Sera won the NCAA basketball tournament because she had Duke in the finals and I didn't. Actually, she won our two-person pool Saturday with Duke's win over West Virginia. Had Duke lost that game, I would have won, based on points amassed.
Duke is one of those teams you love to hate because it seems they always win. Actually, I was pleased when they lost in the finals to Connecticut a few years back. I love watching the NCAA basketball tournament, something I have faithfully followed for 32 years.
Ironically, that first year, 1978, Duke lost to Kentucky in the finals. I watched that game at my grandparents' home. I had Kentucky winning the whole thing this time around over Kansas while Sera had Syracuse beating Duke.
My love of the tournament was cemented the following year, 1979, when two players took center stage. You might have heard of them: Earvin "Magic" Johnson of Michigan State and and Larry Byrd of Indiana State.
Magic won that game and the two would go on to revive the NBA with their multiple championships for Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics, respectively.
Tonight's game was pretty intense, even if it lacked the "stars" from years past like Johnson and Byrd. I really believe a lot of Duke's success is due to the intensity of its coach, Mike Krzyzewski.
I will not soon forget the intensity on his face with his team up by 1 point with Butler taking the last shot and missing. It's like he willed his team of unknowns to victory, with the 61-59 final score.
They say it's not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game. With Coach K, winning is synonymous with playing the game.