-64.

(8) Texas vs. (9) Wake Forest

Battle of the flame-outs. Both teams struggled mightily down the stretch. Both teams can't hit free throws. Hey, somebody's got to win, right?

Wake wins 71-70 because it would make my wife happy.

(5) Temple vs. (12) Cornell

Cornell is the trendy upset pick. They almost upset Kansas in the regular season. Temple beat Villanova. This should be a great game.

Temple wins 64-62 on a buzzer-beater.

(4) Wisconsin vs. (13) Wofford

Wisconsin plays ugly Big 10 basketball. But that ugly basketball beat both Duke and Maryland. Wofford's mascot is the Terriers. So they can't even count on the Dominant Mascot Theory.

Wisconsin Badgers the Terriers 68-51.

(6) Marquette vs. (11) Washington

Washington had to win the Pac 10 tourney to get a bid. Of course the Pac 10 tourney was almost as competitive as the 1995 NC State Intramural 'C' League tourney that we got robbed in on a crappy over the back call. Of course, Marquette lost at home to NC State, but now that's a quality loss!

Golden Eagles prevail 71-65.

(3) New Mexico vs. (14) Montana

Great mascot matchup. Lobos vs. Grizzlies.

I think the Fightin' Steve Alfords (New Mexico) win easily 81-60.

(7) Clempson vs. (10) Missouri

Each year, my ACC bias makes me pick Clempson to win a game or two and each year they lose. If this works, you owe me, Purnell.

Mizzou 67-61.

(2) West by God Virginia vs. (15) Morgan St.

While Morgan St. is well named, WVU is too good. As they say up there, Let's Go Mountaineers, Let's Go Drink Some Beers!

WVU in a cakewalk 88-55.

Second Round:

(1) Kentucky vs. (9) Wake Forest

Wake has the size to bang with Cousins and Patterson in Aminu, Woods, and McFarland. Wake has the speed and defense to keep up with Wall in Ish Smith and L.D. Williams. So it will come down to coaching. John Calipari vs. Dino Gaudio. Uh, yeah... sorry, dear.

'Ca..., er, Kentucky wins 87-63.

(4) Wisconsin vs. (5) Temple

First team to 50 points wins! This game might be a cure for insomnia, or it might be a classic tourney finish. I'll predict the former.

Wisconsin wins 52-48.

(3) New Mexico vs. (6) Marquette

New Mexico's best wins are against Texas A&M and Cal. Cal?!?!?

Marquette leads the Big East charge into the Sweet 16 67-65.

(2) West by God Virginia vs. (10) Missouri

Should be a very fast-paced game. WVU can handle the pressure, though.

WVU advances 81-71.

Sweet 16:

(1) Kentucky vs. (4) Wisconsin

They just don't have athletes like Wall, Cousins, Patterson, etc in the Big 10. This game is only close if Kentucky keeps it that way.

UK wins 76-63.

(2) West by God Virginia vs. (6) Marquette

These two teams met once in the regular season with the Mountaineers winning on a buzzer beater. WVU is playing better now and while it will be a close game, it won't be a Gus Johnson classic.

WVU prevails 66-59.

Elite Eight:

(1) Kentucky vs. (2) West by God Virginia

Now this game has the makings of a classic. The SEC champs against the Big East Champs for the right to go the Final Four. West Virginia's depth and defense will frustrate Kentucky. Will the Wildcats be able to withstand their first real test of the tourney against the veteran Mountaineers? I say John Wall starts to discover his inner Derrick Rose and wills the Wildcats to a Final Four berth.

UK advances to the Final Four 77-73.

It only remains to be seen whether John Calipari has to vacate this Final Four berth like his two previous trips. Only time will tell.

Next time, I'll preview the South Regional. Stay tuned!

Kick The Tires And Light The Fires! - Formula 1 and IndyCar Preview

That's right, faithful reader, it's time for yet another niche sport that I watch and you don't... open wheel racing. I got hooked on open wheel racing when I was a kid and ESPN was desperate for programming so they would show live Formula 1 (F1) races from Europe. As time went on, I began to watch the CART series race here in the US.

IndyCar Series Preview:

The State of American Open Wheel Racing:

Since the mid-'90s, open wheel racing in the US has fallen off the veritable cliff thanks to the disastrous CART-IRL schism. I mean, even Gary Bettman (commissioner of the NHL and generally reviled by everyone except his mother) thinks that IRL founder Tony George is a poor promoter and manager of his sport. Eventually, CART's business model failed and Tony George's deep pockets (thanks to his family's ownership of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway) prevailed. Well, thanks to a power play at the IMS board, Tony George is now out as the head honcho of the IRL, replaced by Randy Bernard. The series has struggled with sponsorships for the teams, and consequently, many teams are forced to accept lesser drivers who bring sponsors with them. Quality North American drivers like Graham Rahal, Paul Tracy, and Buddy Rice are rideless (at the present time) and backmarkers like Milka Duno have full season commitments thanks to the funding issues. After all, no bucks, no Buck Rogers.

On the track, the dominance of Target Chip Ganassi Racing (Dario Franchitti and Scott Dixon) and Team Penske (Ryan Briscoe, Helio (Dancing With The Stars) Castroneves, and Will Power) have been overshadowed by the marketing phenomenon known as Danica Patrick. She is a good driver, perhaps very good on the ovals, but the overwhelming amount of attention she gets (especially in her NASCAR foray) really does start to take away from those who might deserve it more. Last year, Dario Franchitti beat out teammate Scott Dixon and Ryan Briscoe for the championship in the last race in Homestead. Will this year bring new blood in victory lane or more Penske/Ganassi dominance? I'll break the series down by team...

The Contenders:

Target Chip Ganassi Racing:

Dario Franchitti (10):
The defending champ and Mr. Ashley Judd. He came back to Indycars after his disastrous foray into NASCAR in '08. He can win on road courses and ovals. He's won the Indy 500. Really has few weaknesses. Top team and equipment.

Scott Dixon (9):
The 2003 and 2008 series champ. Won the Indy 500 in 2008 as well. Like Franchitti has very few weaknesses. He did have a couple of accidents last year which may have cost him the title.

Team Penske:

Ryan Briscoe (6):
Lost out on the championship by mere points. Excellent on the road courses and getting better on the ovals. The likely favorite this year.

The Darkhorses:

Team Penske: Helio Castroneves (3) and Will Power (12):
Castroneves won the Indy 500 but struggled most of the rest of the season. Power is recovering from a broken back. He will be a force on the road courses but most likely not good enough on the ovals.

Andretti Autosport: Tony Kanaan (11):
Had a horrible 2009 season but is capable of winning on any track. Will the team give him a good enough car, though?

The Others That Can Win:

Andretti Autosport: Danica Patrick (7), Marco Andretti (26), and Ryan Hunter-Reay (37):
Danica can win on ovals, but is really bad on road courses. Andretti struggles with crashing. Hunter-Reay is in his first year with good equipment. He's won in the past on road courses.

Dreyer & Reinbold Racing: Justin Wilson (22):
He's dangerous on any road course and can and should win a couple this year. The big question is the quality of equipment he'll get.

Panther Racing: Dan Wheldon (4):
Good driver, just can't seem to get it done with this team.

Sarah Fisher Racing/???: Graham Rahal (67): Should be in a better car with a better team. If he ever gets with a top team, look out. Still crashes too much, especially on ovals.

Others of Note:

KV Racing: Takuma Sato (5), E.J. Viso (8), Mario Moraes (32), Paul Tracy (15):

Sato is an F1 vet. Viso and Moraes are young drivers who will be race winners someday. Tracy deserves a fulltime ride in the twilight of his career. Still has more personality and balls that the rest of the field put together.

The Predictions:

• Ganassi and Penske win 14 of the 17 races including the Indy 500 (I'll say Franchitti wins it).
• Justin Wilson and Will Power each win twice on road courses.
• Danica Patrick makes more headlines than anyone else due to her flirtations with NASCAR and ticks off drivers by doing so. She has one podium, three top 5s and no wins.
• Tony Kanaan wins a race, as does Graham Rahal.
• There is one surprise winner, I say Dan Wheldon at Texas.
• Scott Dixon edges Ryan Briscoe for the series title.
  

Formula 1 Series Preview:

The last two years have provided good racing on the track and political upheaval off of it. Cost cutting measures were proposed. Existing teams and manufacturers threatened a breakaway series. In the end, nothing happened. There is new management in the series, featuring former Ferrari boss, Jean Todt.

3 new teams have entered this year's championship. A fourth, American based USF1, could not produce their car in time. Last year's Constructors' Champions (Team Championship), Brawn Mercedes, have re-badged themselves as Mercedes GP. They managed to lure Michael Schumacher out of retirement. This is much like Michael Jordan coming out of retirement to play in the NBA. We'll see if Schumacher is the Bulls' Jordan or the Wizards' Jordan. Last year's champion Jenson Button switched to McLaren Mercedes. Two time World Champion Fernando Alonso has gone to Ferrari. There are many other changes up and down the grid. I'll summarize in the predictions.

The Teams:

Title Contenders:

McLaren Mercedes:

Jenson Button (1) / Lewis Hamilton (2):

Both Brits and the last 2 World Champions. Can they coexist on the same team? McLaren is famous for allowing its drivers to duke it out amongst themselves. McLaren had an awful car at the beginning of 2009, torpedoing Hamilton's chances from the beginning. If they get a good start, look out. Button leaves last year's champs and looks to stake his claim as England's hero... unless Hamilton does it first.

Ferrari:

Felipe Massa (7) / Fernando Alonso (8):

Like McLaren, Ferrari struggled at the beginning of last year. Massa missed the latter part of the year due to inuries sustained when a bolt from another car flew off and hit him in the helmet. Can he return to form? Alonso is a great driver, but impatient if things don't go as he expects them to.

Red Bull Renault:

Sebastian Vettel (5) / Mark Webber (6):

Vettel was the runner-up last year. He just could not overcome the overwhelming lead Button amassed during the first part of the season. He might be the favorite this year. Webber had reliability issues, both with car and driver last year.

Mercedes GP:

Michael Schumacher (3) / Nico Rosberg (4):

They are only listed as contenders in deference to Schumacher's amazing career. At 41, can he recapture the magic? Rosberg is a classic Schumacher #2 driver. There are no questions whose team this is.

Podium Contenders:

Williams Cosworth:

Rubens Barrichello (9) / Nico Hulkenburg (10):

Barrichello can run at the front in any given weekend providing the car runs well. Hulkenburg is a rookie.

Renault:

Robert Kubica (11) / Vitaly Petrov (12):

Kubica has won races for BMW in the past. Petrov is a rookie. Not much expected of him.

The Others

Force India Mercedes:

Adrian Sutil (14) / Vitantonio Liuzzi (15):

Sutil has run up front in some races. Liuzzi is a former Toro Rosso driver.

Toro Rosso Ferrari:

Sebastien Buemi (16) / Jaime Alguersuari (17):

Young drivers, both have shown promise.

Lotus Cosworth:

Jarno Trulli (18) / Heikki Kovaleinen (19):

Veteran drivers, new team. They'll get the most out of the car which probably won't be enough to get many points.

HRT Cosworth:

Karun Chandhok (20) / Bruno Senna (21):

Bruno is the nephew of F1 legend Ayrton Senna. Never heard of Chandhok. This team will be a veritable moving chicane in some races.

BMW Sauber Ferrari:

Pedro de la Rosa (22) / Kamui Kobayashi (23):

de la Rosa is a veteran test driver. The BMW name was only kept due to some weird rule. They'll struggle.

Virgin Cosworth:

Timo Glock (24) / Lucas di Grassi (25):

Glock is an F1/Champ Car vet. Driving for a new team will certainly test his patience.

Predictions:

• McLaren wins the Constructors' Championship in a close fight with Ferrari and Red Bull.
• Hamilton and Button take enough points away from each other for Vettel to win the World Drivers' Championship. Alonso also factors into the title fight. All 4 drivers are in contention at the final race of the season.
  
• Schumacher wins one race.... in the rain.
• Drivers complain a lot about the new teams being too slow and a race or two may be affected by them.
• All races are won by the top 4 teams (McLaren, Ferrari, Red Bull, Mercedes).

There you have it, the longest blog that you'll never read. Enjoy, kids, and as the great Murray Walker once said, "In Formula 1, anything can happen and it usually does!".

The ACC Tournament, A Preview and Retrospective

The ACC Tournament was always the biggest statewide cultural event of my youth. In school on quarterfinal Friday, most teachers would bring TVs into the classroom and allow the class to watch the games while doing the assignments. In the classes that didn't do this, most kids would sneak a listen to the radio. On Semifinal Saturday, no matter where I was or what I was doing, I had the games on the radio. Same with Championship Sunday.

Now this event has been diluted. The ACC expansion has added games to the tournament, now including a full day's worth of games on Thursday. Also, there is just so much more available to do, not just for kids, but adults, too. I guess, as I get older, the past does get romanticized a bit.

Throughout my time at NC State, the basketball team was horrible. I mean, putrid, disgusting, abhorrent, you name it. In the 9-team ACC, the 8th and 9th place teams played on Thursday night in what was termed the Play-In game. In my first 4 years of college, NC State played and lost all four Thursdays. That fifth year, State won on Thursday and it was one of the best moments of my college career actually watching State play on Quarterfinal Friday.

So, for those of you who didn't grow up here, when you hear the locals talk endlessly about the ACC Tournament, remember that for most of us, it's not just a game, or a weekend, but a bit of our cultural and regional identity.

Now, onto the predictions....

Over at the Average Guy's Sports Blog, there is a very in-depth ACC Tourney Preview, go check it out.

Here are my predictions, take them for what they're worth...

Opening Round (The Les Robinson Invitational):

Afternoon Session:

Boston College (8) vs. Virginia (9)

The team that nobody wants against the team that nobody can figure out. BC has managed a respectable conference finish despite having a roster filled with players nobody on their own campus would recognize. Virginia started very strong in the ACC and fizzled late in the season. With Sylven Landesberg suspended, the talent edge should go to BC. I expect big games from Reggie Jackson (Mr. March?) and Joe Trapani. I also expect approximately 37 fans to attend. BC wins 67-58.

Wake Forest (5) vs. Miami (12)

Wake has the definite talent edge. Ish Smith and Al-Farouq Aminu were both on the All-ACC second team. Wake has height to spare and Miami's best post player (Dwayne Collins) is likely out for the tournament. So this has all the marks of a blowout, right? Well, this Superman has his kryptonite. Wake absolutely cannot solve a zone defense. If the outside shot doesn't fall, then the offense bogs down completely. So Miami has a chance, but Wake is too good to blow it against the U, aren't they? Wake wins 73-61 in front of a great deal of their local fans.

Evening Session:

Georgia Tech (7) vs. North Carolina (10)

Welcome to the Les Robinson Invitational, Heel fans, I hope you enjoy your stay! Tech swept UNC, dominating the first half at Chapel Hill and holding on late and winning easily in Atlanta. UNC has a Hall of Fame coach and 7 McDonalds All Americans (even if a couple are injured), but they have been incredibly weak mentally and emotionally this year, both players and coaching staff. If the Heels show up ready to play, they could make a run. However, I think they've quit. GT with the sweep, 74-59. Tickets are plentiful and cheap from here on out.

Clempson (6) vs. NC State (11)

It wouldn't be the Les Robinson Invitational without my Wolfpack. The teams played once this year, with Clempson escaping late at the RBC Center. State has played better late in the year and it seems that Sidney Lowe has finally got his point across to the team in terms of the efficiency of the offensive sets and the effort on the defensive end of the court. Tracy Smith has been a consistent performer offensively all year, but Clempson is just not a good matchup for State. Clempson presses and State's guards tend to turn the ball over too much. If State can break the press, get the ball to Smith, and hit outside shots when available, they can win. But I don't think all 3 happen. The awe-inspiring power of Dennis Horner's flaming basketball tattoo just isn't enough. Clempson wins 67-64 and next year finally arrives for fans in Raleigh with the Harrow/Brown/Leslie or Cothron class.

Quarterfinal Friday:

This should be a state holiday in North Carolina. One of the greatest days of the year.

Afternoon Session:

Duke (1) vs. Boston College (8)

Duke has the better roster, better coach, and more motivation (potential number one NCAA seed). Duke ought to be a bit more at home in this ACC Tourney as there most likely won't be masses of UNC fans rooting against them at every turn. Duke rolls 84-61.

Virginia Tech (4) vs. Wake Forest (5)

This should be the most competitive game of the day. Malcolm Delaney and Dorenzo Hudson can flat out score for the Hokies. Hopefully, fans of both teams can make the atmosphere live up to the traditional ACC Tourney feel. An important key will be for Virginia Tech to keep Jeff Allen out of foul trouble and for Wake's L.D. Williams and Ish Smith to not only play tough defense against Delaney and Hudson, but to score some points of their own to relieve some of the pressure on Aminu. I think Wake wins in a nailbiter, 73-71.

Evening Session:

Maryland (2) vs. Georgia Tech (7)

The key to this game will be to see whether or not Maryland wears those grotesque yellow uniforms. Seriously, Maryland's backcourt of (General) Greivis Vasquez and Eric Hayes should dominate GT's guards. If Jordan Williams and Landon Milbourne can hold their own against Derrick Favors and Gani Lawal, then the Terps should win. Of course it took twin buzzer beaters for Maryland to beat GT last time. I'll say buzzer beating heroics are not needed.... yet. Terps 68-62.

Florida State (3) vs. Clempson (6)

Ah, the Bowden Bowl! Charlie Ward vs. Woody Dantzler! Chief Osceola vs. Howard's Rock! Oh, wait, this is basketball? This game is really an indictment of the ACC this year. FSU as a 3 seed shows how very weak the ACC is. Give them credit, though, FSU has won almost all of the games they were supposed to win, unlike many other ACC teams. Solomon Alabi is a good player, but not a great one. Heck, he's more Rodney Dobard than Douglas Edwards (look it up, they're both early '90s FSU post men). Can Leonard Hamilton eff up this free ice cream? Most likely, but it will not be in this game. FSU survives Trevor Booker and Clempson, 61-59

Semifinal Saturday:

Duke (1) vs. Wake Forest (5)

The NC private schools face off while their public brethren ponder the vagaries of the NIT. Next thing you'll tell me smoking as been banned in North Carolina restaurants... Anyway, I see this game being ugly and chippy, with at least three technical fouls called (I'm looking in your general direction, Chas McFarland). In a chippy game, generally, the more mentally tough team wins. Scheyer and Nolan Smith go for a combined 50 points and Wake misses enough outside shots and free throws to cost them the game. Duke wins 74-64.

Maryland (2) vs. Florida State (3)

Maryland swept FSU during the regular season by a total of 13 points. Expect another close game with Alabi and Singleton of FSU getting second shots and gatbage points to keep the game close. I think Vasquez' experience carries the day for Maryland in the second half. Terps win 70-68.

Championship Sunday:

Duke (1) vs. Maryland (2)

This sets up the dream matchup for the ACC, ESPN, and people who want to see the two best teams face off for the right to cut down the nets. The two teams split the season series, with Brian Zoubek having the game of his life in Duke's blowout win at home and Greivis Vasquez getting to mack on Erin Andrews after Maryland stunned Duke at College Park. The key for Maryland is keeping Duke from making the 4 or 6 point run into a 10 or 12 point run like they did in Durham. It will take a superhuman effort from Vasquez for Maryland to win. I think he has it in him, but Duke's depth proves to be too much for Maryland in the end. Duke wins 68-64. Your MVP will be Kyle Singler.

Of course, by making these predictions, I have ensured a Virginia Tech - UNC final or something of that sort. Have fun watching the hoops. Maybe Billy Packer and Mr. Cash will make a guest appearance.