Big Beta

Opening Thoughts: Today in micro class, Dr. Sullivan proceeded to give an example of a person who would rather waste away their day instead of working a little bit for a lot of money. The example happened to describe someone, who would rather watch ACC basketball and ESPN than work. Of course, everyone looked at me, and I was shocked. It was a random example, but it was unbelievable and a little scary how dead on he was in describing, "How this person always has ESPN on in the background, no matter what." Now I don't watch ESPN ALL of the time, but clearly it's the network that's on the most during the day. The rest of the year, an image of Dr. Sullivan will be present as I watch basketball. Big Beta is my new nickname since I, in Dr. Sullivan's example, have a high preference towards leisure in the labor supply model.

So, of course, let's talk basketball:

• Michigan St. 81, Minnesota 62. The Spartans' #10 national ranking is too high, but they were impressive tonight. 57% shooting, a 35-23 advantage on the boards, and 23 assists (maybe a season high for a single team) is good enough to beat anyone. Paul Davis: 14 points, 12 rebounds = victory. The Gophers are now 6-6 in the Big 10, and I don't think an 8-8 Big 10 mark is good enough to warrant an at-large bid. Vincent Grier does continue to play well for Minn., scoring 19 tonight.
  
• North Carolina 85, Virginia 61. Virginia can take consolation in the fact they played the Heels 10 points closer this time than when they met in January.
• Charlotte 66, DePaul 62. Charlotte only went 2/19 from 3, Branden Plavich only made 1/11 from the floor, but the 49ers were able to win anyway, which, I have to admit, impresses me. Charlotte hung tough with DePaul on the boards and forced 19 turnovers, which is a lot for the 49ers to force in one game.
  
• Notre Dame 70, Georgetown 64. The Irish couldn't force to lose this one at home if they wanted to stay off the bubble. Notre Dame's backcourt was the difference, combining to go 11/25 from the field, 22/24 from the line and score 52 points. Both teams are in right now, but have to finish strong to assure their places in the field of 65.
• Texas 75, Texas A&M 40. Definitely the Longhorns' most impressive win since losing P.J. Tucker and they have now relegated the Aggies to the NIT unless something miraculous happens. The Aggies only shot 26% from the floor and were outboarded 40-20, ouch. Texas's inside duo of Buckman and Klotz combined for 25 points and 22 boards to lead the way. Texas is back to 6-5 in the Big 12, and right now, the Big 12 would get 6 teams in.
• LSU 80, Mississippi St. 72. The SEC continues to defy all logic as the Tigers, coming off a loss to Arkansas, beat the Bulldogs in Starkville to complete the season sweep. LSU is 2nd in the SEC West, a game ahead of MSU, who is now just 6-5 in the league with a road game at Kentucky Saturday night. The Bulldogs are in a little trouble and need to finish strong. The SEC won't get more than 5 teams in, that's my prediction.
• Creighton 82, Wichita St. 68. What was the most impressive mid-major team in the land is struggling to hang onto its at-large bid. The Shockers were outscored 51-30 in the 2nd half, at home!!!! Their trip to Miami Saturday is now a must win as WSU is now a game behind Southern Illinois in the Valley. Nate Funk (great name) led the way for CU with 35 points as CU sweeps the season series with the Shockers.
• East Carolina 67, UAB 64. Bad, bad, bad, bad loss for UAB at home to a team that never wins on the road. In fact, it was the Pirates' first road win of the year. UAB is now just 6-5 in CUSA, tied for 6th with TCU. To get in, UAB must win out, which includes this Saturday at Cincinnati.
• NC State 82, Maryland 63. Naturally, after you complete the season sweep of Duke, you get swept by NC State???? I guess the Terps like living on the edge, as they're back to 6-6 in the ACC after giving up 22 assists on 25 made field goals, which I don't think is solely attributable to the smooth Princeton offense (translation-bad Terp defense). NC State is back to 5-7 in the ACC with home games remaining against Carolina and Wake, so they have an outside chance of getting back into the NCAA hunt.
• Northmont 55, Butler 32. The T-Bolts win their 1st round sectional game over the Purple Pansies, advancing to a Monday night date with Fairmont, whom the Bolts have already beaten this year. A possible rematch with Centerville (the Bolts lost 44-21 earlier, yuck) in the sectional finals looms.

The NHL season was cancelled, darn! Pitchers and catchers are reporting, noooo!!!! But, a month from now, I'll be in the RCA Dome for 1st round NCAA Tourney action, yesssssss!!!! Tomorrow is my first trip to Jungle Jim's (I'm excited), and possibly some Risk with the Econ geeks (doubly excited).