Let's Get It Started

Opening thought: The first exam of the semester is tomorrow and I think I'm ready to go. I'm prepared to go toe to toe with Dr. Dennis Sullivan for as long as it takes, so let's hope I get off to a fast start tomorrow.

All right, here are some more chain, chain, chain email answers:

• Do looks matter? They do at a certain point. You can be a great person, but if you don't take care of yourself and try and look nice than just being great inside isn't enough.
• How do I release anger? Running and/or listening to music. Sometimes, my best runs are when I'm angry and I wear a stone cold expression on my face.
  
• Favorite Toy as a child: I loved boardgames, and still do, Risk is probably my favorite along with Monopoly and Life. I used to collect Starting Lineup sports figurines. I still have them somewhere.
• Stupid and most wasteful high school class: any gym class
• Do I think I'm strong: yes.
• What I would like to accomplish in life: be successful knowing I did everything I could to maximize my potential

Let's talk basketball:

• North Carolina 95, NC State 71. Before I settled in to watch this one, Carolina was already up 10. They are fun to watch. I still maintain they could be an NBA playoff team.
• Miami 76, Toledo 64. Obviously, I really enjoyed watching this game tonight. It was Miami's first win at Toledo since 1997, and with a win Saturday at home vs. Buffalo, it will probably guarantee an ESPN appearance on Bracket Buster Saturday. If the Redhawks win out, they have a shot at an at-large due to their ridiculously high RPI. If you're a Miami fan, you have to like how they finished the game and how the two seniors stepped up down the stretch. Miami shot 57% from the floor, and only gave up 18 made field goals, on the road nevertheless.
• Tulsa 65, UTEP 54. Bad, bad, bad loss for the Miners. Tulsa had only once in the WAC prior to tonight. But the Miners made it difficult for themselves by shooting only 33%. Their Bracket Buster game at Pacific is now a must-win to keep whatever at-large chances they have alive.
• Arizona St. 74, Stanford 67. Ike Diogu had 39 points in this one to put both teams on the bubble. I can't imagine only 2 teams from the Pac10 making it, but right now, that's what it looks like unless someone else gets hot.
• Gonzaga 68, St. Mary's 63. Despite 17 turnovers, the Zags came from behind, led by Adam Morrison's 19. The Zags shot 48%, and got Ronny Turiaf some touches inside, which was the difference. Gonzaga is in, unless they collapse. St. Mary's, despite beating Gonzaga on their home floor, needs to win out to have a chance due to their only big non-conference win being at Cal.
• Pepperdine 85, San Francisco 68. The other WCC team that knocked off Gonzaga saw their slim at-large chances disappear. You can't lose to a team below you in the standings, on your home floor, by 17.

On The Apprentice tonight, the high schoolers generated more of a buzz around Nestle NesCafe coffee and won for the 2nd time. Despite Michael being the biggest slacker one has ever seen, project manager, guitar-playing Danny was fired for his lack of timely decision-making. Michael was a waste of space, but because of his exemption due to his victory last week, he sticks around. Verna, who broke under the pressure during last week's task, decided to quit for good, leaving the collegians with 6, while the high schoolers have 8. I'm sorry, but how do you quit after such a long audition process, and while you're on national TV??? How embarassing.