Sunday Sports Wrap - March 23, 2008

March Madness still surrounds us, however, the video I found for the post is not NCAA but some really great footage I found on Bahrain Basket of a 5’9” dunking phenom. I’m 5’10” and I can’t dunk anywhere near that well!

In the NCAA Women’s Basketball tourney – Cal achieved their first NCAA victory in fifteen years in the win over San Diego on Saturday. San Diego had previously beaten the Bears three times over the season which included the Pac 10 tournament final. Fat Louie’s Women’s Sports Blog recommends this site for some of the best NCAA Women’s hoops coverage. I also found a good roundup here.

As for NCAA Men’s March Madness – freakin’ USC played like a bunch of losers…growl…argh…darnit! They totally blew my bracket! I also find it quite amusing after Duke’s first round close call that Coach K claimed that they kept it close on purpose. Yeah, right – keep telling yourself that! What’s your excuse for the 2nd round loss, tough guy!? Were you making a statement that you're too good for the Final Four? Speaking of oops - UCLA got a bit lazy on Saturday and nearly realized the consequences! At any rate, my bracket is shot to heck! I could still pull out a 3rd place…maybe…

I’ve gotta give a shout to my girl Goon Squad Sarah for showing the March Madness love as well! Unfortunately, we’re both in the same boat now with crappy brackets…

As for the NBA, trash talking amongst fans is ramping up. Houston Rockets and Phoenix Suns fans have been full of chatter about how much better their team is than the Los Angeles Lakers. Hmmm…it seems to me that the Lakers must be the “team to beat” since so many are focusing on them in particular! On the other hand, maybe the rumblings exist because the fans are trying to convince themselves that their team can actually get past the Lakers if they meet them in the final. As LABallTalk points out today, the L.A. boys are playing quite harmoniously as starters and the bench both had double-digit scoring last night against Seattle. I’ve followed this team my entire life and know there hasn’t been this type of synchronicity in some time…

Speaking of “divisive”…around the world, controversies take on many different twists and Sports Tsar has a great post that points this out. The story is about a swimmer’s t-shirt causing a big ruckus. The concern has to do with the continuing saga of the former Yugoslavia.

I’ve not been able to concentrate much on the NHL lately since my local team is completely out of contention. They’ll always be that team with the black jerseys that had Wayne Gretsky getting the city excited about the sport to me. That is, until someone decides to spend a few dollars and hook us up with a good team again. Go to my pal Casey Shea’s blog Bringing Hockey Back for some in-depth analysis and information on the league. He lives and breathes it far better than I…

Geoff Ogilvy has a substantial lead at Doral today at 16 under. Analysts are now questioning Tiger Woods as he is behind Ogilvy by five. One in particular believes that if would be good for him to lose to “get it out of the way” before the Masters. Win or lose, I don’t think it will affect his lifestyle either way. On a lighter note in the world of golf, check out my fun and flirty friend Patricia Hannigan aka The Golf Girl. She’s on a golf and sun getaway in the Sunshine State right now sharing her shopping, golfing, and bikini blogging exploits.

And now that the weather is getting warmer, get out and do something! Southern California has really come to life with the arrival of spring. I didn’t see an empty place to park on Pacific Coast Highway today and Santa Monica/Venice was absolutely packed! I just love this time of year…I just might get my prima donna self in the water for some surfing…with a full suit, booties, hood, and gloves. At the very least, I’m gonna strap on the skates and head down to the great sidewalk by the sea.

Today in sports history...

1994 - Wayne Gretsky sets NHL record with 802 goals

1968 - UCLA beats UNC in Men's Basketball Championship 78-55