Mike O'Connell

I tell my students all the time… ignore the outliers.

After all the upsets and crazy buzzer-beater endings what did we end up with? Arguably the best two teams playing each other.

Complaints?

None.

Predictions?

Well, I’ll admit I’ve got a selfish reason to see Gonzaga finish off its perfect season.

My bracket was busted long ago, so I’m not winning any big contests or anything, just the possibility of winning a small contest in my own home. That would be me versus the missus, who has a narrow lead on me going into the final. She’s got Baylor, I’ve got Gonzaga. See where this is going? This one’s for all the marbles.

No money, just 11 months of bragging rights.

And oh boy that’s worth about a billion dollars right there.

Two of my favorite musicians of all time are Paul McCartney and Beck.

Imagine my surprise in discovering this week that those two have combined forces on a new single. It’s called “Find My Way,” and yeah, it’s available everywhere.

Available. Not one I need to listen to often.

Still like those guys.

Better as friends than as a couple.

Still trying to find their way.

(I couldn’t decide which closer I liked better so I used them both.)

Gotta hand it to long-established, big-name brands still experimenting with new creations decades into their existences.

Reese’s putting pretzel bits in their peanut butter cups? Safe choice, but no less delicious.

Coca-Cola mixing orange and vanilla to its classic blend? (Actually I’ve been doing that one for years.)

And the good folks at Nabisco, putting out… wait for it… Strawberry Donut Oreos.

Wow.

The world just keeps getting more interesting all the time.

I finally got my hands (and mouth) on that new Ginger Ale Lemonade from Canada Dry.

Big Lots, of all places.

Verdict?

It’s almost as good as either ginger ale or lemonade.

Among other oddities regarding this year’s NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament there is this: three schools from upstate New York (real upstate New York) are dancin’ in 2021.

The last time Syracuse, St. Bonaventure, and Colgate all made the Big Dance?

Anyone?

Yup. Never!

Add in “upstate” New York Iona (it’s upstate if you live in the city or “way the hell upstate” if you live on Long Island) and you’ve got a new Tobacco Road along the Hudson-Erie Corridor.

This is basketball country.