Record: 14-5
Record in ranked v. ranked games: 1-3
Summary: The "big picks" were all wrong by me. Jared Sullinger is insane, and Ohio State will remain #1 next week. KU's "call it until they lose" home winning streak resulted in another wrong pick, including the forecasted top ranking. Villanova has solidified its spot as at least the Big East's #2 team, as Cuse goes 0-2 in big games for the week. I was correct in shying away from calling several popular upset picks (Tennessee, KSU, South Carolina, MSU, Marquette, St. Mary's, Northwestern), but failed to call the money picks involving the top three teams.
Pick I should have gotten right: #1 Ohio State over #23 Illinois. I need to watch more of Mr. Sullinger.
Pick you can't blame me for getting wrong: Providence over #19 Louisville. UL seems to drop two or three games each year to pathetic teams, but it's usually in non-conference play and it's tough to call exactly when it'll happen. Can't say there were many "told you so"s on this one.
Right:
#4 Duke def. Wake Forest
#5 Pittsburgh def. DePaul
#8 UConn def. Tennessee
#9 BYU def. Colorado State
#11 Texas A&M def. Kansas State
#12 Kentucky def. South Carolina
#13 Missouri def. Iowa State
#14 Purdue def. #17 Michigan State
#15 Minnesota def. Michigan
#16 Notre Dame def. Marquette
#20 Washington def. Arizona State
Vanderbilt def. #22 Saint Mary's
#18 Wisconsin def. Northwestern
#21 West Virginia def. South Florida
Wrong Picks:
#1 Ohio State def. #23 Illinois
#10 Texas def. #2 Kansas
#7 Villanova def. #3 Syracuse
Providence def. #19 Louisville
#25 Cincinnati def. St. John's
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Weekend Top 25 Games, And My Picks
Let's see how I do. I'll add a quick note with my pick, so I can be humiliated for eating my words or brag for being right on come Sunday night. I promise to post my results.
Saturday:
#1 Ohio State at #23 Illinois Ohio State's gotten the buzz this week by replacing Duke as the top team (my vote goes to Kansas), but their stay will be short. OSU hasn't played a team as good as Illinois or played in as tough an environment as Assembly Hall. The close wins end here, against an Illinois team that hasn't lost at home.
#10 Texas at #2 Kansas Never, ever pick against Kansas at home. Particularly with a single digit number next to their game. With my prediction of an OSU loss, this should put the Jayhawks in position to take the top ranking.
#7 Villanova at #3 Syracuse The Carrier Dome will be rocking, and Cuse will not lose two straight. We saw on Monday why they're not the top team in the Big East, but they'll prove on Saturday that they're the second best team over Nova.
#4 Duke at Wake Forest Despite being a questionable hire, we'll have to give Bzdelik a couple years to get Wake Forest back to respectability...but they're a proud program and it's a shame to see then as an ACC bottomfeeder in a down ACC. That's why I'm NOT taking Wake; I could give you dozens of reasons why I am picking Duke.
#5 Pittsburgh at DePaul You're kidding, right? I think Pitt is the second best team in the country, behind Kansas. I think DePaul is a below average mid-major that somehow gets to host 9 Big East teams each year.
Tennessee at #8 Connecticut Will we get Jekyl or Hyde from Tennessee? The team that beat Pitt in Pittsburgh, where no one else will this year, should have no problem beating the Huskies in Hartford. But I'll take UConn, because there's only one Kemba Walker that will show up Saturday, and he's really, really good.
#9 BYU at Colorado State Jimmer Fredette can win most Mountain West games with one hand tied behind his back, including this one. The big game is next Wednesday, when BYU hosts San Diego State. They'll almost certainly meet 3 times this season; the team that wins twice is a likely 2 seed, and if either can sweep the other the Mountain West will have a 1 seed in March.
Kansas State at #11 Texas A&M Frank Martin's team started the season in the top 5, but were only 3-3 against non-conference competition and have struggled to a 1-3 start in the Big 12, showing again that it's one of the best conferences. I'll take the trend to continue, as the Aggies' season has been just the opposite: not picked to be elite, but winning their tough games and dominant at home.
#12 Kentucky at South Carolina Kentucky fell behind by 20 before nearly coming back to beat Alabama. They'll lose a couple more games like that, as the youth is more obvious than last year, but they'll continue the surge that almost got them a win on Tuesday against South Carolina on Saturday.
Iowa State at #13 Missouri Fred Hoiberg has the Cyclones competing, but they're not good enough to win at Mizzou. Marcus Denmon is a scorer, and he will have a big game.
#17 Michigan State at #14 Purdue MSU has played a difficult schedule, and it continues at Purdue. I think MSU's backcourt as a whole has the edge, but the Spartans have no answer for JaJuan Johnson.
#15 Minnesota at Michigan Minnesota is just 3-3 in the Big Ten, losing all three road games. However, Wisconsin, Ohio State, and Michigan State are tougher road games than Michigan. The Gophers take this one, though they've still got more to do to prove they're in the Big Ten's top tier.
Marquette at #16 Notre Dame Notre Dame is usually a tough team to beat at the Joyce Center. I'll take the Irish at home, despite the throttling in Milwaukee barely a week ago. Marquette will keep it close because that's what they do, but it doesn't seem they have the composure to actually win the close game.
#19 Louisville at Providence Louisville is once again an NCAA lock, and Providence is once again one of the three or four teams the NCAA locks of the Big East enjoy playing, because it'll be a win.
Arizona State at #20 Washington The Huskies are anchored by the little guy, 5'8" junior point guard Isiah Thomas, who is one of the best in the country, and the big guy, 6'9" senior Matthew Bryan-Amaning on the inside. The Pac 10 stinks again this year, but the Huskies don't. They're good enough to secure a top three seed if they can take care of business, and ASU on Saturday should be no problem.
#22 Saint Mary's at Vanderbilt The Gaels are an NCAA team and have a shot of winning the WCC again this year, but if they don't they might need this win to avoid playing in one of the new Play-In Games as one of the last at large teams in. A road game in Nashville at the old gym with its benches on the sides of the court will prove too daunting a task.
#25 Cincinnati at St. John's Cincinnati took care of business early on against inferior competition, and they deserve the number next to their name. But Steve Lavin's senior-laden team is also making some noise in the Big East. Cincinnati needs this to avoid a 3-4 start in conference play and a 3 game losing streak, all on the road. I don't see it happening.
Sunday:
#18 Wisconsin at Northwestern Jon Leur vs. John Shurna will be an interesting matchup of similar players. Wisconsin is beatable on the road in the Big Ten, but Northwestern still won't get that breakthrough win to prove it's finally their year for a tournament appearance.
South Florida at #21 West Virginia WVU looked solid in their victory over Purdue last weekend. They're coming around, and if Truck Bryant and Kevin Jones return next year they will contend for the Big East title. USF has taken a step back after showing some life in the Big East last year, expected with the loss of standout Dominque Jones, but unforunate.
Saturday:
#1 Ohio State at #23 Illinois Ohio State's gotten the buzz this week by replacing Duke as the top team (my vote goes to Kansas), but their stay will be short. OSU hasn't played a team as good as Illinois or played in as tough an environment as Assembly Hall. The close wins end here, against an Illinois team that hasn't lost at home.
#10 Texas at #2 Kansas Never, ever pick against Kansas at home. Particularly with a single digit number next to their game. With my prediction of an OSU loss, this should put the Jayhawks in position to take the top ranking.
#7 Villanova at #3 Syracuse The Carrier Dome will be rocking, and Cuse will not lose two straight. We saw on Monday why they're not the top team in the Big East, but they'll prove on Saturday that they're the second best team over Nova.
#4 Duke at Wake Forest Despite being a questionable hire, we'll have to give Bzdelik a couple years to get Wake Forest back to respectability...but they're a proud program and it's a shame to see then as an ACC bottomfeeder in a down ACC. That's why I'm NOT taking Wake; I could give you dozens of reasons why I am picking Duke.
#5 Pittsburgh at DePaul You're kidding, right? I think Pitt is the second best team in the country, behind Kansas. I think DePaul is a below average mid-major that somehow gets to host 9 Big East teams each year.
Tennessee at #8 Connecticut Will we get Jekyl or Hyde from Tennessee? The team that beat Pitt in Pittsburgh, where no one else will this year, should have no problem beating the Huskies in Hartford. But I'll take UConn, because there's only one Kemba Walker that will show up Saturday, and he's really, really good.
#9 BYU at Colorado State Jimmer Fredette can win most Mountain West games with one hand tied behind his back, including this one. The big game is next Wednesday, when BYU hosts San Diego State. They'll almost certainly meet 3 times this season; the team that wins twice is a likely 2 seed, and if either can sweep the other the Mountain West will have a 1 seed in March.
Kansas State at #11 Texas A&M Frank Martin's team started the season in the top 5, but were only 3-3 against non-conference competition and have struggled to a 1-3 start in the Big 12, showing again that it's one of the best conferences. I'll take the trend to continue, as the Aggies' season has been just the opposite: not picked to be elite, but winning their tough games and dominant at home.
#12 Kentucky at South Carolina Kentucky fell behind by 20 before nearly coming back to beat Alabama. They'll lose a couple more games like that, as the youth is more obvious than last year, but they'll continue the surge that almost got them a win on Tuesday against South Carolina on Saturday.
Iowa State at #13 Missouri Fred Hoiberg has the Cyclones competing, but they're not good enough to win at Mizzou. Marcus Denmon is a scorer, and he will have a big game.
#17 Michigan State at #14 Purdue MSU has played a difficult schedule, and it continues at Purdue. I think MSU's backcourt as a whole has the edge, but the Spartans have no answer for JaJuan Johnson.
#15 Minnesota at Michigan Minnesota is just 3-3 in the Big Ten, losing all three road games. However, Wisconsin, Ohio State, and Michigan State are tougher road games than Michigan. The Gophers take this one, though they've still got more to do to prove they're in the Big Ten's top tier.
Marquette at #16 Notre Dame Notre Dame is usually a tough team to beat at the Joyce Center. I'll take the Irish at home, despite the throttling in Milwaukee barely a week ago. Marquette will keep it close because that's what they do, but it doesn't seem they have the composure to actually win the close game.
#19 Louisville at Providence Louisville is once again an NCAA lock, and Providence is once again one of the three or four teams the NCAA locks of the Big East enjoy playing, because it'll be a win.
Arizona State at #20 Washington The Huskies are anchored by the little guy, 5'8" junior point guard Isiah Thomas, who is one of the best in the country, and the big guy, 6'9" senior Matthew Bryan-Amaning on the inside. The Pac 10 stinks again this year, but the Huskies don't. They're good enough to secure a top three seed if they can take care of business, and ASU on Saturday should be no problem.
#22 Saint Mary's at Vanderbilt The Gaels are an NCAA team and have a shot of winning the WCC again this year, but if they don't they might need this win to avoid playing in one of the new Play-In Games as one of the last at large teams in. A road game in Nashville at the old gym with its benches on the sides of the court will prove too daunting a task.
#25 Cincinnati at St. John's Cincinnati took care of business early on against inferior competition, and they deserve the number next to their name. But Steve Lavin's senior-laden team is also making some noise in the Big East. Cincinnati needs this to avoid a 3-4 start in conference play and a 3 game losing streak, all on the road. I don't see it happening.
Sunday:
#18 Wisconsin at Northwestern Jon Leur vs. John Shurna will be an interesting matchup of similar players. Wisconsin is beatable on the road in the Big Ten, but Northwestern still won't get that breakthrough win to prove it's finally their year for a tournament appearance.
South Florida at #21 West Virginia WVU looked solid in their victory over Purdue last weekend. They're coming around, and if Truck Bryant and Kevin Jones return next year they will contend for the Big East title. USF has taken a step back after showing some life in the Big East last year, expected with the loss of standout Dominque Jones, but unforunate.
Product Review: Mid Nite Sleep Aid
Mid Nite sleep aid has two selling points: One, you can take it at any point in the night. Seems great, doesn't it? If you take over the counter Dyphenhyramine sleep aids (i.e. Benedryl), it's suggested to go 6 hours between doses. Wake up in the middle of the night and it's a bad idea to take another one and wake up for work. Most prescription sleed aids suggest leaving a full 8 hours for sleep; you've got to take it before going to sleep. Mid Nite says you can take "any time of the night", though it recommends not driving or operating machinery for three hours.
The second selling point: it's all natural. In fact, there is no "Drug Facts" label, since Mid Nite is a supplement. Most of the ingredients are found in food you eat every day. Also seems like a great idea; for those with frequent sleep problems, you'd rather take a "sleep vitamin" than "drugs".
So, does it work? I purchased a package, and in my opinion, it was no more effective than just trying to get back to sleep on my own, without taking anything. I didn't feel any noticeable difference, physically or mentally. I'll stick with Dyphenhydramine for sleep dififculty and struggle through it if 4 am comes and I'm unable to get back to sleep, until someone finds a product that really does the trick for a middle of the night, short-term sleep aid, even if it's not "all natural". If there's any positive, the tablets dissolve and taste good...just too pricey to take the place of Sweet Tarts.
The second selling point: it's all natural. In fact, there is no "Drug Facts" label, since Mid Nite is a supplement. Most of the ingredients are found in food you eat every day. Also seems like a great idea; for those with frequent sleep problems, you'd rather take a "sleep vitamin" than "drugs".
So, does it work? I purchased a package, and in my opinion, it was no more effective than just trying to get back to sleep on my own, without taking anything. I didn't feel any noticeable difference, physically or mentally. I'll stick with Dyphenhydramine for sleep dififculty and struggle through it if 4 am comes and I'm unable to get back to sleep, until someone finds a product that really does the trick for a middle of the night, short-term sleep aid, even if it's not "all natural". If there's any positive, the tablets dissolve and taste good...just too pricey to take the place of Sweet Tarts.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Name Brand or Store Brand: Disinfectant Wipes
So one thing I want to drop on the new blog are consumer reports/reviews/opinions. The first ongoing topic: when is the name brand product the way to go, and when is the store brand and a few extra cents in the pocket just as good or better?
First product: cleaning wipes. You know, the plastic tube with moist disinfectant wipes, for those of us who want a fresh scent cleaner that also lets us get away with being a little lazy an not needing to spray, wipe, and maybe even wash a rag.
I've been going with the Up & Up Disinfecting Wipes, the Target store brand, and a brand I trust for a lot of household products. They're relatively inexpensive, usually less than the branded product, and they get the job done: make cleaning easy, kill germs, leave a nice scent. However, Target put the branded product, Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, on sale last week for a few cents less than Up & Up wipes. Makes you feel like you're getting a bargain, name brand for less than store brand. I'm not sure what the margins are to Target, but it's usually a given that they're better on store brand so that's what they push with the "Compare & Save" notices in store. Well, I'll pay a few cents more "not on sale" than a few cents less on sale from now on, because Clorox Disinfecting Wipes are hands down better than their store brand counterpart. I found the wipes to be a sturdier material so I use less, they clean and disinfect just as well, and they don't seem to leave a dry, stinging leftover behind-after wiping down surfaces in my bathroom with store brand I found the dryness and whatever was left on my surfaces to be irritating to the eyes and nose - not so with Clorox. The scent is also stronger, fresher, and longer lasting.
Winner: Clorox Disinfecting Wipes
First product: cleaning wipes. You know, the plastic tube with moist disinfectant wipes, for those of us who want a fresh scent cleaner that also lets us get away with being a little lazy an not needing to spray, wipe, and maybe even wash a rag.
I've been going with the Up & Up Disinfecting Wipes, the Target store brand, and a brand I trust for a lot of household products. They're relatively inexpensive, usually less than the branded product, and they get the job done: make cleaning easy, kill germs, leave a nice scent. However, Target put the branded product, Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, on sale last week for a few cents less than Up & Up wipes. Makes you feel like you're getting a bargain, name brand for less than store brand. I'm not sure what the margins are to Target, but it's usually a given that they're better on store brand so that's what they push with the "Compare & Save" notices in store. Well, I'll pay a few cents more "not on sale" than a few cents less on sale from now on, because Clorox Disinfecting Wipes are hands down better than their store brand counterpart. I found the wipes to be a sturdier material so I use less, they clean and disinfect just as well, and they don't seem to leave a dry, stinging leftover behind-after wiping down surfaces in my bathroom with store brand I found the dryness and whatever was left on my surfaces to be irritating to the eyes and nose - not so with Clorox. The scent is also stronger, fresher, and longer lasting.
Winner: Clorox Disinfecting Wipes
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Solicitors - Go Away
5 places I don’t want to be solicited to buy crap:
1) In the middle of the mall. Too annoying. You’re trying to get somewhere and someone’s trying to sell you those energy bracelets, or an eyebrow shaping (as if getting that done in the middle of the mall wouldn’t be humiliating enough, people pay for it?), or some dude asks you what cell phone service you have to try to pitch you to switch (My cell phone provider is “Mom”, it’s free with excellent reception and unlimited talk, text, and data, so shove it).
2) Actually in the store. A sales person is expected and alright, but that’s not what I’m talking about. I was in Best Buy a couple months ago when a guy creepily asks me what DVDs I’m looking at and then what I watch on TV. He then asks what cable or satellite provider I have, because Best Buy has this guy in the store pitching their partnered satellite company. Really?! Put up a table, but do not have a creepy guy talking to me about my cable or satellite provider when I’m looking at DVDs.
3) At the checkout. I’m talking about two things: 1) trying to guilt me into donating to a charity so I feel like a jerk for saying no…I’ll choose when, where, and to whom I donate. And especially 2) I don’t have your store’s credit card, and I don’t want to save $15 on my purchase today by opening a credit card with your store. Then they wonder why people have a dozen credit cards and don’t pay them off.
4) In my private mailings. I understand that junk mail comes and I have to toss it. But don’t place advertisements from third parties in my car loan statement, or in my bank statement (and B of A, quit sending me cash advance checks that I have to rip up twice a month because I will never, ever use them. Save the paper and postage, it’ll amount to at least $20 a year in savings-give me $5 and keep $15, deal?)
5) On an airplane. Can’t remember which airline it was (let me know the annoyer(s), I’ll try to avoid them), but as I’m trying to relax in an uncomfortable seat and get a little rest it’s annoying when the flight attendant is on the radio and doesn’t shut up about unnecessary things. I couldn’t believe it on a flight a few months back when I was irritated and trying to doze off after a long delay when the flight attendant took to the radio for a good 5 minutes to pitch the airline’s credit card. Pathetic!
1) In the middle of the mall. Too annoying. You’re trying to get somewhere and someone’s trying to sell you those energy bracelets, or an eyebrow shaping (as if getting that done in the middle of the mall wouldn’t be humiliating enough, people pay for it?), or some dude asks you what cell phone service you have to try to pitch you to switch (My cell phone provider is “Mom”, it’s free with excellent reception and unlimited talk, text, and data, so shove it).
2) Actually in the store. A sales person is expected and alright, but that’s not what I’m talking about. I was in Best Buy a couple months ago when a guy creepily asks me what DVDs I’m looking at and then what I watch on TV. He then asks what cable or satellite provider I have, because Best Buy has this guy in the store pitching their partnered satellite company. Really?! Put up a table, but do not have a creepy guy talking to me about my cable or satellite provider when I’m looking at DVDs.
3) At the checkout. I’m talking about two things: 1) trying to guilt me into donating to a charity so I feel like a jerk for saying no…I’ll choose when, where, and to whom I donate. And especially 2) I don’t have your store’s credit card, and I don’t want to save $15 on my purchase today by opening a credit card with your store. Then they wonder why people have a dozen credit cards and don’t pay them off.
4) In my private mailings. I understand that junk mail comes and I have to toss it. But don’t place advertisements from third parties in my car loan statement, or in my bank statement (and B of A, quit sending me cash advance checks that I have to rip up twice a month because I will never, ever use them. Save the paper and postage, it’ll amount to at least $20 a year in savings-give me $5 and keep $15, deal?)
5) On an airplane. Can’t remember which airline it was (let me know the annoyer(s), I’ll try to avoid them), but as I’m trying to relax in an uncomfortable seat and get a little rest it’s annoying when the flight attendant is on the radio and doesn’t shut up about unnecessary things. I couldn’t believe it on a flight a few months back when I was irritated and trying to doze off after a long delay when the flight attendant took to the radio for a good 5 minutes to pitch the airline’s credit card. Pathetic!
Weekend Recap
Game of the weekend: Were any of them particularly thrilling? I'll go with Green Bay over Atlanta, since it's the only team I actually wanted to see win (no offense Steelers, Bears, or Jets fans). Pittsburgh over Baltimore was probably the closest game, but a 10-7 defensive struggle is more entertaining to me than when both offenses are so bad with turning the ball over that it results in a high scoring game.
Watching now: Damages. Good show, finished after 3 seasons. I'm not usually a fan of legal shows but I like this one. Also, it went over my head the first time that the guy who plays Danko on Heroes was also in Damages. His name is Ċ½eljko Ivanek, and apparently he's been in just about every show on television: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%BDeljko_Ivanek.
Something to buy: A humidifier. Breathe, live, and sleep easier in the winter months. You can get a good one for $35 or less. Five quick facts about winter dryness:
1) Winter months are dry because cold air holds less humidity than warn air.
2) Furnaces heat your home, but contribute to dryness.
3) Dry air results in itchy, watery eyes and skin, dry and/or sore throat and cough, congestion, and increased likelihood of illness. Most humidifiers have replaceable filters for dealing with the fact that you've got a tank of water in the room, so bottom line is if you replace the filters when necessary your chances of catching a mold or bacterial infection caused by the humidifier is slim compared to dryness increasing likelihood of giving you a cold.
4) Unlike dehumidifiers which can turn a wet or damp room into an overly dry place, humidifiers are "self-regulating"; if it's very dry the water in the tank evaporates faster, if the air is not so dry it takes longer.
5) Having plants in the home can help regulate humidity levels.
Misc thread of the weekend: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=130859313 Troll? If not, dude should probably get some Xanax and start from there.
Watching now: Damages. Good show, finished after 3 seasons. I'm not usually a fan of legal shows but I like this one. Also, it went over my head the first time that the guy who plays Danko on Heroes was also in Damages. His name is Ċ½eljko Ivanek, and apparently he's been in just about every show on television: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%BDeljko_Ivanek.
Something to buy: A humidifier. Breathe, live, and sleep easier in the winter months. You can get a good one for $35 or less. Five quick facts about winter dryness:
1) Winter months are dry because cold air holds less humidity than warn air.
2) Furnaces heat your home, but contribute to dryness.
3) Dry air results in itchy, watery eyes and skin, dry and/or sore throat and cough, congestion, and increased likelihood of illness. Most humidifiers have replaceable filters for dealing with the fact that you've got a tank of water in the room, so bottom line is if you replace the filters when necessary your chances of catching a mold or bacterial infection caused by the humidifier is slim compared to dryness increasing likelihood of giving you a cold.
4) Unlike dehumidifiers which can turn a wet or damp room into an overly dry place, humidifiers are "self-regulating"; if it's very dry the water in the tank evaporates faster, if the air is not so dry it takes longer.
5) Having plants in the home can help regulate humidity levels.
Misc thread of the weekend: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=130859313 Troll? If not, dude should probably get some Xanax and start from there.
Folly's Misc Thoughts
This is the blog of Miscer folly412.
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