Mike O'Connell

This weekend I experienced probably the best thing I ever saw on a screen and also the worst.

The worst was Saturday night (actually Sunday morning), as my temporary team (that would be the Duke Blue Devils) lost its semifinal game against the Houston Cougars. A Duke win would have sealed my position at the top of my “company” bracket challenge, a position which carried no monetary prize, just bragging rights for a year. Way better than money. Duke’s collapse was up there with Mike Mussina’s near-perfect game, Game Seven of the 2001 World Series, and Tom Watson at the 2009 British Open. Soul-crushing. And setting up the final no one wanted to see.

At the other end of things, perhaps the greatest thing I ever saw, occurred for me Sunday afternoon, mere hours after I was crushed by the outcome of a basketball game.

I was at Alamo Drafthouse for the 5:00 showing of A Minecraft Movie, and damned if it wasn’t like the greatest movie I’d ever seen. I couldn’t explain to you the plot, couldn’t tell you a thing about Minecraft, but somehow it was ambrosia on the screen in a 1960s theater of the absurd sort of way.

It was also just what I needed.

(Pause for effect.)

And yeah, Alex Ovechkin’s record-setting goal was pretty good too.

It’s still unclear to me whether it was to celebrate an anniversary or April Fools’ Day, but yesterday’s MLB Immaculate Grid was the greatest I had ever seen. Completing it, honestly, was the most fun I’ve had since before Covid.

Each category? Someone who played in the Major Leagues.

Anyone.

Ever.

Over 23,000 correct answers in each square.

That’s just brilliant.

My grid is reproduced below. Each row has a theme. Can you guess?

Today on Math and Musings Franklin and I are celebrating a bit, toasting MAM’s 200th episode. We talk a little basketball, a little unusual food items… the staples of O’Connell living.

Enjoy.

It happens in quick succession every year: bracket made, bracket busted.

But damn it’s still fun to watch, no?

As an added bonus this year I got to see some of this action in person… okay it was the NIT, not the big dance, but same thing: college basketball in March just hits different.

Tune in Friday to Math and Musings to hear more about my adventures actual and vicarious, highlighted by that “boss mode” on my screen and a stash of Reese’s products.

It didn’t take long for this year’s NCAA Tournament to live up to its standard nickname. That’s the alliterative one containing the tournament’s month, describing the surprising action that seems to accompany each game. And it started with the first.

Honestly, I live for this, though I wish things had turned out better for my St. Francis Red Flash, somehow the only tournament team this year I’d actually seen play in person.

And this year I’m happy to say that I did procure a copy of yesterday’s USA Today, complete with “coverage” of said tournament. It’s a little light, sure, but hey, at least I found the thing. And if I need more stats, there is this thing called the Internet. I’ll be scouring it over the next three weeks.

It’s sad, of course, not to see a John Feinstein byline on any of these pieces. Feinstein’s been the gold standard of college basketball writing for 40 years, though as of last week is now reporting from that great press box in the sky.

R.I.P. John Feinstein, but the Madness… marches on.