Just call me Mr. Rump Shaker

Opening thoughts: I found a Best of Old-School Hip Hop CD at WalMart today that is now my running companion. I am in heaven. Tomorrow is the most dreaded test of the year up to this point, so let's hope that goes well. And, tomorrow is Happy Valentine's Day, so I wish you and your loved one the best. For the first time in 4 years, I don't have a Valentine officially, but that's ok. Love will come my way again someday.

Now for a special review of tonight's Grammy Awards:

• I must say the live performances outnumber the acutal number of awards given out at least 3:1. However, they did allow Lance Armstrong and Sheryl Crow to hand out Record of the Year, so I can't complain too much. But most of these performances were of songs that you hear 4 times every hour on the radio. Why would I want to hear these songs again when I can get in my car and guarantee I'll hear it in the span of 10-15 minutes. Let's hear something fresh!!!!!
• Record of the Year: "Here We Go Again", Ray Charles and Norah Jones. This had to win, when you combine two of the greatest piano players and recording artists of all time.
  
• Song of the Year: "Daughters", John Mayer. How????? Alicia Keys's "If I Ain't Got You," should've gotten it over that horny, stoner of a singer. As you can tell, I'm not a John Mayer fan.
• Best New Artist: Maroon 5. I can't argue with this pick. They've shown some diversity in their hit singles and their songs are fun to sing along to. Solid choice.
• Best Female Pop Vocal Performance: "Sunrise", Norah Jones. Either this or Gwen Stefani's "What You Waiting For" should've won this one. Norah Jones is just very soothing. She helps you relax when you're stressed out.
• Best Male Pop Vocal Performance: "Daughters", John Mayer. BOOOOOOOOO!!!!! My pick here would've been "You Raise Me Up", Josh Groban.
• Best Pop Vocal Album: "Genius Loves Company", Ray Charles and friends. Again, nothing would've beaten this, although Norah Jones and Brian Wilson's "Smile" would've been good choices also.
• Album of the Year: "Genius Loves Company", Ray Charles and friends.
  
• Also winning Grammys: Bill Clinton for Spoken Word Album, Jon Stewart for Comedy Album, Lord of the Rings, Score Soundtrack, Britney Spears for Dance Recording, and many, many others trust me. There are so many categories I'm bound to be nominated for something someday.

And you thought all I talk about is basketball, well, YOU'RE WRONG, and this proves it!!!!!

But let's get back to our business, which is basketball:

• North Carolina 77, UConn 70. The Tar Heels got over their Duke hangover in the 2nd half as the real Raymond Felton and Rashard McCants stood up, leading the comeback effort. Stat of the game, Turnovers: Carolina 11, UConn 22. UConn is just too young in the backcourt to repeat. Sean May is Carolina's MVP right now, another impressive double-double for the big man (16 and 13).
• Oregon St. 90, Washington 73. Oops. A program learning how to win runs into every one of these type of games sometimes. That team learns they're still not at the point where they can get by while not putting forth the effort necessary to win on the road in conference. Oregon St. shot 60% from the floor and forced 21 turnovers. Oregon St.????? In the Huskies' defense, they did play a tough overtime game in Eugene Thursday night, but you still have to come to play. The Beavers are 6-6 in the Pac10, are they the 3rd NCAA team in the conference???
• NC State 53, Georgia Tech 51. I thought the Jackets were over the hump after win at Clemson, but they did not look good tonight. 18 turnovers and 39% shooting in a slowdown game doesn't even come close to getting it done. It's amazing they only lost by 2. BJ Elder only went 2/10 from the floor, scoring 8 points.
  

Here's my form of Bubble Watch:

* In: Vermont, St. Joe's, George Washington, North Carolina, Duke, Wake Forest, Georgia Tech, Maryland, Gardner-Webb, Kansas, Oklahoma St., Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Boston College, Syracuse, Georgetown, UConn, Villanova, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, Portland St., Winthrop, Illinois, Michigan St., Wisconsin, Pacific, Old Dominion, Louisville, DePaul, Cincinnati, UAB, Charlotte, UW-Milwaukee, Niagara, Penn, Oral Roberts, Miami, Coppin St., Wichita St., Utah, Monmouth, Samford, Washington, Arizona, Holy Cross, Kentucky, Florida, Alabama, UT-Chattanooga, Denver, SE Louisiana, Alabama A&M, Gonzaga, Nevada
* Bubble: Virginia Tech, Miami, Texas, Texas A&M, Iowa St., Minnesota, Indiana, Memphis, Houston, Marquette, S. Illinois, UCLA, Stanford, Oregon St., Arizona St., Mississippi St., LSU, St. Mary's, UTEP

Phil Mickelson shot a final round 73 to win Pebble Beach by 4. He may have the cutest family between his gorgeous wife Amy, and his two fun daughters that run out onto the green after he finishes.

Have a good Monday, I will after this test is over.