The Big East Tournament

It's been 26 years since WVU has won a basketball conference tournament. I was six years old when the Mountaineers beat St. Bonneventure in the Atlantic Ten finals and I don't recall a second of it. This was long before I even knew what a basketball was.

In 2005, John Beilein, Mike Gansey and Kevin Pittsnogle lead the Mountaineers to the Big East Tournament finals on one of the most unlikely runs. WVU, the number 7 seed, upset the number one (Boston College) and number three (Villanova) seeds before losing to Syracuse in the championship game. I attended that game and left Madison Square Garden and New York City wondering when we'd ever have another opportunity at a conference title as great as that one.

You see, the Big East is the best basketball conference in the universe. It's built on grit. It's built on muscle. It's built on defense. It's built on strength and intensity. There is very little finesse in the Big East. The likes of Rip Hamilton, Derrick Coleman, Ray Allen and Carmello Anthony have all graced the floor of Madison Square garden while fighting for their squads during the Big East Tournament. That's why Da'Sean Butler and the rest of the Mountaineers' performance last night was so damn impressive.

We've always been the little guy. Not yesterday, and not this year, however.

On the heels of a Da'Sean Butler buzzer beater against Cincinnati and a narrow victory against Notre Dame in their second game of the tournament, WVU faced Georgetown for the conference title.

The Mountaineers did not disappoint.

With nine seconds left in a tie game, Da'Sean "Big Shot" Butler took an in-bounds pass, drove the lane and put up a twisting, maneuvering, contorted shot that fell with only four seconds left. The Mountaineers were up 60-58. Georgetown didn't call a time out and immediately pushed the ball up the court only to miss a layup as time expired. The Mountaineers were conference champions.

The scene at MSG was amazing. Bob Huggins was near tears while being interviewed on national television. Da'Sean Butler was smiling from ear to ear while receiving tournament MVP recognition. The championship trophy was being hoisted by Wellington Smith, Kevin Jones, Devin Ebanks and Joe Mazzula. Joe Mazzula, a guy who pushed through a terrible shoulder injury to be in that exact place... holding a Big East Championship trophy over his head. All the while, the likes of "Country Roads," and "We are the Champions" echoed throughout Madison Square Garden. Quite frankly, it was almost unbelievable.

From here the Mountaineers enter the NCAA Tournament. At this point WVU could be a one or a two seed. They could end up playing as close as Buffalo, New York, or as far away as Long Beach, California. An early loss in this tournament, however, has the ability to turn a season sour. Let's go, Mountaineers. Let's preserve this Big East Championship.

Let's keep this thing going.

To be continued...

Spring just Sprung in Charleston...

The mercury hit 65+ degrees here in West Virginia and that means it's time to have a cookout. Onion bun, special sauce, red onion, tomato (was surprised the grocery store had such a nice selection given the shortage), colby-jack cheese and some super solid ground beef made for an enjoyable dinner.


Nutrisystem is for wussies.

Laury's

It's taken a year and a half, but I've finally found my favorite restaurant in Charleston. Laury's, located just across the Kanawha River from downtown, is a fine dining establishment with reasonable prices and a menu made for a meat and potatoes kinda dude.

Two weekends ago I had the honor of accompanying my wife to an event that included a free meal at Laury's. You guessed it. I ate like a champion.

First I had an appetizer of scallops and dumplings coated with some kinda white sauce. They put some green stuff on the plate as well (fillers).

After the scallops came a caesar salad prepared table-side. I was too eager to eat it and forgot to take a picture. My belly overtook my brain, which seems to happen a lot. :)

My entree was a filet prepared medium and topped with a shrimp cake. It came with a twice baked potato covered in melted cheese and sour cream. It was a heart attack on a plate.

Last but not least was a piece of caramel cheesecake washed down with a Great Lake's Burning River.

So, yeah. I pigged out and I'm bragging about it. Can you blame a brother? It was free!

Congratulations, Canada

I tried to root for Canada. I really did. However, after watching the United States and Canada play in the preliminary round two Sundays ago, I knew I just couldn't do it.

I'm an American. I didn't really have much of a choice. I have to take the good with the bad. I have my wonderful freedom and rights just like I have an economy that nearly destroyed the world and a former POTUS who started a holy war for personal benefit.

I like everything about Canada. I like their healthcare. I like their view on gay marriage. I like their liberalism in general. However, I just wasn't born there.

That's why I came to the conclusion earlier in the week that I just couldn't root for Canada if they played the United States in the gold medal game. I didn't have the right. My heart was with my guys... the Americans. You were right, Mr. 653!

However, if the United States had to lose, it couldn't have happened a better way. Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins (probably my favorite hockey player of all time) scored the game winning goal in overtime. It brought mixed emotions. It felt like I'd been punched in the gut, but at the same time I was really happy for Sid the Kid.

Despite the outcome, I'm pretty certain the United State's and Canada's Olympic success has only increased awareness of hockey. Let's not only be a fan of hockey every four years. Be a fan of hockey every day.

Congrats, Canada (ya jerks)! ;)

The Little Cat Being a Little Fat

Jeepers Creepers!

Those of you who know me are well aware of my obsession with vehicles. Well, last week I talked my wife into letting me trade my pickup truck for a 2005 Jeep Wrangler! That's right, we've joined the club. The wife and I are now Jeepers!

Watch out WV, we're gonna Jeep all over you!

Chronically Late People

You probably know one. You might work with one. You might be affected by one on a regular basis. You might be married to one. Heck, you might even be one! However, I just don't understand them. How can someone be chronically late?

I'm not talking about someone who works long hours and comes home late. I'm not even talking about someone who's late once in a while. It happens. I understand. None of us are perfect. I'm talking about the person who's late to absolutely everything they do.

There are two types of chronically late people. The first type might move with a purpose... a purpose of disorganization and frustration. They pass you on the freeway going way too fast. They have high blood pressure. They're always in disarray. Their offices are a mess because they're always searching for something for the next meeting that started five minutes ago. They stick out like a sore thumb.

The second type is far more difficult to pick out. You don't know that they're chronically late until it's.... well, uhm... too late (pun intended). These are the people who know they're late and they just don't care. They show up a half an hour late and don't apologize. They consistently make you late. These are the type of people you tell to meet you at 6:30 if you want to see them at 7:00. You might hear one of these people say, "I'm always late. It's just the way I am." These are the most frustrating.

Time is important. Time means a lot to people who like to enjoy it. Time is precious to those who cherish it. That's why I can't understand a person who doesn't value their own or someone else's. It's probably the rudest of all bad habits and it's my biggest pet peeve. It's arrogant and selfish.

If your chronic lateness takes away other people's time, I hope you realize it. You can be on time. You just have to prepare and it isn't that hard.

If this post makes you feel guilty, change that bad habit before it's too late (again, pun intended... damn I love puns)!

Disclaimer: I'm not speaking of anyone who reads this blog... all four of you. Don't be offended!