The Final Four Chronicles: FAQ

 

So one week out from the National Championship game (and the Final Four Chronicles), and as always, your boys are being inundated with questions about the trip.  Here are some "important" questions from our readership that we think we should answer.

Q:  Who all went on the trip?  We suspect it is the four guys (Kev-O, Pepster, Sinickal, Tony), but in the Facebook prompts for the Chronicles, you always tag three of the ladies.  Are they present also?

A:  This question seems to come up every year.  Our respective wives (Susan, Racecar, Allison) are always invited, and welcome, but they seldom want to join us.  I suppose it depends upon the location, timing/schedules and teams.  In a pre-Kev-O trip, Allison and Racecar did join us in Indianapolis, and Racecar is still a little miffed at herself that she did not go last year to San Antonio, being University of Florida alumna, but none of the wives attended this year.

Q:    Why do you always tag us?  Stop doing that!  (From Racecar)

A:    Our bad.

Q:    How much planning goes into the trip beforehand?

A:    Well, we enter the NCAA ticket lottery as soon as it opens, which is generally the week after the tournament concludes (so now).  Then we book plane tickets and an AirBnB generally at the end of the year.  For individually planning of each day, we generally just wing it, except for one really good meal during the trip.  This year it was St. Elmo, which Pepster booked on the Wednesday after touching down back home from San Antonio in 2025.

Q:   Is St Elmo really that good?

A:    Quick Answer is YES!!!  Longer answer is ... it is pretty amazing, but it depends upon what you are looking for in a steakhouse.  They only have one appetizer on the menu because the shrimp cocktail is so legendary.  But, if you are looking for a lot of choices, this isn't the place.  The ambiance is steakhouse ambiance, but very busy, so if you want quiet, this isn't the place for you.  But, it IS amazing.

Q:    What one thing stood out to you about this trip?

A:    On the court it was the extremely poor basketball.  Off the court, it was Ithiyia, our waitress at The Fountain Room for brunch on Saturday, and no, this isn't a veiled post about looks.  She was absolutely amazing.  On top of everything we needed without being constantly at our table, jumping in with quick quips after she hears parts of our conversation as she delivered food, drinks, and more drinks, putting up with us staying longer than we wanted to because it started pouring rain outside, just really a great server.  The type we all wish we had at every meal.  And the food/drinks were great too.

 Q:    What was the most surprising thing that happened during this trip?

A:    On the court it was Michigan absolutely boatracing Arizona, the team most thought was the second-best team all year (behind Michigan).  Off the court was Kev-O being converted into supporting Southwestern Central (Stick 'em Scorpions!).  It was instinctive, and he almost didn't even know it was happening, as it was happening!  Soon he might become part of the administration!

Q:    What was the least surprising thing that happened during the trip?

A:    That we ended up running into and hanging with people we already knew outside of our Final Four trips.  Sinickal's friend Anne - who is "in the business" (they always are) - joined us for the Arrival Day.  [Ed. Note - In the business means in the engineering field with Sinickal and Tony].  Pepster's second-cousin-in-law Trey and his friend Tyler (we did not know Tyler beforehand) joined us for part of The Interregnum and dinner at St. Elmo!  Something akin to this ALWAYS happens.  And, we have peeps in Detroit, so we assume it will happen next year as well!

Q:    So the trip could not have been all roses.  Anything disappointing?

A:    Oh God yes.  During the weekend, we had been discussing the best starting five for each of the Final Four teams.  For example, Michigan's is Juwan Howard, Chris Webber, Jalen Rose, Glen Rice, and then really any other guard - let's say Rumeal Robinson because of the title, but Trey Burke could work, or Lendeborg could join him.  [Ed. Note - we did not discuss Lendeborg in this group; just added him for this blog entry.]  UConn's team is Ray Allen, Rip Hamilton, Emeka Okafor, Andre Drummond if you want to go big, or Clifford Robinson if you want a more standard team - with Kemba Walker at point, or Kemba and Shabazz Napier if you want to go small.  Illinois' team is Deron Williams, Dee Brown, Kendall Gill, Marcus Liberty and honestly, I don't remember the 5th - maybe Nick Anderson.  And, Arizona's team is Gilbert Arenas, Sean Elliott, Mike Bibby, Richard Jefferson, and Lauri Markkanen or DeAndre Ayton if we have to have a big, but really another guard here like Damon Stoudamire or Andre Iguodala work as well.

Q:    What is your point?

A:    Well, we decided to do this for our respective favorite teams.  Since Kev-O and Pepster are both fans of the University of Kentucky, and Kev-O is an alumnus, we tried to do Kentucky.  Point guard was a debate between John Wall and Rajon Rondo - which Kev-O eliminated by starting both of them in his backcourt.  Pepster went with Rondo and Rex Champman.  Some disagreement at the 3, with Kev-O going with Ron Mercer and Pepster selecting Jamal Mashburn.  No argument at the center position as it IS Anthony Davis.  Then came the power forward slot.  For Kev-O it is Oscar Tshiebwe, who matches well with Davis since Davis can roam inside and outside on offense and defense, and Tshiebwe can literally just grab every rebound.  Pepster couldn't think of his selection immediately and a discussion with him and Kev-O turned up KAT in a big lineup, or Jack Givens, or even Dan Issel.  And to answer the original question as we put this topic to Trey and Tyler, Tyler - a Louisville fan - suggested DeMarcus Cousins.  Who Kev-O and Pepster completely forgot about.  On the good side, Kentucky has so many stars that it is difficult to always remember them all.  On the bad side, a Louisville fan had to remind us of Boogie Cousins.  Just so disappointed in ourselves.

Q:    Reading the Chronicles, it looks like you all have a lot of fun.  What was the single most fun thing that occurred.

A:    Not sure we can accurately answer that question, but it is assuredly is NOT one of Pepster's jokes. 

Q:    What do you mean by pheromones?

A:    A really long, convoluted story which has a lot of inside reference/information/ramifications for friends outside of the trip.  So in order to keep that (somewhat) confidential, let's just say it isn't a bad thing in the context of the Chronicles.

Q:    Does Southwestern Central really have a merch store?  You guys are kidding, right?

A:    YES WE DO!  And no, we are not.

Q:    You all are just egotistical enough for this ... Are you taking credit for Viktor Orban's loss in Hungary since you watched the Last Week Tonight episode.

A:    Somehow, Yes we are.

Q:    Are all of your Holy Week references/puns (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday) intended?

A:    What do you think?

Q:    Did you all really notice drapes?  Seriously?

A:    Yes we did.  And you would have too, if you saw them!

Q:    Who IS Pam?

A;    Not sure we all really know.  She is basically a representation/manifestation of a conglomerate of people.  And no, she is not the Pam that regularly meets up with us when the Final Four is in Houston.

Q:    What and where is Kev-O's school?

A:    It is New Madrid College in New Madrid, Kentucky.

Q:    Why were you discussing hollers?

A:    Listen, in a span of four plus days, lots of unusual topics will arise in discussion.

Q:    Why did you mention the Illinoisivic shirts on the Illinois fans?

A:    Illinois has at least five Eastern Europeans on their squad, starters David Mirkovic, and Tomislav Ivisic, and rotational players Andrej Stojakovic, Zvonimir Ivisic, and Mihailo Petrovic.

Q:    DV cannot be a real person, can she?

A:    Sadly, yes.

Q:    What has "filled-in nicely?"

A:    We will probably catch some flak for that one!

Q:    You guys made up Maguire University just so you wouldn't seem so bizarre for creating Southwestern Central, right?

A:    Nope.  It was a real thing.  And not only pre-dates Southwestern Central, it predates US!!!

Q:    Did you really schedule Maguire for a home-and-home?

A:    No, not yet.  But the conversations have started.  Seriously.

Q:    How do you know Bernie Mac has good taste in women?

A:    That is a story for another day/time, but trust us, he does.

Q:    What IS the ladies' equivalent of Drakkar Noir?

A:    This is a very good question.  Please let us know once you find out!  From our senses it is Clinique "Happy".  Any ladies have a different opinion?

Q:    Are you really going to Detroit?

A:    Absolutely.  Well, we are certainly planning on it.  Of course, sometimes real life gets in the way, and it may for one or more of us next year, but it is on our respective calendars, and the plan is to attend one way or the other!!!

See you all in Detroit! 

The Final Four Chronicles: The Conclusion/FAQs

 

So, now that a couple of weeks have passed since the conclusion of this year's Final Four in San Antonio, Texas, it is time to address the questions that have come in from our readers.  This is a segment we started a couple of years ago, and we feel it is a great way to sum up our adventures.

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!!!