Tag Archives: Muffet McGraw

Wednesday, January 11, 2017 – Golf, Gary and the 2011 National Championship

Posted on January 12, 2017 | Leave a comment

Wednesday, January 11, 2017 – Golf, Gary and the 2011 National Championship

Yu So Yung showed up to play golf today. While my team did not win the scramble, we played well. With 35 mile per hour wind gusts it was definitely hit and hope. FYI – JP, Homecoming Queen 1 – I am loving the new putter I got from you. Next margarita is on me.

In 2011 the Texas Aggie Women’s Basketball team won the NCAA National Championship. So far, it is the biggest win in basketball history at Texas A&M University. I believe the previous game was the “clock controversy” game sending Texas A&M into the championship game and sending Baylor Coach Mulkey into fits of rage and the bus back to Waco. What team did Texas A&M beat for the National Title?

The coach of the 2011 team and the current Aggies women’s basketball team is Gary Blair – GB as the team calls him. In his new book A Coaching Life, he gives us some favorite memories with his beautiful wit, grace and humility.

Yesterday when he was signing my book “To Delia, Gig ‘Em and thanks for the support of the Class of ’85” I told him, “You could have named the book, It’s a Long Way from South Oak Cliff in Dallas or from Stephen F. Austin in Nacogdoches.” He looked at me and said “What great learning experiences. Loved them both.”

Reed Arena, 1.10.2017 Cool Hair, huh? Photo by Linda

Those of us who play or have played sports realize it parallels life. There are wins. There are losses. But each time one must be open to what both have to teach us.

Thank you Coach Blair for signing my book and signing a book for Niece #1. He was even nice enough to put “Sic ‘Em Bears” on the page. Then of course he wrote “Gig ‘Em Aggies” beneath it. I supposed he has forgotten about the clock incident. Nevertheless I do not think I will place his signed book next to my signed copy of Baylor Coach Kim Mulkey’s book – Never Back Down. I do not think she has forgotten the clock.

Oh who did the Texas Aggies beat to win the 2011 Women’s National Championship? Same team Baylor women beat to win the 2012 Women’s National Championship – Notre Dame and Miss Muffet.

Since then the women’s national championship has been won by some team in New England with an Italian as the coach and dog as the mascot.

A Coaching Life by Gary Blair with Rusty Burson is available from Texas A&M University Press and available in the book store in the Memorial Student Center. It will soon be available on Amazon.

gb-book-542x800

Wednesday, March 16,, 2016 – Me and My Brackets

Posted on March 16, 2016 | Leave a comment

Wednesday, March 16,, 2016 – Me and My Brackets

Our post today is brought to by the word Skullduggery – Skuhl-DUHG-uh-ree

It is a noun meaning:

dishonorable proceedings, mean dishonest or trickery: bribery graft and other such skullduggery
an instance of dishonest or deceitful behavior; trick

But enough about the presidential elections and the government.

Here is my completed bracket for the women’s NCAA Division I basketball tournament.

2016 Womens bracket (800x450)

Yep – got the Baptists and the Catholics in Championship Game – Baylor and Notre Dame. As you can see I have Baylor and Texas A&M playing in the Sweet 16. When these two teams play it is known as a “bitter rivalry.” I am sure Coach Mulkey and Coach Blair will show clips from 2011 and the infamous clock issue. Should A&M pull an upset, I will not talk to my family for a week.

“Just Say No to Four” is my mantra for UConn. The University of Connecticut is a basketball dynasty in any league and Briana Stewart (Stewie) is one of the greatest collegiate athletes you will see – male or female. Nevertheless, Here’s What I’m Thinking – the odds are against you to repeat as National Champions for a fourth time. And you know Mulkey and Muffet have teams that can beat you. The scenery only changes for the lead Huskie and it is time for a change. So I am going with the Bears and the Creepy Leprechauns.

But first on March 19 The Fighting Texas Aggie Women must BTHO Missouri State.

I also completed a Division I Men’s Basketball Bracket. I used the Penny method for selecting the Championship Game – my favorite colors, mascots, funny sounding names, etc. My major criterion was schools from which I have graduated. Therefore I have Texas A&M playing Stephen F. Austin for the National Championship. Gig ‘Em Aggies and Ax ‘Em Jacks!

Thursday, March 10, 2016 – You and Your Bracket – Not Your Tax Bracket

Posted on March 10, 2016 | Leave a comment

Thursday, March 10, 2016 – You and Your Bracket – Not Your Tax Bracket

In my ongoing attempt to educate an uninformed world about whatever I am thinking about basketball, here is another installment of Basketball Bracket Primer – Part II. – You and Your Bracket – The Women’s Bracket

Reminder: Monday, March 14 – the eve of the Ides of March – is the NCAA Division I Women’s NCAA Selection Show on ESPN. At this time we find out who is “Going Dancing” and where and who is staying home to watch, wiping away the tears and starting practice for next year.

Doors open at the Ferrin-Cox Building at 5:00 PM where I will be watching it live with The Fighting Texas Aggie women’s team and GB (Head coach Gary Blair). I hope I get as good a seat as I did last year – right behind the team.

Texas A&M Guard – Jordon Jones taking a photo of TAMU’s bracket placement – 2015. Photo by me

Of course there is free food. Why do you think we go when we could watch it on TV?

I also hope the Aggies do not get upset in the first round like last year by one of those teams that no one has ever heard of. Who was it? Middle Hillbilly Arkansas State?

Here is my 2015 women’s bracket.

W Bracket

I promise you that this year’s will not look like this. Unless they are upset by a Yale or Iona along the way, my Final Four are Baylor, South Carolina, Notre Dame and Geno and the Giants (UConn). They are the best four teams in women’s basketball today coached by four great coaches and their staff. Yeah, you two als0 – Geno and Muffett – Doesn’t mean I don’t respect you, even if I don’t like you! <smile>

There are 60 other teams though that could provide an upset to anyone of those four before the Final Four arrive in Indianapolis.

Coming soon: How to Fill Out Your Bracket – We will look at how Dr. Beverly Hofstadter and Dr. Sheldon Cooper might do the math calculating the statistical odds of teams reaching The Final Four versus the Penny methodology of “I think their uniforms are pretty and I love the hair styles and what the coaches are wearing – especially the shoes. Oh yeah. I love their mascot – the Beavers.” Both methods are equally valid in selecting a winning team.

Happy Thursday.