March is here!

March is finally here, probably my favorite month of the year. We all know what that means, MARCH MADNESS BABY!

In honor of the month of March and March Madness, here's some clips to get you pumped up...

Tubby goin' for the Gold-

-den Gophers that is. Thursday the University of Minnesota announced that Tubby Smith will be their men's basketball coach next season. This is huge. Tubby, apparently sick of the pressure and baggage that comes with being the headcoach at Kentucky, opted out with 4 years remaining on his contract.

Tubby immediately catapults himself to arguably THE highest profile coach in all of Minnesota. If I am even a casual fan of Minnesota Basketball upon hearing this I would immediately call the U. and get myself some season tickets (about second row at the free-throw line).

This is huge for a program that fired both its head basketball coach, AND head football coach in the same year. A program that was in apparent free-fall 2 days ago now suddenly has immense hope. This is truly about as good as U. of Minn. could have done on this one. I think his impact can be nearly immediate. Look for the Gophers to be a better squad next year and in a few years you may start to see some quality prospects considering or even attending the U. of M. With Tubby on their bench I think you can look for the Gophers to make it back to the tourney in the next 2 years.

** Side Note**

Gus Johnson is not only a great Bball announcer but he also makes boxing awesome!... Honestly I think this man could get me to watch paint dry, or grass grow, or other really usually unappealing things...

ALSO....

Papelbon is back in the 'pen just as I had predicted....

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/wcStory?contentId=6519940&MSNHPHMA

I really hate to say it but I told you so.....

No Gus Johnson for the Sweet 16 or Elite 8

How can CBS do this to Gus Johnson? The most entertaining and energetic voice of the NCAA Tournament, or maybe even the sports world. Instead, Johnson will be replaced by James Brown, who was hired by CBS Sports/News boss Sean McManus to host "The NFL Today."

James Brown? Come on now. James Brown is a great in-studio analyst, but is a horrible play-by-play commentator. It was horrendous listening to Brown call games this past weekend. The studio is just a better fit for him.

Why not reward Johnson? Everyone recognizes and loves Johnson's voice. His crazy calls have produced a personality that is known for March.

One of my favorites of his calls is from 1999 when Florida launched a last-second shot against Gonzaga in the tournament.

"Shannon ... From the cornerrrrr... And it's over! Gonzaga ... The slipper still fits!"

Gus really needs to be announcing in the Sweet 16 and Elite 8. Everybody enjoys his craziness and dynamic calls. So I will leave you with a few of his memorable NCAA Tournament calls that sends chills down my spine every time I watch them...

1999 NCAA Tournament -1st Round- Gonzaga vs Florida (Mentioned above)
My favorite GJ moment of all time


2006 NCAA Tournament -Sweet 16- Gonzaga vs UCLA



2003 NCAA Tournament- 2nd Round- Missouri vs Marquette


This video doesn't have the best quality and it may not be the best of Gus's calls, but I think it is pretty good.

Here's another one you can watch on You Tube from the Ohio St.-Xavier game. This one isn't bad.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=e4YQxsoZfnk