Luck Of The Irish

The March Madness tournament is underway and there have been heartbreaking losses but the Cinderella teams live on.

Forget the lucky glass slippers, they’re in Air Jordans,

The Last Night’s Game Team

---

College Basketball

When no one saw it coming. The Buffalo Bulls (No. 13) routed bracket favorite University of Arizona (No. 4) last night. It was a good old fashion beat down that even basketball fan, former President Obama didn’t predict in his bracket. That loss probably cleared some people out of your office pool. For that, this Buffalo player says "sorry, not sorry." RESULTS

If you’re “nun” the wiser. Loyola Chicago (No. 11) upset Miami (No. 6) in the first round yesterday but the biggest star of the game wasn’t anyone on the court. Loyola’s 98-year-old chaplain, Sister Jean, stole the spotlight with her excitement. She prays with the team before games and also sends them emails with positive messages, and sometimes constructive criticism, between games. Sister Jean is clearly the fan favorite.

How’s your bracket doing? Check it here.

 

Overtime

The saying “don’t quit your day job” is around for a reason. Actor Susan Sarandon is a longtime New York Rangers fan (NHL - National Hockey League) and because of her celebrity status she was given the rare opportunity to be a guest commentator on TV for a game. It went over like a juice bar at a tailgate party. According to Twitter, fans everywhere turned off their TVs after Sarandon called one of the players “sexy.” Maybe she needs a little Last Night’s Game in her life?

Sideline stat

Team U.S.A. continues to dominate in the Paralympics, leading the medal count. The Men's U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team beat Italy 10-1 in the semifinals and will face Canada in the gold medal game on Sunday. The U.S. Team is seeking its third-straight Paralympic gold medal.

Coaches’ corner

Butler opens their March Madness tournament today against Arkansas but a key member of their team will be missing. Their team spirit and mascot, bulldog Butler Blue III aka Trip, will not be at the game because the NCAA (the governing body for college sports) does not allow live mascots in the arena for the opening round of the tournament due to space constraints. Trip may have had some FOMO when posting on social media but he continued to spread cheer outside the arena. You can’t keep a good (bull)dog down.

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

---

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.

5 Things You Didn’t Know About The Olympics

After nearly a week of Olympic coverage, you’d think you’ve heard it all. We answer the questions you were too afraid to ask in today’s Five Things To Know.

Gold medal goodness,

The Last Night’s Game Team

---

Five Things You Didn’t Know About The Olympics

1. Ever wonder how skaters come off the ice without enormous wedgies? (You know you did). Some have been known to sew the bottom of their costume to their tights to keep everything in place. Gymnasts do something similar by using spray adhesive to keep their back tuck from becoming a full moon.

2. Real men wear pink and speedskaters wear blue. Why? Well no one really knows but there seems to be a consensus amongst the athletes that blue skates faster. That’s why you’ll even see teams that notoriously wear red, like Norway, wearing blue on the ice.

3. Have you watched the Olympians hurl down the tunnel of ice in the luge? You didn’t think there was room to hide anything in those skintight uniforms, but what you don’t really see is a vital neck strap. This strap helps the athlete hold their head up when they reach high g-forces. Do not try this one at home.

4. How do athletes in sports like skiing stay warm when they can’t wear a scarf? Athletic tape. They use athletic tape that resembles a giant Band-Aid to keep their nose and cheeks warm. It’s like a pore strip, only more patriotic. PICS

5. Coaches are an integral part of gold medal success but who pays for them? Athletes (or their families) typically pay for their coaches, putting them in a precarious financial situation. Different governing bodies (i.e. U.S. Figure Skating) have been known to also offer coaches medal incentives, similar to the athletes.

That’s not all folks

If you’re already over the Olympics or are looking for something else to talk about besides wedgies, here are the top three things happening in the world of sports. Find out what’s new in this year’s Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition, why Shaun White cried like a baby and which four-legged friend is 'best in show.' READ