Wednesday, March 15, 2017 – Beware the Ides of March! Idus Martiae! Brutus and Brackets!

Idus Martae is Latin for Ides of March. I wonder what is the translation of March Madness is in Latin. Maybe – Cray Cray Martiae!

In modern times, the Ides of March is best known as the date on which Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 BC. Caesar was stabbed to death at a meeting of the senate. As many as 60 conspirators, led by Brutus and Cassius, were involved. If you want to learn more about politics, conspiracy theorists, and leadership, then reread Shakespeare’s play, watch Fox News; CNN, or CSPAN or get on Facebook. Meanwhile, I am dribbling on to my basketball brackets.

What a relief to discover I still have one more day to conduct my complete analysis of the Men’s and Women’s NCAA Basketball brackets. The first of the men’s games have begun with major games beginning today and tomorrow. Women’s games do not begin until Friday.

Here are my helpful hints to complete a bracket and of course my always helpful comments.

Step One: Go to a website and find printable brackets.

Step Two: Print out several blank brackets.

Step Three: Text neighbor and ask them to do it because you do not like them and you printed them incorrectly.

Step Four – TIMES, DATES, and NETWORKS – VERY IMPORTANT

ONLY on this bracket mark the games times, and DAY of the game and the NETWORK the game is shown. It is very easy to become confused especially during First Round play. Times are shown in EASTERN Standard Time. Make sure you adjust. When bracket reads – Texas A&M vs. Penn @ 9:00, that means we here in Aggieland watch it at 8:00 PM.

On this bracket I add the day of the week, as in Friday or Saturday, over the date of the week.

On this bracket mark the Network the games are played.

Network for the men’s coverage is TBS, CBS, TNT and TRUTV. For the women’s coverage is the ESPN family. The First Rounds of play are on ESPN 2.

Step 5: Put this bracket aside, but within easy reach.

Step 6 – Fill out your new blank bracket based on whatever criteria you select and however you want to complete the bracket.

Here are some of my initial thoughts on the women’s First Round games only.

Texas A&M vs Penn – I do believe I referred to the Ivy League Champion yesterday as Nitany Lions. My apologies to both schools. The school Texas A&M is playing is Penn – as in Quakers. I am so hoping the mascot is an Oatmeal box with legs.

Let’s see who is playing in Waco besides Baylor. Texas Southern (Houston), California (Berkley) and LSU (Baton Rouge). Three very large and diverse teams coming to the Hot Spot, Belt Buckle of the Bible Belt – Waco, Texas. I hope they can find George’s.

Moving along: From Starkville, Mississippi – Go Bulldogs! Dallas could be calling your name! Stay focused. Love you, Vic!

Really? Notre Dame on Saint Patrick’s Day! Who made this schedule? Poor Robert Morris.

The great Tina Thompson – currently coaching @ THE University sharing recipes and coaching strategies with official.

That’s right! Get the other official – the one who can SEE the foul!

Come on Texas! As in THE University of Texas! Go Karen! A Stanford/Texas Regional would be so AWESOME!

South Carolina might be able to limp through their bracket, but losing a top player to injury is going to be an issue. However I am taking # 12 seed Quinnipiac to win this bracket because I like to try to say the school’s name.

My initial Women’s Final Four coming to Dallas on March 31 are Baylor, UConn, Notre Dame and Quinnipiac. Seriously, the fourth bracket is going to be iffy.