Alone

[Wayne23]

1/25: 83-57 over Penn ST here. 20, 10, 5 for Mann, 15, 13, 3 for Mell. +19 RBs, 8 TOs.

1/27: 72-66 over Ohio ST at the Civic Center. Close all the way. They led by 9 early and by 2 at the half. 21, 7, 3 for Mell, 18 for Henn.

1/29: Ab Mell is #7 on the Norton list. He's dropped back quite a bit.

Our next 3 are on the road.

1/30: 64-55 at Indiana. They led by 5 at the half. When we're playing well we're a 2nd half team but I'd like to find a way to have us start quicker. We won, but we didn't play well. An abominable 29 TOs.

2/3: 65-75 at Michigan. The O continues to be sluggish. 20, 5 for Mell but no one else had more than 8. We shot 32.3%. I've decided to pick up the pace a little on O. Got to do something.

I don't know why I haven't done this before but I'm sending teams of robots to explore the planet. Our little corner has a moderate climate and a pretty diverse amount of plant and animal life, but I'm wondering what's out there, particularly in the tropics and at the poles. The robots will be equipped with cameras and microphones and will be able to report back to me.

Other robots will continue to do building inspection, exterior and interior, and will monitor the water treatment and sewage treatment facilities. Neither of those is used much, given that I'm the only human, but I want them running properly when the settlers arrive.

2/10: 79-62 at #22 Maryland. 17, 14 for Mell, 20, 2, 4 for Mann, 17, 5, 4 for Jeng, who hurt his arm. He's day to day and may miss a game. +17 RBs but 22 TOs.

2/13: 78-35 over Nebraska at Gampel. 40-13 at the half. 24, 7 for Mell, 22, 4, 6 for Mann, 20, 6 for Kirz, filling in for Jeng.

Mell has dropped to #13 on the Norton list.

2/15: 86-64 over Iowa at home. 53-29 at the half. 27, 8 for Mell, 17, 5, 7 for Mann. Only 3 TOs. Maybe increasing the pace helped!

#3, RPI #3, 1 back of Michigan ST who is here next. 2 up on 3rd place, 4 up on 4th.

We're closer to the South polar regions than to the equator. The polar explorers have just arrived. So far all they see is ice and snow, no signs of life.

We obviously have a group going to the equatorial regions, other groups exploring other temperate regions, and even a group heading for the North polar regions.

It will be interesting to see what they find!

[Wayne23]

2/17: 69-57! Great win! We led for the last 38 minutes, by as many as a dozen. Great D did it for us. 16, 3, 4 for Mann, 12, 11 for Jeng, 11, 8 for Mell. 19 TOs but they had 17.

We end the season there, so we are more likely to finish 2nd than 1st, but if we play our best game we have a shot on their court. Then we'll probably meet again on a neutral court in the Big Ten tourney.

No signs of life in the South polar regions. The equatorial group is expected to be in their area soon.

2/20: 65-53 at Penn ST. The final score was our biggest lead. They gave us a battle. 30, 12 for Mell, his best game in a long time. 16, 8, 4 for Mann. +15 RBs. 18 TOs but they had 20.

Michigan ST lost so we're alone in 1st.

2/24: 86-73 over Michigan at Gampel. They're tough; they won at their place. Not a close game though; 56-40 at the half. 28, 6 for Mann, 21, 3, 7 for Huge, 21, 7 for Mell. +15 RBs but 20 TOs. Can't seem to fix the TO issue.

The equatorial inspection team has arrived. The robots will get in place at various locations and rest perfectly still while taking video. This should enable them to see any animals in the area.

2/27: 85-79 over Wisconsin here. They were tough. We finally took charge in the last 5 minutes or so. The bench won it for us- 16, 5 for Matt Kirz, 15 for F Cris Moon, who I wish I could play more, but we're really deep inside.

3/1: 74-81 at Iowa. We never led. We had 4 (of 22) threes, they had 14, and that was the difference. 22, 11 for Mell.

This leaves us tied with #1 ranked Michigan ST for the Big Ten lead with one to play- against them there.

3/3: 59-76. They were the better team tonight. 19, 5 for Jeng. Mell did not have a good game, in foul trouble all night. Played like a freshman. -13 RBs, 20 TOs.

We end the regular season at 25-6, 16-4, 2nd place. #2, RPI #2. +13.4 PPG, +9.4 RBs, -.5 TOs (a terrible 15.0). Mell leads us with 18.1, 9.0. Mann gets 15.9, with 4.6 assists.

Ab Mell is #5 on the Norton list. He and starting PG Jay Mann go pro.

Incredible video from the equator. Many animals typical of those found in equatorial regions on Earth, but others totally unlike anything on Earth for millions of Earth... That's right, lizards that appear to be dinosaur-like. No, not the gigantic dinosaurs we usually think of, more the size of velociraptors and smaller. Some are carnivorous and quite vicious, others herbivores. Still early days so let's see what else is discovered there in the days ahead. The good news is that lizards, at least on Earth, are cold blooded and need a hot climate. That explains why they have not been seen in this area.

Feeling that voices would scare away the animals the robots are communicating via the written word but really, their observations are not really adding anything to what we're seeing in the videos.

[Wayne23]

3/8: We play #7 seed Ohio ST, 19-12, 10-10, in the quarters. Beat them twice.

All kinds of tropical animals and wild tropical plant growth visible from the equator. Fascinating stuff. Our scientists will love exploring the area. I find myself watching for hours. Those lizards rule the roost. Nothing stands up to them, even the HUGE gators. No primates. I sort of expected primates in the area but none. Maybe they were hunted to extinction by the lizards, maybe they never evolved here, or maybe they just hide really well.

3/9: 66-53. 30, 13 for Mell, 19, 6, 4 for Mann.

#3 seed, #25 ranked Illinois, 24-7, 14-6, in the semis. We won by 16 at our place.

3/10: 78-62. 39-24 at the half. 24, 9, 8 for Mann, 26, 4, 4 for Huge.

No surprise that we will play #1 seed, #1 ranked Michigan ST, 31-3, 17-3, for the title. We split a pair in the regular season. On paper it's a toss up. We'll see.

3/11: 56-64. 24 TOs. That gave them 15 more shots, and that was the difference. No one on our team had more than 11 (Huge).

3/12: #1 West. We play #16 Missouri ST, 16-18. Not a bad bracket!

3/17: 82-48. I expected a blowout and I got it. 47-18 at the half. 20, 10, 3 for Mell, 18, 8, 3 for Jeng, 15, 9, 3 for Mann. +21 RBs, 7 TOs. It will get harder.

#8 seed Davidson, 23-11 in the 2nd round.

Still watching the cams from the tropics. Incredible!

3/19: 67-64. 15 lead changes, 7 ties, never more than a 7 point differences, 4 lead changes or ties in the last minute. Jay Mann hit a three with 2.9 to play. They got a decent three off at the buzzer but it missed. Hell of a game but we survived. 25, 7, 3 for Mann, 19 for Huge. Mell was in foul trouble all night and was ineffective. The guards really stepped up.

Jim Jenk, a little used F, hurt his leg. Out for a week or so.

#5 seed, #14 ranked Gonzaga, 25-9, in the Sweet Sixteen. We beat them by 26 in late November.

3/24: 82-76. We led all the way and were never in any real danger. 22, 7, 3 for Mell, 20, 4, 6 for Huge, 16, 5, 5 for Mann. 11 TOs. We're winning, but...

#3 seed, #13 ranked Kansas ST, 27-10, in the Elite Eight. They have a very strong back court.

3/26: 61-73. Damn! 36% shooting, 3-16 on threes, 19 TOs. This is a team we should have beat but you've got to actually play...

4/3: #1 Michigan ST beats Oklahoma by 14 for the title.

4/4: Awards: Ab Mell is National Frosh OY and 1st team. In conf. Mell is POY, Frosh OY and 1st team along with Jay Mann. They're both going pro.

Not looking to move.

4/23: I ask for a facilities upgrade.

Got it!

30-8, 16-4, #2, Elite Eight. Great season but we should have made the Final Four. Losing our two best players.

Overall for 17 seasons: 437-148, .747.

Robotic explorers are all over the land masses on the planet. The temperate zones- all of them, are very much like the one we live in. Nothing different that we've seen. The equatorial zones are replete with all sorts of life forms that (thankfully) don't exist in the temperate zones. The South polar region seems lifeless. The North polar region has lots of life, animals much like our seals and walruses, penguins, and polar bears.

I still spend lots of time watching the tropics. Fascinating, endlessly so.

Now we're going to explore, or have the robots explore, underwater life. The planet has many lakes and rivers of all sizes, and three oceans. We are in the process of building robots, based on designs by the Kree, that can function underwater while sending videos to me.

[Wayne23]

5/1: #2 recruiting class. Preseason #2.

6/5: Looking at transfers.

6/16: Went aft an SF HARD but we didn't get him.

The ship is supposed to arrive a year from today.

6/26: 3 scholarships. We want at least 2 guards. Still short handed there.

Still watching the goings on in the tropics.

8/7: SG Mel Rudd is #1 on the Norton list. PF Rob Mero is #11, and SG Mo Huge is #46.

8/21: We offer to 3 PGs.

9/18: No recruits have committed yet. One looks really good, one looks pretty good, the 3rd looks like a long shot.

Coaches Classic vs. Buffalo. Challenging schedule.

9/25: Got 2 PGs, #31, #46. Lost one.

10/2: 1st day of practice. #2 ranked, #2 in the Big Ten, both to Michigan ST.

10/9: We get a PG, #16. We went after him late. A long shot that paid off!

11/6: Final recruit rankings: #16, 28, 35.

I'm still pretty much enthralled with what I see at the tropics. Wide variety of life forms, predator and prey, constant battle for survival. Sometimes I watch an animal to see how long it can survive before a predator gets it. Some of them actually do last for a few days. The lizards are pure killing machines, powerful and lightning quick, and very good at hiding until the critical moment. The gators are surprisingly fast, and even sneakier than the lizards. The gators and lizards typically leave each other alone but if one of them gets hungry enough there will be a battle and it's a real war, one that can go either way.

"Mack Reed, how do you feel about living on a planet with such vicious killers?"

"Well, the big cats and the bears are a problem we'll need to deal with but it seems that the animals in the tropics don't drift this far. The weather doesn't suit them."

"An unusually warm rainy season may bring surprises."

"Are you basing this on some knowledge you have?"

"It is merely speculation, but it takes all possibilities into account."

"But you don't know that these animals actually ever come this far?"

"I do not."

[Wayne23]

11/12: We start at the Coaches Classic tomorrow. We're the #5 seed (which makes no sense). We play #12 Buffalo.

11/13: 63-45. Solid defensive effort. 18, 7 for SF/PF Ted Jeng, 15, 7 for PG Mel Rudd. 6, 16, 4 for C Rob Mero, 12, 5 for 6th man F/C Matt Kirz. +16 RBs.

#4 seed, #14 ranked Butler in the quarter finals. This field is loaded!

11/15: 79-83 in OT. We blew a 10 point lead, went down by 7, came back to tie it at the buzzer. Then we lost in OT on a buzzer beating three. 21 TOs and poor shot selection. 17, 9 for Mero, 19, 3, 4 for Rudd, 16, 2, 6 for Mo Huge. We're not getting much from SF and PF, except for Kirz (12, 7).

11/20: All 3 recruits sign.

We drop to #16. We'll be back!

Yet another miserable rainy season, and it has been very, very warm. No sign of any lizards or gators, but more mosquito type bugs and other biters and stingers are way too plentiful.

11/22: 67-65 over LSU here. This was a war. We won it on Ted Jeng's 10 footer off a screen. He had 21, 9. 15, 8 for Mero. +13 RBs. This team hasn't come together yet, but we're young; 2 frosh, a soph, 2 juniors start, 2 juniors are the main subs. We'll be a much better team in Jan., Feb., and March.

11/24: Got an allergic reaction to an insect sting. I swole up like crazy and felt some tightness in my throat. The robots got me to the holo hospital very quickly and they gave me something which reversed the effect. It knocked me out though. I've been sleeping for a day and a half.

11/25: 67-56 over Alabama at the Civic Center. 44-24 at the half. 16, 7, 3 for Rudd, who is looking like a superstar. 15, 3 for Huge, 10, 6, 3 for Kirz. The staff is meeting tomorrow morning to consider starting Kirz.

11/26: We will start Kirz but Moon will get minutes.

Big game with #4 Georgetown at Gampel next.

11/29: 67-48. Great win! +16 at the half. 16, 4 for Kirz, 12, 8, 3 for Jeng. +14 RBs but 22 TOs.

4-1, #13. Our O needs work but our D is getting the job done.

I still exercise every day- well, I take a day off now and then, maybe every other week. It's usually a hike or a game of 3 a side volleyball. I still boat, too. But I pretty much do most things alone, or with Grol along to speak with. I haven;t spent any time with my holo friends in a long time. The fact that the ship will be here in a few months has me hungry for real companionship with real people. That includes Grol but doesn't include the holo "people."

[Wayne23]

12/2: 74-59 over North Carolina here. 20, 4 for Huge, 16, 8, 4 for Rudd, 15, 9 for Kirz. +23 RBs. We led all the way.

12/6: 76-45 over #5 Butler. Revenge for the earlier loss. 41-21 at the half. 16, 13 for Kirz, 14, 4, 7 for Rudd, 16, 3, 3 for Huge. +14 RBs.

12/9: 57-72 to #3 Syracuse here. The O didn't get it done. We never led and were down 15 at the half, 24-39. 16, 6 for Mero but no one else did much of anything. 21 TOs, -4 RBs, 28.3% shooting.

December here is a warm month but much drier than the rains of Oct. And Nov. 30+ degree temps are not unusual.

12/13: 63-74 at #13 Stanford. Down 13 at the half. -7 RBs and we stood around a lot on O. Not happy.

12/20: 80-68 over #17 Florida here. We led all the way, by as many as 21. 24, 13 for Mero, 21, 6, 3 for Rudd. +12 RBs.

We end pre-conf play at 7-3, #7, RPI #4. +7.9 PPG, +8.9 RBs, +3.0 TOs (an awful 17.0). While these stats are good, they are not great, but the level of competition has been very high.

Our 5 starters average between 13.3 (Rudd) and 11.2 PPG. 9.5 RBs for Mero. Ball handling is a real problem.

In about 6 months the ship will be here.

[Wayne23]

12/30: 64-40 over Wisconsin at home. 41-22 at the half. We're not generating a lot of offense. No one had more than 12 tonight.

1/2/2240: 68-34 at Nebraska at Gampel. 41-14 at the half. 14, 4, 5 for Rudd, 12, 4, 3 for Huge. +9 RBs. Still WAY too many TOs, but for the 2nd season in a row we don't have a Point Guard on the team.

1/6: 69-72 at Michigan. The Wolverines typically give us fits at their place. They led most of the way. We had a chance to tie it at the end but Rudd missed a three. 24, 9, 4 for Jeng, 17, 5, 4 for Rudd. +16 RBs but 18 TOs.

Putting Huge at PG. Rudd isn't doing it and he's a scorer so he'll be better at SG. Our next is at #2 Michigan ST so results won't likely be immediate.

1/11: 65-57! Huge win! We had a great 2nd half, 42-31. Great D held them to 35.5% shooting, 7-30 on threes. 23 TOs almost did us in but they had 18. Balanced scoring, 6 players had between 6 and 12 points. While Huge had 10 TOs I'm going to give him another couple of games before I switch back.

1/12: Another allergic reaction to a sting. This one was worse than last time. The robots began carrying a stimulant to counteract the effects. A quick injection probably saved my life. But I am still in the hospital and very groggy. The holo scientists are working on something to make me less allergic.

"We can solve this problem, Mack Reed."

It always surprises me when Grol just appears.

"What problem, Grol?"

"The problem of your severe reaction to the sting of the melumalu."

"You can?"

"Yes. It will require a series of daily injections for 6 of your days. After that you will suffer no further reactions if you are stung again. But it is vital that you not expose yourself to the possibility of a sting during this time. It is recommended that you remain in the hospital."

"Go for it!"

So I'll be in the holo hospital for a week, but I can still coach from here.

1/13: 77-57 over Penn ST at Gampel. 50-25 at the half. 22, 6, 4 for Rudd, 16, 1, 5 for Huge. +20 RBs, but 21 TOs. No cure, I guess.

I'm experiencing dizziness and fatigue. Grol says this is a side effect of the injections and will pass when the series of injections has been completed.

1/16: 53-57 at #19 Purdue. We had a poor 2nd half. 21 TOs again. I'm stumped. 16, 10 for Mero, 17, 3, 3 for Rudd.

1/18: Out of the hospital, injections finished.

"What other gifts do you have for us, Grol?"

"I had thought to wait until the settlers' arrival to disclose, Mack Reed."

"Why can't you just tell me now?"

"Very well, Mack Reed. We are able to extend your life span significantly."

"Really? What's the trade off?"

"I do not understand this term, Mack Reed?"

"What is the cost to us? What negatives will occur as a result?"

"I can foresee none- you, will, of course, need to practice population control, in order not to overrun the planet with your species."

"True enough. How long will we live if we agree?"

"We are in the final stage of estimating this, Mack Reed."

"Can you give me a rough estimate?"

"You should experience a 1,200 year lifespan, more or less."

"Wow!"

"Shall I take that to indicate interest, Mack Reed?"

"Oh yeah! I will discuss it with Darma and the Council."

"Very well, Mack Reed."

1/20: 65-49 at Ohio ST. 33-20 at the half. 28, 4, 3 for Rudd. 18 TOs.

This team doesn't score a lot of points. That is very much due to our horrible ball handling. We don't get enough shot opportunities, and we especially don't get enough good opportunities. And we get very little production from SF and PF. PF is better with Kirz starting but still not great. Jeng is a disappointment. We expected a world class player and he has not been close to that. Fortunately, our D is solid.

12-5, 5-2, tied for third. #8, RPI #4.

I was stung at work today. No reaction.

Darma and the Council are absolutely in favor of the life extension. They will not be able to vote on it officially until the ship arrives but I've told Grol to tell the Kree to begin planning.

[Wayne23]

1/23: 62-80 at Wisconsin. 23 TOs. Huge is not the answer at PG; he had 11 TOs today. He and Rudd shared the job before the switch. I'm going to try Rudd at PG next. If that doesn't work I am out of options.

1/25: 81-58 over Michigan here. One game doesn't mean much but 14 TOs, only one by Rudd. 22, 9 for Mero, 10-14 for each of the other starters. More inside shots than usual. +18 RBs.

2/1: 86-55 over Indiana at the Civic Center. 12 TOs, and we scored a lot of points. 26, 4, 4 for Rudd, 23 for Huge. +12 RBs.

2/3: 60-70 at #20 Illinois. 23 TOs, so still no solution, on the road anyway. 19, 2, 7 for Rudd but he had 8 TOs and Huge had 7. +14 RBs.

"Mack Reed, we could do the life extension on you in the present. There is no need to wait until the ship arrives."

"What would be involved?"

"It would require you to spend a week in the holo hospital where you would undergo a series of several injections each day. You would then need to spend an additional week recovering. The process creates a great deal of stress for the body and mind, and rest and recuperation are vital before resuming a normal life."

"What are the dangers?"

"We calculate a one in 275,633 chance of death, and a one in 98,744 chance of any kind of negative result- loss of movement in a given body part being the most common."

"How accurate are those estimates?"

"We calculate that they are accurate to a level of 99.744%."

"Let's do it."

Grol assured me that I would be able to coach from my room as long as I remained relatively calm and didn't move about too much. That will be a challenge but since he said it would be painful to move around or to become too emotional I guess it will work out.

2/6: 68-41 over Maryland here. They're having a really off year, much worse than ours. 16, 4, 5 for Rudd, 16 for Huge, 7, 13, 4 for Mero. +18 RBs but 17 TOs.

I am bed bound, The past three days have been very rough. My bench coach did the coaching in this game and probably will do the same in the next. This is really debilitating. Hope it's worth it. Of course living 1200 years would make it worth it.

2/8: I can barely get up to pee. Really weak. Sleeping about 18 hours a day.

2/10: 72-55 at Rutgers. I watched the game from my bed. Didn't coach at all. My bench coach did a great job. Maybe I'm the problem. 44-22 at the half. 21, 9 for Mero, 14, 7, 5 for Rudd. +10 RBs but 20 TOs.

Mero banged his head on the floor. Day to Day. Little used guard Ken Erik is out for a couple of weeks with a sprained finger.

I had my last injections today. Still no energy at all. Hope to be able to coach our next game but not sure I will be able to.

2/13: 79-65 over #17 Purdue here. I was on the bench but my assistant was in charge. 51-19 at the half. We had a great 1st half and a lousy 2nd, but the lead was too big to blow. 17, 5, 5 for Rudd, 18 for Mero. 16 TOs.

17-7, 10-4, #12, RPI #6. Tied for 4th, 2 back of 1st.

I'm definitely starting to feel better but I need a few more days. I do think I'll be able to coach our next game though.

The ship will be here in about 4 months.

[Wayne23]

2/17: 54-45 over #20 Illinois at the Civic Center. I coached this one. 28-16 at the half. 14, 3, 4 for Huge, 13, 5, 3 for Rudd. +21 RBs, 15 TOs.

It felt good to coach again. I'm not 100% yet but well enough to leave the hospital tomorrow and feeling stronger every day.

2/20: 69-65 at Nebraska. We just almost lost to the last place team. Still, a win is a win. It was close all the way. We hit our free throws in the last minute to ice it.

18, 2, 4 for Rudd, 17 for Huge, 13, 8 for Mero. +7 RBs, 16 TOs.

Tied for 3rd. 2 back of 1st.

I feel like I'm back at 100% healthwise.

2/22: 76-57 at Iowa. Good road win! 20, 5, 10 for Rudd, 15, 5 for Jeng. +10 RBs but 20 TOs.

Talking with Darma every day and with the Council as a whole most days.

2/24: 76-50 over Rutgers at Gampel. 33-16 at the half. 19, 9, 3 for Mero, 18, 8, 4 for Rudd, 15 for Huge. A terrific +26 RBs but 18 TOs.

In a 2 way tie for 2nd in the Big Ten.

3/1: 73-61 at Indiana. We needed this one. 19, 5, 6 for Rudd, 20, 2, 6 for Huge. +22 RBs but 22 TOs.

Still in a 2 way tie for 2nd with one to play, at home vs. 9th place Minnesota.

3/3: 68-40. 38-22 at the half. 13, 8, 5 for Rudd, 15, 7 for Huge, 14, 4, 4 for Mero. +20 RBs, 13 TOs.

#4, RPI #5. 23-7, 16-4, tied for 2nd. I think we have the #2 seed.

We end the regular season with a 9 game win streak.

3/5: Sub SF Al Dano goes pro.

[Wayne23]

3/8: We play #7 seed Ohio ST, 18-14, 10-10 in the quarters. We won by 16 at their place.

3/9: 81-57. 47-30 at the half and it was never a game. 19 for Huge. +15 RBs, 14 TOs.

#11 seed Indiana, 19-15, 6-14 has parlayed three upsets into a trip to the semis. We won by 23 at our place, by 12 at theirs.

3/10: 69-59 gets us to the title game. 36-20 at the half and the final score was as close as they got in the 2nd half. 24, 5, 3 for Huge, 21, 6, 3 for Rudd. +16 RBs, 16 TOs.

#1 seed, #2 ranked Michigan ST, 30-3, 18-2. We beat them by 8 at their place but this is a terrific team.

3/11: 73-57 and the title! We led all the way and during the 2nd half we stretched it out to 21. 20, 7, 10 for tourney MOP Mel Rudd, 19, 3, 3 for Huge, 15, 12, 4 for Mero. +14 RBs. 21 TOs.

12 straight wins. This should get us a #1 seed.

3/12: #1 Midwest. We play #16 Mount ST Mary, 17-15.

3/16: 83-45. Never a game. 22, 3 for Huge, 16, 14, 4 for Mero. +19 RBs, 11 TOs.

#8 seed, old rival Michigan, 23-9, in round 2. We split a pair in the regular season.

3/18: 75-43. 17, 12 for Jeng, 18, 10 for Kirz; haven't heard from those two in ages. 16, 6, 3 for Mero. +19 RBs, 14 TOs.

We seem to have peaked at the right time; 14 in a row.

#12 seed Purdue, 23-12, in the Sweet Sixteen. We split a pair in the regular season.

3/23: 61-46. 16, 8, 4 for Kirz, 15, 7 for Mero, 12, 5, 7 for Huge. 12 TOs.

#3 seed, #11 ranked Kentucky, 29-10, in the Elite Eight. We think we're the better team but we need to play well.

3/25: 62-51! We led for the last 30 minutes or so. 18, 4, 5 for Rudd. Solid D. +10 RBs.

This will be my 2nd trip to the Final Four, my first here at UConn.

We play #2 seed, #4 ranked Pitt, 33-5. We're favored but they can play.

On the other side it's #1 seed, #2 ranked Michigan ST vs. #7 seed, unranked Louisville. An all Big Ten final is possible.

4/1: 93-77! 23, 5 for Kirz, who has come alive in the post season. 19, 3, 3 for Huge. +11 RBs.

Unranked Louisville shocked Michigan ST by 13. We're favored by 4 1/2.

4/3: 72-63 and the national title! We played a steady game, overcoming an early 6 point deficit and leading by 4 at the half. We stretched it out to 19 in the 2nd and they then came back, but not far enough. The closest they got late was 6 points. 18, 3 for Kirz, 17, 3, 5 for Rudd, 10, 10 for Mero, 8, 10 for Jeng. +17
RBs. 25 TOs but it didn;t really matter.

Never in my wildest dreams did I expect this when we were struggling so much. We won our last 18 games.

4/4: Matt Kirz is Tourney MOP. In the Big Ten Mel Rudd makes the 1st team, Rob Mero makes the 2nd.

I am in an absolute state of shock. It is often said that the NCAA tournament is about who gets hot at the right time. That pretty much defined us. We got hot and the top teams lost. We didn't face a #1 seed, and only had to beat one #2 and one #3 seed. We were never threatened in the post season, never needed a lucky break. Again, amazing!

I'm not going anywhere, no matter the offer.

4/23: I ask for $.

Wow! Got $98,000! Yeah, I'll take it!

32-7, 16-4, and somehow, the national title. After 18 seasons I'm 469-155, .752.

The ship will be here in less than 2 months!