Welcome to this week’s Six Pack! Each week, I’ll share a mix of thoughts - some sports-related, some not - and I’d love for you to jump in with your reactions, ideas, or recommendations in the comments. Here’s what’s on my mind this week (and warning – today is mostly basketball themed in honor of one of the greatest sports events of the year)!
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Like most sports fans, I absolutely love March Madness. Believe it or not, I’ve never done Vegas for opening weekend - though it’s high on my bucket list and something I might finally prioritize next year. What I have done, though, is attend several live NCAA Tournament games - opening rounds, regionals, even a Final Four. And there’s just something special about watching March Madness in person. It’s a completely different energy than watching at home or at a bar.
I first took my oldest son Brady to the tournament back in 2015 in Columbus. He was ten at the time, and while it was fun, it felt different - he was still young, and that arena didn’t serve beer, so… you know. Fast forward to this year, and we made another trip - this time to Lexington for a full day of hoops. And it was an absolute blast.
We didn’t have a team we were emotionally tied to, but we rooted for our bracket picks and got caught up in the energy, especially with the Louisville fans around us everywhere. None of the games were nail-biters, but honestly, it didn’t matter. Hanging out with my son, catching up, laughing, watching game after game - it was awesome.
Sports are incredible for a lot of reasons, but at the top of the list is how they bring people together. Thursday was one of those days I’ll always remember.
So thank you, March Madness. And I love you, Brady.
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While I had a wonderful time with my son and truly enjoyed our day in Lexington, I have to say that I’m just not a big fan of Rupp Arena. I feel some perceive it as one of those “must-visit” venues in college basketball, likely because it’s home to one of the sport’s most storied and polarizing programs: the Kentucky Wildcats. And yes, the history is undeniable. Seeing the eight national championship banners and the long list of retired numbers was definitely a cool moment.
But as far as the actual arena experience? It left a lot to be desired. For starters, there’s very little charm or character to the place. It’s part of a larger convention-style complex and connected to a Hyatt hotel - you have to take elevators just to get into the arena, which makes for an odd and underwhelming entrance. Once inside, everything feels tight and crowded. There weren’t nearly enough concession stands, the bathroom lines were absurd, and the cramped seating made for an uncomfortable experience overall.
That said, there were some positives. Parking was surprisingly easy, and the area around the arena had plenty of bars and restaurants, which made the day much more enjoyable. Lexington itself was great.
But as far as Rupp goes? It didn’t give me the “bucket list” vibe you might expect from a storied arena like this. I haven’t been to Cameron Indoor or Phog Allen Fieldhouse, but I have to believe those offer a better arena atmosphere and game day experience. Kentucky's trophy case is elite, but their arena? Not so much.
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On the drive home, Brady mentioned a stat I hadn’t heard before, and I thought it was pretty interesting. Every seed line from No. 1 through No. 8 has produced at least one national champion - except the No. 5 seed. Despite all the madness over the years, 5-seeds have made it to the championship game four times... and lost all four:
• 1984: Georgetown Hoyas lost to the Houston Cougars
• 2000: Florida Gators fell to Michigan State
• 2010: Butler came up just short against Duke
• 2023: San Diego State was overpowered by UConn
It’s one of those quirky stats that probably doesn’t mean much, but is still fun to throw around during tournament season.
This year, if the curse is going to be broken, it’ll have to be by Michigan – the only #5 seed left and an underdog in the Sweet 16. Could it finally happen? I wouldn’t bet on it… but hey, its March so stay tuned.
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I love sports movies and there are a ton of great ones out there. But when it comes to basketball, the list gets surprisingly short. Outside of ????????, which is an undeniable classic, there aren’t many that I truly love. ????? ??? ???’? ???? is entertaining, but I’m not convinced it’s an all-time great. And as for ???? ??????, ?? ??? ????, ????? ??????? Honestly, they never quite hit for me.
Then I started thinking specifically about college basketball movies, and I could only come up with two: ???? ????? (which is not good) and ????? ????, which is actually great and probably sits right behind ???????? on the basketball movie rankings.
But that’s it? Really?
It’s shocking that there aren’t more films focused on college basketball, especially March Madness. You have one of the most compelling sporting events of the year, filled with drama, emotion, and gritty underdog stories - just ask George Mason, Loyola Chicago, or Florida Atlantic. If that doesn’t say “movie-worthy,” I don’t know what does.
Where’s the epic tale of a Cinderella run to the Final Four? Or a fictional team’s magical championship push? Hollywood, we’re waiting.
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I was in a discussion with some friends the other day, and the name Tom Izzo came up. And of course a debate ensued, specifically around whether or not he’s overrated, especially given that he’s “only” won one national championship.
Now, I’ve written before about my admiration for Izzo. The 8 Final Fours, the 27 consecutive tournament bids - I'm a fan. So this isn't a defense of Izzo (he doesn’t need one). But the conversation got me thinking: how many coaches actually have multiple national titles?
Short answer: not as many as you might think.
Ten coaches in men’s college basketball history have exactly ??? championships. That’s it. And when you look at those with ????? ?? ????? The list is even shorter with just six names:
• John Wooden – 10
• Mike Krzyzewski – 5
• Adolph Rupp – 4
• Jim Calhoun – 3
• Bob Knight – 3
• Roy Williams – 3
That’s the whole list. Six coaches in the history of the sport.
So yeah - winning even one national championship is hard. Really hard. Everything has to go right - talent, chemistry, health, matchups, a bounce here or there. Doing it twice puts you in rare company. Three or more? You’re a unicorn.
So hats off to any coach who’s ever cut down the nets. And to the ones who’ve done it more than once - you’re in a club so exclusive, it barely has room for a table.
Tip of the cap to you, sirs.
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I’m pretty excited (and honestly, a little proud) to share that I recently became a published children’s book author. When my kids were younger, I used to make up bedtime stories for them - complete with recurring characters, plot twists, and adventures they always wanted more of. Over time, I probably told them 30 different stories from the same “world”, but they all lived in my head.
This past Christmas, I decided to write down the very first story I ever told them (to the best of my recollection) and surprise the family with a printed version. I hired an illustrator, worked with a small publisher, and just planned to get a few copies made. But the editor really liked it, helped expand it with activities and maps, and now – somehow - I’ve got a real book out in the world.
It’s called ????? & ???????’? ????? ????????? and it just went live on Amazon. (Like publishing often goes, it was supposed to be ready by Christmas… and finally went live two weeks ago.)
If you’re into that sort of thing - or know someone with kids who might be - I’d love for you to check it out. And yes, book two is officially in the works.
Thanks for checking out this week’s Six Pack, Sandman Nation! I’d love to hear your thoughts: what resonated with you, what you disagree with, or your own takes on these topics. Drop your comments and let’s keep the conversation going.
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