Tournament Picks

Before we get to my picks, let me say that sources have told me that Bliss is doing better. So keep praying that her health keeps improving.

I know I’m a little late with this, but here are the Official I’m just sayin… picks for the 2011 NCAA Tournament:

Round of 64 Winners
EAST
(1)Ohio State
(8)George Mason
(5)West Virginia
(4)Kentucky
(11)Marquette
(3)Syracuse
(7)Washington
(2)UNC

WEST
(1)Duke
(8)Michigan
(5)Arizona
(4)Texas
(6)Cincinnati
(3)Connecticut
(10)Penn St.
(2)San Diego St.

SOUTHWEST
(1)Kansas
(8)UNLV
(12)Richmond
(4)Louisville
(11)VCU
(3)Purdue
(10)FSU
(2)Notre Dame

SOUTHEAST
(1)Pittsburgh
(8)Butler
(5)Kansas State
(13)Belmont
(6)St. John’s
(14)Wofford
(7)UCLA
(2)Florida

Round of 32 Winners
EAST
(1)Ohio State
(4)Kentucky
(3)Syracuse
(2)UNC

WEST
(1)Duke
(4)Texas
(3)Connecticut
(2)San Diego St.

SOUTHWEST
(1)Kansas
(4)Louisville
(3)Purdue
(2)Notre Dame

SOUTHEAST
(1)Pittsburgh
(5)Kansas State
(6)St. John’s
(2)Florida

Sweet 16 Winners
EAST
(4)Kentucky
(2)UNC

WEST
(1)Duke
(3)Connecticut

SOUTHWEST
(1)Kansas
(2)Notre Dame

SOUTHEAST
(1)Pittsburgh
(2)Florida

Elite 8 Winners
EAST
(4)Kentucky

WEST
(3)Connecticut

SOUTHWEST
(1)Kansas

SOUTHEAST
(1)Pittsburgh

Final Game
(3)Connecticut vs. (1)Kansas

National Champion
Connecticut

These picks were entered into a contest on Yahoo! that I doubt I will win… but you never know.

Although I did not pick them to make it to the Sweet 16, we at I’m just sayin… would like to send our congrats to our friend Clark for his Richmond Spiders making it this far.

Couples Retreat was a very funny movie. I recommend it.

I’m done reading The Roosevelts and the Royals by Will Swift. Pretty good book. It’s got some slow parts, but overall it’s a very interesting book. It gets an I’m just sayin… book recommendation. I’m now reading Passport Not Required: US Volunteers in the Royal Navy, 1939-1941 by Eric Dietrich-Berryman, Charlotte Hammond and R.E. White. I’m about half-way into it and so far, so good.

Know Your Medal of Honor Recipients:

First Lieutenant Alexander Bonnyman, Jr. (US Marine Corps) received his Medal of Honor for his actions from November 20-22, 1943 on Tarawa in the Gilbert Islands. His citation reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Executive Officer of the 2d Battalion Shore Party, 8th Marines, 2d Marine Division, during the assault against enemy Japanese-held Tarawa in the Gilbert Islands, 20-22 November 1943. Acting on his own initiative when assault troops were pinned down at the far end of Betio Pier by the overwhelming fire of Japanese shore batteries, 1st Lt. Bonnyman repeatedly defied the blasting fury of the enemy bombardment to organize and lead the besieged men over the long, open pier to the beach and then, voluntarily obtaining flame throwers and demolitions, organized his pioneer shore party into assault demolitionists and directed the blowing of several hostile installations before the close of D-day. Determined to effect an opening in the enemy's strongly organized defense line the following day, he voluntarily crawled approximately 40 yards forward of our lines and placed demolitions in the entrance of a large Japanese emplacement as the initial move in his planned attack against the heavily garrisoned, bombproof installation which was stubbornly resisting despite the destruction early in the action of a large number of Japanese who had been inflicting heavy casualties on our forces and holding up our advance. Withdrawing only to replenish his ammunition, he led his men in a renewed assault, fearlessly exposing himself to the merciless slash of hostile fire as he stormed the formidable bastion, directed the placement of demolition charges in both entrances and seized the top of the bombproof position, flushing more than 100 of the enemy who were instantly cut down, and effecting the annihilation of approximately 150 troops inside the emplacement. Assailed by additional Japanese after he had gained his objective, he made a heroic stand on the edge of the structure, defending his strategic position with indomitable determination in the face of the desperate charge and killing 3 of the enemy before he fell, mortally wounded. By his dauntless fighting spirit, unrelenting aggressiveness and forceful leadership throughout 3 days of unremitting, violent battle, 1st Lt. Bonnyman had inspired his men to heroic effort, enabling them to beat off the counterattack and break the back of hostile resistance in that sector for an immediate gain of 400 yards with no further casualties to our forces in this zone. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Sergeant Robert Boody (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on May 5, 1862 at Williamsburg, Virginia and on May 2, 1863 at Chancellorsville, Virginia. His citation reads:

This soldier, at Williamsburg, Va., then a corporal, at great personal risk, voluntarily saved the lives of and brought from the battlefield 2 wounded comrades. A year later, at Chancellorsville, voluntarily, and at great personal risk, brought from the field of battle and saved the life of Capt. George B. Carse, Company C, 40th New York Volunteer Infantry.

Private Robert D. Booker (US Army) received his Medal of Honor for his actions on April 9, 1943 near Fondouk, Tunisia. His citation reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty in action. On 9 April 1943 in the vicinity of Fondouk, Tunisia, Pvt. Booker, while engaged in action against the enemy, carried a light machinegun and a box of ammunition over 200 yards of open ground. He continued to advance despite the fact that 2 enemy machineguns and several mortars were using him as an individual target. Although enemy artillery also began to register on him, upon reaching his objective he immediately commenced firing. After being wounded he silenced 1 enemy machinegun and was beginning to fire at the other when he received a second mortal wound. With his last remaining strength he encouraged the members of his squad and directed their fire. Pvt. Booker acted without regard for his own safety. His initiative and courage against insurmountable odds are an example of the highest standard of self-sacrifice and fidelity to duty.