Louisville 62, Duke 73.
So, here I sit, Dream Weaver that Pat Kelsey has proven to be, sitting at the Thanksgiving dinner table.
Heck, we didn’t even know if it was going to come together at all this year. Some of us have been ill. Others just out of sorts. Some gone.
But in the end we gathered.
And, oh what a feast it’s been. The turkey this time around especially juicy and tasty. Gotta remember what kind for next year. The oyster dressing positively sublime.
Oh my, the garlic truffle mashed potatoes. Haven’t had those before. It won’t be the last.
Saved Aunt Martha’s to-die-for green bean casserole for last. It was a bit off frankly. Disappointing.
Have to remember she’s been hurting. Visits to the doc and PT.
Yet I push away from the table, loosen my belt which, imagine my surprise, has gotten a little tight over the last while.
I am savoring the whole deal. The glorious wonder of it all.
Not just the food. But the conversation. The connection. That one of the kids while running around, knocked over a lamp and cracked its base. To no consequence really, but we had to console her guilt. We’ll laugh about for years.
This is the way it ought to be.
This is the way it hasn’t been for a few years now.
Yeah, I was really looking forward to that casserole, but come on. Next time, for sure.
Now, as we’re clearing the table, I am smiling.
Dessert is still to come.
* * * * *
Before this campaign began, even the most deliriously optimistic of Cardinal fanatics could not possibly have imagined seriously short-handed Louisville would be playing talent-overloaded Duke for the ACC tourney crown.
That Selection Sunday would dawn and we would not be chewing on some Double Bubble, we wouldn’t be fretting about whether the Cards name will be called a bit after 6:00 PM.
Gotta find that pair of Tony Manero dancin’ shoes. They’re somewhere in the closet. Covered with dust.
Because, Last Night’s Disappointment Notwithstanding, the University of Louisville Cardinals, the 27-7 Louisville Cardinals, the Louisville Cardinals that had lost but once before last night this calendar year . . . this overachieving beloved gang of Louisville Cardinals . . .
. . . will be competing in the NCAA Tournament.
Damn, I love typing those words.
* * * * *
All of which musing is to say this wag simply feels no need to breakdown what mighta coulda woulda shoulda happened Saturday night against the Evil Empire. For me there are no this or thats, if onlys, what happened theres, what was that abouts.
The Cardinals played.
Duke is way taller, way longer, way way more talented, and well coached. Absent some guy whose name escapes me, they still simply won.
But, ya know, all 68 invitees to the Dance will stand 0-0.
Among them, my Cardinals. My loyal reader’s Cardinals.
The future?
Make sure those shades don’t have any smudges.
Bright might be too mild a word.
As for Thanksgiving, this one was not the last.
— c d kaplan
I give thanks for the season. I give thanks for the pride. And I give thanks that I will not have to listen to Corey Alexander for at least another year. Amen.
Corey Alexander & the obsequiously fawning and impossible to listen to Dick Vitale made last night’s game more of a disaster than it actually was. I too am thankful no mas this season.
We are essentially a 3 man squad in reality as the horrendous Waterman – the overmatched Scott – the “ I have no idea why Seedy loves Traore this much” couldn’t carry even a small load after a valiant and gritty first half.
Chucky looked worn out among the trees – Edwards was amazing but got lost in playing “hero ball” in the last 12 minutes but hope shines eternal and we are dancing in March‼️‼️A fabulously uplifting season and Kelsey and assistants and squad have performed miracles.
So looking forward to being a 6 or 7 seed and underrated again as the real ballin’ begins ❤️
Go Cards ‼️
I disagree about Cory Alexander and Dicky V
Dickie is 85 years old and a double cancer survivor and while I am not thrilled with is announcing proclivities you still gotta give the guy credit for raising millions of dollars for cancer research.
Even if the cards go nowhere in the tournament it’s been a wonderful season, completely unanticipated
Could not disagree more about Scott and Waterman and Edwards, whom I didn’t believe was playing hero ball. Or Traore who was playing the 5 for heaven’s sake, against Maluach, battling like a mo fo. Alexander is insufferable. Dickie V is Dickie V. He gets a long long long leash here because he is an eminently decent, nice, self-effacing man. Which i learned when I spent a day with him, including lunch. Plus he’s a philanthropist of the highest order. And like Gary said, he’s 85 years old, and is responsible for ESPN becoming the hoops power it has.
I may have been a tad harsh on Dickie V and apologize for my insensitivity given my personal and familial experience with Cancer – but I’ve seen the same emotional schtick at least 3 times this season already / not denigrating his charitable contributions and ESPN but it was Chuck Schumer redux to me – Also all Inmeant about Edwards whom I absolutely love is there were numerous times he never looked for Chucky or J’Vonne to play a 2 man game & he was just taking on too much of a burden – “hero ball” was actually Winston’s comment – Seedy your points about our other players just reinforce my point that without Reyne we are basically a 3 man team – that makes what we’ve accomplished even more incredible ‼️‼️
https://www.facebook.com/share/18tSQCANuD/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Take a look at this photo and remember two amazing legends who I never stop thinking about this time of year – peace
Thank you for sharing that photo Mr. Bunny – I thought I had seen every photo of Al McGuire but this was a new one. I love the joyful expression in his smile. There were a couple of other familiar faces but I only recognized Packer and McGuire. Do you know any of the others?
To Mark Stanton:
Mark I doubt you would recognize the rest of us but some on this feed will – It was a glorious moment in time –
https://www.facebook.com/share/18tSQCANuD/?mibextid=wwXIfr
From left to right –
The great Billy Packer – Marc Winston who went to W & L with Seedy & Seedy introduced us at the 1975 Final Four in SanDiego & for the last 50 years has been my best pal – the great Al McGuire in back – Billy’s attorney Kenny Farino – the other bearded guy is ME & Winston’s ex-employee Jon Boisclair @ Mutual Broadcasting Network in DC when we signed the deal for the “Packer- McGuire College Basketball Report” in 1982
Since Billy & Al had both left NBC & Billy had gone to be lead analyst @ CBS – these two guys had to be creative on doing their taping of this show –
My fave stories from that time are Billy & Al meeting at airports like O’Hare between flights & taping in like bathrooms
Also one time the 2 of them were in Louisville together with us & all Al wanted to do was go to Frankfort Avenue &! Shop for his “toy soldier” collection
What a hoot ‼️To get to know and work with these two legends was truly a thrill –
Thanks for the info and the stories Mr. Bunny! I guess you all just looked like cool dudes I had seen somewhere!
Are you kidding me ‼️‼️ WTF we drop to an 8 seed – Incroyable – Play Creighton in Lexington on Thursday & if somehow we win we get OVERALL #1 seed AUBURN – an incomprehensible #1 overall who’s lost 3 of last 4 ‼️‼️
#hosejob
Thanks for the above comment Seedy. I concur wholeheartedly. Waterman, Scott and Kader are gutsy players who give it their very best. Not to mention considering each of their significant injuries. Dickie V is a mensch, a survivor and does so much to raise not only funds for cancer research, but awareness of this insidious disease.
Alexander is a putz.
Now, let’s play ball. Beat Creighton. Or to lean into your musical references, “Get Pissed! Destroy!!” (“Anarchy In The UK” — The Sex Pistols.)
Wanna bet Clemson who we beat TWICE is seeded higher than us ?
Cmon man // Clemson a 5 & Cards an 8