Q: Why do you Chronicle?
A: For several reasons, the most important being that we love looking back through the years at all of the happenings of the various Final Fours we have attended, and it is a great way to enhance our memories as some of the tournaments fade into the distance. A secondary effect is that we have become hyper-aware of our surroundings - the people, the places, and the conversations around us - to enable us to enjoy someone or something upon which we may never have picked up, or heard if we were not trying to chronicle all of the minutiae of the event.
Q: Who does the Chronicling?
A: We get this one every year. We all take notes throughout the day, and we all contribute to the process of uploading the events to the blog. Once we feel everything has been typed, we each take a turn at editing, sometimes for content, sometimes for grammar and diction, and sometimes just because. So, in short, we all do.
Q: I am confused. Why are the women tagged in the Facebook postings of the Chronicle? Do they attend, and if not, why not?
A: This year our respective wives did not attend, but they have in the past, and they are always invited/welcome. But, for two primary reasons they have not been attending in some time: (1) For as far back as we can remember only one of us has won the lottery for tickets in any given year, so we only have 4 tickets to the games; and (2) I am not sure they can really stand us all together four days+ straight. And frankly, I don't blame them. They key to remember is, that they are always invited. We tag them so they, like the rest of our readers, can follow along with our adventures. And, at least one of our wives LOOKS FORWARD to reading our entries. We should note that we also get this question every year.
Q: Why do we care what time you wake up and what you have for breakfast?
A: We don't necessarily think you do, and sometimes neither do we. But the day - and thus the Chronicle - has to start somehow, and it makes sense to start from the beginning.
Q: How is San Antonio as a host city?
A: As a host city, San Antonio ranks pretty high. Very walkable Riverwalk and a very walkable to the stadium from the Riverwalk. Other areas of the city, like say, The Pearl, have a lot going on within their own area/neighborhood, and they are walkable among themselves, but not so much with the rest of the city. Lots of bars/restaurants, but very slanted toward Mexican/food and drinks, as well as themed chain restaurants/bars. That being said, San Antonio is good place to host the Final Four, but alas it is dropping out of the rotation. A stadium that seats 20-35K less people than other cities, and newer, bigger, domed stadiums in other cities (Dallas, Detroit, and Las Vegas for example), make it hard for the NCAA to return.
Q: How is San Antonio in general?
A: Well, the Riverwalk is very entertaining with a lot, and we mean A LOT, going on. But, as Kev-O put it, "Riverwalk is like Bourbon Street and EPCOT mated and had a baby." And that is incredibly accurate. The city itself, despite being the 7th most populous city in the United States, has almost ZERO skyline. What it does have a lot of is large leg tatoos. It also has a visible unhoused population, although that is something we have noticed in most of the southern states over the past few years (Phoenix/Scottsdale/Glendale last year, Houston before that, and New Orleans before that). We had a lot of fun, and some really good food, but San Antonio is good for all of that, but not necessarily great.
Q: As for the games, weren't they great?
A: Yes, and no. The games were close and highly competitive, and it is unusual that we see all three games be that close. But they were not great games. Very sloppy, by all teams. Part of that is because Houston plays tough, in your face, defense forcing sloppy play, while also being a bit sloppy themselves, and Florida has struggled with turnovers this whole year. So exciting, Yes; great, No.
Q: Have you ever seen an ending like Houston's last play in the Final?
A: No, we haven't, but that ending was so very appropriate for that particular game.
Q: Who had the best fans?
A: Certainly not Duke. Auburn fans could not have left sooner after the end of the semifinals than they did. They must have already had their flights purchased. Houston was out IN FORCE in the finals, but they were not omnipresent around town like their numbers would have suggested. That is probably because a lot of Houston fans live/work in and around the San Antonio area and just came in for the game. Doesn't lend itself to any additional contributions to the ambiance of the event.
Q: Who were you cheering for?
A: Never Duke. Pepster and Sinickal had selected Florida to win in their respective NCAA Tournament Pool brackets - Pepster even had Florida over Houston - but we were captivated by how Houston controls the game, even when they lost. Oh, and by the way - NEVER DUKE!
Q: Did Florida State actually win the 2020 NCAA National Championship?
A: No. It was canceled because of Covid. But, that was probably FSU's best chance ever to win.
Q: Who was one of the Carolina Panthers who Pepster knew his alma mater?
A: Adam Thielen - Mankato State.
Q: What was so interesting about the story of a co-worker asking Allison if she works outside of the home?
A: Interesting? No. Possibly degrading and hilarious? Yes. The question basically just asked if she had a job.
Q: How are the academic credentials of Virginia overrated?
A: In short, a large number of classes may be taken Credit/No Credit, instead of for a grade. This doesn't apply to general education credits or your major classes, but still.
Q: While we are on the topic of ACC academic credentials, what type of majors for Duke students was discussed?
A: You don't want to know.
Q: Christian Laettner played basketball and "offsides" is a football term.
A: Not a question, and precisely.
Q: What is the R. Kelly joke?
A: You don't want to know. And if you do, ask us in person. Not going on this blog. [Ed. Note - It vilifies R. Kelly, not celebrates him, but still.]
Q: Why do you call Day 3 of the Chronicle "The Interregnum?"
A: In general, an "Interregnum" refers to a time between leaders. Although British history has had a couple of famous interregnums, this term is often used in conjunction with the Papacy (timely note given Pope Francis' recent passing.) With regard to the Papacy, conclaves couldn't always meet immediately, and sometimes they could not agree immediately, so the Interregnum could last two to three years. In our case, Sunday is the "Interregnum" because it is the day between games.
Q: Why were you discussing the Intricacies of Monitoring the Transfer Portal as an NAIA school?
A: Sounds like a future presentation topic.
Q: What "Profession" is Tony in?
A: Never you mind!
Q: Did Racecar actually text Pepster, "Don't be sloppy" in reference to the Gators play?
A: Yes she did. And she was very prescient. Turns out the Gators won anyway. As a refresher, Racecar is a University of Florida alumna.
Q: Cancun Queso Cooler. That is brilliant.
A: Not a question, but yes, yes it is.
Q: Where is next year's Final Four.
A: Indianapolis, Indiana. Just a great - and we mean GREAT - Final Four city. Plus St. Elmo's.
Q: Will the WeMakeItRain crew be in attendance?
A: The plan is yes. The AirBnB rental is already in progress, some or most of us have already put in for the lottery for tickets, and Pepster has already made the reservation for St. Elmo!!!
