Stepping Outside of Tennis: The NCAA and Shamateurism

I have no idea if the recent California law will fix the NCAA’s corrupt system of amateurism in which scholarship athletes in (US-style) football and men’s basketball generate billions of dollars in revenue that make coaches and athletic directors rich while also paying for scholarships for athletes in non-revenue generating sports.  The athletes in the…

Why do I like Tennis and Basketball? Musing on Sports in General

The match that got me to want to really learn how to play tennis For as long as I can remember, my favorite sports have been tennis and basketball.  I suppose that could be explained away by being from Kentucky with roots in the Appalachian mountains and by my dad being the ultimate weekend hacker…

My Worst Ever NCAA Bracket

 I watched 4 NCAA basketball games this season.  I always pick Kentucky to win the NCAA title if they are in the field as I don’t want to feel conflicted about possible money to be won if my favorite team were to lose.  Beyond 25 cents at a cake booth, I don’t really gamble so…

NCAA 2014 Tennis Analog Bracket Elite 8

*** A Reminder – Since this NCAA Season Lacked a Super Dominant Team – No College was Given Rafa, Nole or Roger as an Analog  *** Florida/Andy Murray vs. Dayton/Jurgen Melzer – I have to stick with my original pick of Melzer for Dayton, but Dayton is a team with a lot of speed.  Florida looks…

Updated NCAA – Tennis Analog Bracket

Last night the following results came in to the Counterfactual Sports Hybrid Bracket (Patent Pending on the CSHB name): Dayton/Jurgen Melzer d. Stanford/Pablo Andujar to reach the quarterfinal round Dayton/Melzer will face Florida/Andy Murray who defeated UCLA/Stanislas Wawrinka the winner will reach the Final Four Also Wisconsin/Tommy Robredo d. Baylor/Ernests Gulbis as the smart pick won out over…

Tennis Analogs for NCAA Sweet 16 Teams

As a Kentucky native, I grew up loving basketball.  When my Skyhook was not matched with a 7’2″ frame, I began to drift toward other sports.  In 1985 at 9 years of age, I saw Boris Becker win Wimbledon.  I was hooked.  To be able to combine ATP Tennis with the NCAA Sweet 16 is…