ENG 417: Two Seasons Come To An End

I'm a N.C. State student and a UNC fan.

I know what you're thinking: how in the world can that be possible? I mean the teams are rivals. Believe it or not I've found a happy medium where I can pull for both.

That being said, the basketball season for both teams ended this weekend in the second and third rounds of the NCAA Tournament respectively. Since both my schools are out I'm out of the tournament as well: I'm no longer going to watch a single game for the duration of the tournament. I guess it's my way of biting back at the tournament which I've been more upset with this year anyway.

Why?

Well the tournament selection committee did a terrible job with its set up of the field this year. Looking away from the Pack and Heels for a second, Oregon (the PAC-12 champion) received a 12-seed to the tournament while UCLA (who didn't even win the championship) received a 6-seed.  I know the first argument against what I've said would be "you have to look at the whole season." Well, I thought Oregon played much better basketball than UCLA did overall.

Focusing back on State and Carolina, both should've received a higher seed in my opinion. The Pack had an underperforming year for sure but I didn't think the team deserved an 8-seed. Same thing with Carolina. The Heels had an up-and-down year but played really well heading into the ACC Tournament; where it finished as the conference runner-up to Miami (FL). Despite that, UNC also received an 8-seed in the NCAA Tournament.

The draws for both teams were horrible. The Pack had a pretty tough task playing Temple then, if it had won, State would've had to play the 1-seed Indiana Hoosiers. Same thing with UNC: the Heels played a tough (and surging) Villanova team. Carolina won that game and advanced to play the 1-seed Kansas Jayhawks. 

Now there are so many story lines that go along with that game. Perhaps the biggest storyline is the fact that UNC's coach, Roy Williams, had coached at Kansas before he left to come back to UNC. Believe it or not, there are apparently some "sore losers" who still hold a grudge 10 years later. 

The NCAA Selection Committee knew this yet it put UNC in that matchup with the Jayhawks. What's worse? The game took place in Kansas City, Missouri, right in Kansas' home turf. Obviously, most of the arena was full of Jayhawks fans, which made the already tough task of defeating Kansas even tougher.

When asked by multiple sources, the committee chair said that it was merely a "coincidence." I'm sorry but you can't sit there and tell me that was a "coincidence" and nothing more. The committee knew the history behind this game and the committee also knew this game would bring in an early ratings boost for the tournament.

I'm not trying to complain or make excuses as to why N.C. State and UNC lost. However, I do know something was fishy with the draw for both teams. As I've said before I'm totally done watching the NCAA Tournament this year. I know my measly little viewership is nothing to the NCAA but I'm mad as fire that my two teams didn't even get a chance!

Oh well, great season Pack and Heels. Can't wait for both of you to kick some butt next year!

And one more thing...

#ScrewTheNCAA

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ENG 417: March Madness Increases Productivity?

Photo: Getty Images

Now you finally have an excuse to have a March Madness bracket pool at the office.

According to an ABC News article written by Alan Farnham, evidence suggests that playing bracket games at work can increase your productivity. Two new surveys have also shown that employers' attitudes toward playing these games is turning more positive.

Farnham points out that One survey, found, in 2010, 22 percent of executives said they viewed March Madness activities, including watching games and betting, as having an adverse effect on employee output. Now that number has dwindled down to just 9 percent. The article also pointed out that 16 percent call the games' impact "somewhat positive" or "very positive."

According to the article, 1SaleADay, a Miami deal-a-day company that sells (among other things) watches, jewelry and electronics, permits Madness but only in moderation. Eli Federman, senior vice president, said he got fed up with what he called his employees' "frolicking outside the work context."

His solution? Replacing Facebook with an in-house program, called Yammer, which allows employees to communicate with other employees in the company. Federman's employees can talk about March Madness during the workday and he encourages them to do so.

"When they're excited, they work better," Federman said.

All in all, communal forms of slacking, such as water cooler chats, are very important for the productivity of the workplace. This includes watching and/or playing March Madness at the office.

"Very few people can sustain peak productivity throughout an eight-hour work day," said Tom Lutz, author of "Doing Nothing: A History of Loafers, Loungers, Slackers and Bums in America."

In other words, a little break from the typical strain of work can actually keep employees motivated and help them be more productive in the long run.

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Great Seasons

My salute for this week goes out to both the UNC and NC State men's basketball teams for great seasons. First, the Pack. Yes, even though I'm a Carolina fan, I'm a State student so I do pull for them too! I honestly thought this year would be a transition year for them under first year head coach, Mark Gottfried. They surprised everyone (including me) by pulling things together at the end of the regular season and ACC Tournament to make it back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in six years. They made it all the way to the Sweet Sixteen, where they lost to Kansas 60-57. Not too shabby considering where the team was last season!

Next the Heels. I've always been a Carolina fan first and that will never change, no matter what. With that, I'm so proud of the team for what they accomplished. At the beginning of the season, Carolina was the odds on favorite to win the title. Then injuries plagued them. It all started with Leslie McDonald and then Dexter Strickland soon after. Later in the season, John Henson couldn't play due to a wrist injury. He later came back to play but then, the worst thing imaginable: star point guard, Kendall Marshall, went down with his own wrist injury; requiring surgery that sidelined him for the Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight games. The Heels lost to Kansas 80-67 in the Elite Eight although the game was much closer than that!

I'm so proud of Carolina for fighting through all that adversity. Even though they didn't reach the ultimate goal, they proved they could fight through it and do the very best they could given the circumstances. Freshman guard, Stilman White, was phenominal after taking Marshall's place. Taking over the starting point guard duties and having zero turnovers while doing so was huge and he'll only get better throughout his career. Not many teams can have so much adversity and still do great things like this team did! I can't wait to see what next season will bring. It should be exciting!

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Not Done Yet

I'm going to keep this short and sweet...

After the injury to UNC point guard, Kendall Marshall, I've heard a lot of negative talk from UNC fans and other fans alike. Most analysts have also debated whether or not the Heels are done with regard to the NCAA Tourney. 

Here's what I have to say:

Sure Kendall is a huge part but he's not the only player on the team! It takes a team effort to win a national title so, if Carolina wants to win it all, they'll have to step up and do that regardless of whether Kendall is playing or not.

I don't mean to sound harsh here but, I'm sick and tired of all this negative crap! You have analysts and some UNC fans doubting the team's championship hopes while some other fans have been celebrating Kendall's injury (trust me I've heard them). Wake up people! UNC fans shouldn't lose hope and other fans who may be celebrating the injury are, in a nice way, ignorant and shouldn't even be in this conversation! Watch out because Carolina is not done yet!

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2012 Bracketology

It's that time again for March Madness! I'll probably be doing the most brackets I've ever done this year so, hopefully, I'll do well on at least one of them! So far, it's looking like I'll have a personal bracket to see how I stack up with the nation and a couple group brackets with some friends. That said, here are some of my picks for this year's tourney!

Second And Third Rounds
I'll start with the Second/Third Rounds as the First Four round will probably be uneventful. I don't have too many upsets, however, there are some games to watch out for.

• Iowa State vs. UConn: Although Iowa State is ranked higher than the Huskies, this is still an upset of sorts for me since UConn comes in as the defending champ. It'll be close but I think the Cyclones could take care of the Huskies in the Second Round.
• VCU vs. Wichita State: I'm a big fan of Shaka Smart and his coaching style, especially come tourney time. I don't think the Rams will have enough to make it all the way to the Final Four like last year but I do think they can beat the Shockers in the Second Round.
• Xavier vs. Notre Dame: This could be one I pay for in my bracket but I honestly think the Musketeers have what it takes to beat the Irish in the 7/10 matchup in the South.
• Virginia vs. Florida: This will be an interesting game to watch in the West. It could also be another one I pay for dearly on my bracket. Although they struggled down the stretch, I think Tony Bennett's team is no joke and they'll get to the next round.
• NC State vs. San Diego State: After being the last team announced on Selection Sunday, I think the Pack are going to upset the Aztecs. Although State struggled somewhat throughout the season, they had a strong showing in the ACC Tourney. If they play like they did in the ACC Tourney, they could go pretty far.
• Belmont vs. Georgetown: Last but not least, I think this will probably be the biggest upset in the tourney this year. The Hoyas do fairly well come tourney time but haven't been as good this year as in the past. Belmont, on the other hand, seems to really do well come tourney time. Let's also keep in mind that this Belmont team lost by only 1 point to Duke at Cameron. They'll be ready to go for this game!

Sweet Sixteen
You may be surprised at some of my picks for this round.

• In the South, I have a rematch of Kentucky and Indiana. I also have Baylor facing Duke.
• In the West, I have Michigan State taking on New Mexico. In the other matchup, I have Frank Haith's Missouri team playing against, yes, Murray State. I think the Racers' 30-1 record is no fluke and they will beat Marquette to play the Tigers in the Sweet Sixteen.
• In the East, I think Syracuse will make it to the Sweet Sixteen pretty easily, facing Wisconsin* in an intriguing matchup. I also have Ohio State facing Florida State in the other game. If the 'Noles can play like they did in the ACC Tourney, there's no doubt they'll go far.
• Finally, in the Midwest, I have Carolina getting to the Sweet 16 pretty easily as well, facing Michigan in one matchup. Then, Pack fans rejoice, I have NC State in the Sweet Sixteen facing the Kansas Jayhawks.

Elite EightLike every year, these games are really tough to pick. However, I'm pretty comfortable with who I have.

• South: Kentucky vs. Baylor
• West: Michigan State vs. Missouri
• East: Syracuse vs. Ohio State
• Midwest: UNC vs. Kansas

Final Four

Once again, it's so tough to choose at this stage of the tourney but I think Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio State*, and UNC will make it to New Orleans.

Championship Game

Why not have the two most storied programs in college basketball play for all the marbles? This would be the ultimate national title game for me and many other people I'm sure! In the end, I see the Heels getting revenge against Kentucky. The Cats are very good but very inexperienced as well. I think the battle tested Heels will prevail and win their third title in eight years!

*UPDATE: I've changed my pick from Southern Miss to Kansas State and Temple to South Florida in the Second Round. In the Sweet Sixteen in the East, I've changed Vandy to Wisconsin. Finally, with the loss of Fab Melo, I'm a little nervous about the 'Cuse getting into the Final Four. I may pay for it later but I've put Ohio State in New Orleans.

Click on the bracket below to check out all of my picks!

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Move On

I knew Twitter and Facebook would light up after the "no call" during Kendall Marshall's game winning drive to propel Carolina to the 69-67 win against NC State. However, hearing about the same thing for eight hours straight after the game is ridiculous (and annoying). Sure, it's quite alright to complain for some amount of time but whining about it now is neither going to change the outcome nor improve the look of Wolfpack fans on the college basketball world.

Here's how I saw everything from a non-biased, basketball point of view. The "no call" on Marshall's drive was right. If anything had been called it would have been a blocking foul because Alex Johnson of NC State didn't have his feet set and slid into position to defend Marshall at an angle. But some would argue Marshall lowered his shoulder when he came in contact with Johnson. Well, after viewing a replay, he actually didn't lower his shoulder nor pushed off. Plus, in late game situations like this, the officials are more than likely not going to call things like that. It's just the name of the game.

Then, there was the final desperation try by the Pack where the ball was up for grabs and NC State thought they were fouled. In that situation, the ball was being fought for with no clear possession either way. Once again, the officials are more than likely not going to call any fouls in that situation late game. Just like at the end of the Duke/FSU game that followed, players for both teams fought for the ball near the end of the game. There was a lot of contact but no foul was called either way.

The thing that really gets me upset about this is everyone has focused on the last few seconds of the game. Let's not forget, State had a 6 or 7 point lead on the Heels and they could have easily kept that lead and won had they not shot themselves in the foot thoughout the game. The Pack shot 3-11 (27.3%) from 3-point range, 12-18 (66.7%) from the free throw line, and turned the ball over 16 times; including one that led to Marshall's game winning shot. Those kind of stats are not going to make it easier for your team to win.

One writer for NBCSports.com seemed to be letting off a lot of steam in his article for the site. Rob Dauster, a writer for the CollegeBaksetballTalk section of the website made it ver clear that NC State got "hosed" by the officials. Now, I wouldn't have a problem with that. After all, it's his matter of opinion. But when that biased viewpoint is tweeted worldwide with the NBC Sports name on it, that's where I take issue. The tweet from read: "N.C. State gets hosed by refs in loss to UNC, and now might miss the NCAA tourney." As a national sports website, you are suppose to show impartiality. It seems as though NBC Sports failed miserably at doing this. I think it's okay for the writer to express his opinion on a blog post (like I'm doing here) but not on an article that is to be front and center on a sports website that is supposed to be impartial.

Listen, State will make it to the NCAA Tournament. If they don't I'll be shocked. I honestly thought they didn't even need a win today against UNC to make it. In fact, I thought they solidified that with the win against Virginia yesterday. Like my mom said, State should have played better throughout the regular season so there wouldn't be such an uproar over whether or not they would make it. All that said, people who are still whining about what happened need to grow up and move on. What happened happened and, obviously, there's nothing you can do about it! I could say a lot more but I'll leave it at that!

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Tarheel For Life

I wanted to take a minute and thank the Carolina men's basketball team for an outstanding season. Although it didn't end the way we wanted it to, they still did a tremendous job! I wasn't sure how this year's team would be considering last year's debacle; but they pulled it out. This team, in my opinion, has worked harder than any other team in the nation. Working hard is not just about winning championships, it's about how you persevere through adversity to achieve a goal. This team has displayed that day in and day out.

I honestly have never felt this bad for a Carolina team before in my life. I just feel so bad for them because of all the hard work and determination they've put in throughout the season. I'll tell you right now the ACC and the NCAA better watch out for this team next year, especially if everyone comes back. Congrats once again Tarheels! I know I'm speaking for everyone when I say I'm proud of you guys.

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Bracketology With Chris

I can't believe it, but it is that time of year again: the NCAA Tournament! In fact, this is my second favorite time of year, behind Christmas of course. I love tourney time not only because there's a boat load of college hoops on, but because of the passion and heart you see out on the court that you mostly don't see in the NBA. It's just something about college basketball that I love! So now I present to you Bracketology With Chris...

Second/Third Rounds

After the First Four (technically first round) I think these rounds will be pretty uneventful; however there may be a couple of games to pay close attention to:

• Temple vs. Penn State~The Nittany Lions are coming off a tremendous run in the Big Ten tourney and are playing against a deflated Temple team after falling to Richmond who earned a 12 seed in the NCAA Tourney
•  Vanderbilt vs. Richmond~Although I picked the Commodores to win, they need to be on alert with this Richmond team who has won 12 straight games going into the postseason, including the upset of Temple in their conference championship
• Wisconsin vs. Belmont~I may pay for it later but I have Belmont beating Wisconsin. I took a look at the season stats so far and Belmont has a sizeable margin over Points Per Game (PPG), FG%, and FT%. It's not impossible because some of the "Bracketology" guys on ESPN predicted this as well.
• St. John's vs. Gonzaga~Again, I'm going with the underdog which would be the Zags. I've always liked what Mark Few can put together come tourney time and I don't think his team won't show up for this game.
• UCLA vs. Michigan State~Tom Izzo always brings his team to play come tourney time as well, I see them getting past the Bruins but falling to Florida in the second round.

Sweet 16

Again, not too many surprises here, although I like Texas to beat Arizona and meet Duke in an interesting Sweet 16 matchup. In the same bracket, I like San Diego State to knock off Penn State and meet Connecticut. Surprisingly, I think Kansas State can make a run and defeat both Utah State and Badger killer Belmont to take on Pittsburgh in the Sweet 16.

Elite 8

This is where it gets so tough.

• East~Ohio State vs. North Carolina
• West~Duke vs. Connecticut
• Southwest~Kansas vs. Notre Dame
• Southeast~Pitt vs. BYU

Once again, the Southeast may surprise you, but I think BYU has a good chance, especially with my player of the year Jimmer Fredette. He's not the only reason, though, as the entire team has looked pretty good against stiff competition.

Final Four

Ohio State vs. Connecticut and Kansas vs. Pittsburgh

Championship

Ohio State vs. Kansas

The Buckeyes, led by Freshman sensation Jared Sullinger, are just too strong for any team out there right now, and that's why I choose them to be the 2011 NCAA Champions! It should be a great next few weeks and I can't wait to see what happens!

To see all of my picks, click on the picture below.

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