Sounding Off

The real sports stories you’ll want to talk about this weekend.

Hello Dolly,

The Last Night’s Game Team

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College Basketball

The final four teams playing for the college basketball national championship are taking the court this weekend, with the women playing today and the men tomorrow. Many of the teams arrived earlier this week but this time the men’s team from Michigan State hopped on their flight without a few important people. They left behind the band and the cheerleaders. The extra seats on the team’s charter flight were filled with donors and other VIPs so the people in charge of the fanfare were forced to take a bus. WE’VE GOT SPIRIT, HOW ‘BOUT YOU?

Overtime

It’s frowned upon, and even considered bad luck, to have a pink NASCAR race car but no one has ever had an opportunity like this one. There's no way you'll miss Tyler Reddick’s car in the NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) Xfinity Series as it’s pink with Dolly Parton’s face on the hood. It also features her signature butterfly along with logos for Parton-owned businesses. COAT OF MANY COLORS  

Sideline stat

Always wanted to play your accordion in a professional setting? Well, now you can. The Florida Marlins (MLB - Major League Baseball) are encouraging fans to bring their own musical instruments to games. Fans can sit in the designated “Comunidad 305” section with other musicians. In case you’re wondering kazoos, vuvuzelas, thundersticks, air horns and whistles are not allowed because that would be annoying. WHAT COULD GO WRONG?

Coaches’ corner

University of Virginia’s Kyle Guy was forced to take down his wedding registry by the NCAA (governing body for college sports) for fear it might break their rules. Guy has been a critical part of the team’s run for the college basketball national championship and a news source posted the couple’s registry, encouraging fans to support the soon-to-be husband and wife. The NCAA received word of it and put the kibosh on the potential bridegroom bounty. WEDDING CRASHERS

What to watch

The women’s national championship game is on Sunday and will feature the winners of Oregon vs. Baylor and UConn vs. Notre Dame. The men’s game will be on Monday, pitting the winners of Virginia vs. Auburn and Michigan State vs. Texas Tech against each other. BRING IT ON

There's A First Time For Everything

The first Monday of the month is an ideal time to drum up a conversation.

Starting off on the right foot,

The Last Night’s Game Team

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College Basketball

The Final Four teams in the NCAA College Basketball March Madness tournament are set. Both Auburn and Texas Tech are heading to their first Final Four in school history. The head coach of Virginia is making his first trip to the Final Four and Michigan State, well…welcome back. The games will take place on Saturday. YOU’LL NEVER FORGET YOUR FIRST
 

Overtime

San Diego is the home of the Padres (MLB – Major League Baseball) and of course, Ron Burgundy. The Padres paid tribute to the Channel 4 news team from the movie Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy in their new mascot race. Yes, the large headed versions of Ron Burgundy, Champ Kind, Brian Fantana and Brick Tamland raced around the track with Mr, Burgundy taking home the win in the inaugural race. SIXTY PERCENT OF THE TIME, IT WORKS EVERY TIME

Sideline stat

Olympian Michael Phelps and his wife, Nicole, announced they're expecting their third child. Baby No. 3 will join siblings Boomer, 2 and Beckett, 1. MAKE YOUR OWN SWIM TEAM 

Coaches’ corner

A dinosaur throwing out the first pitch at a Texas Rangers (MLB) game went exactly as you’d imagine. Short arms aren’t exactly ideal for throwing a strike across the plate either, although a dino can dream. THAT’S EMBARRASSING

Don't Worry, Be Happy

The Olympics may be over (boo) but the world of sports doesn’t stop turning (yay). Here’s what you missed over the weekend that you can share around the watercooler today.

Did you hear…

The Last Night’s Game

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NFL (National Football League)

When you’re thinking about quitting your day job. The NFL (National Football League) has partnered with the NBA (National Basketball League) to provide their players with an externship to prepare for life after football. If you’re in Manhattan on Tuesday, don’t be surprised to see an NFL player ringing up your purchases at the NBA Store. One player not looking for a job? Retired NFL player Charles “Peanut” Tillman who recently became a full-time FBI agent. What like it’s hard?

Golf

So a tiger and a goose walk into a bar. Tiger Woods finished a tournament in the top 15 for the first time since 2015 but it wasn’t without some sacrifices. He hit an unsuspecting goose with a shot. The goose was okay but it would've been better if it ducked. 

Overtime

The U.S. Curling team won its first ever gold medal in the Winter Olympics, something The Simpsons predicted back in 2010. The team was on top of the world until they tweeted at Delta for possible upgrades on their flights home. Delta promptly denied their request stating that they “didn’t have any upgrades to offer but congratulations.” The answer’s always no if you don’t ask.  

Sideline stat

Norway took home the most medals at the Games, 39, breaking the record for most medals won by a country in the Winter Olympics. The previous record was held by the United States.  

Coaches’ corner

In September, the FBI released the names of four college basketball teams that were part of a pay-to-play scandal. Over the weekend the FBI released additional coaches, players, agents and schools involved in the scandal. The list now includes, but isn’t limited to, Oklahoma State University, Auburn, University of Arizona, Duke, North Carolina, Texas, Kentucky, Michigan State, USC, Kansas and Alabama. FULL LIST OF SCHOOLS

What to watch

No need to go into depression now that the Winter Olympics are over. The inspiring athletic greatness of the Paralympic Games start on March 8.