Game of the Day March 2013

The following is all subject to finding out when and where Minnesota's D2 and D3 (and maybe even our D1) basketball programs might be playing in the various NCAA tournaments. Edits to follow as such becomes known.

Fri., Mar. 1--Girls sectionals including 2A, 3A, 2AA, 3AA, 7AAA. Best bet is the 3A semi-final double-header at Southwest State U in Marshall potentially matching top seeds Minneota, Dawson-Boyd, Wabasso and Southwest Minnesota Christian.

Sat., Mar. 2--The boys Twin City Game featuring as-yet unknown conference champs. Mpls. Southwest and Washburn are tied for 1st in Minneapolis and, ironically, both finish conference play this week against Roosevelt. If both win or both lose, I don't know what the tie-breaker is, but I know that they split their season series. In St. Paul Highland Park and Johnson are tied for 1st. Assuming both are victorious early this week (against also-rans Harding and Humboldt), then they'll decide things the old-fashioned way, face-to-face and head-to-head Thurs., Jan. 28 at Johnson. The Minneapolis champ hosts.

Sun., Mar. 3--Minnesota Gopher women travel to last place Indiana.

Mon., Mar. 4--Miami Heat and LeBron and Dwayne at the Minnesota Timberwolves, who are desperately trying to salvage something from this season beside ping-pong balls.

Tues., Mar. 5--Girls sectionals 2A, 4A, 8A, 2AA, 4AA, 7AA, 3AAA, 5AAAA and 7AAAA. Best bet  is Section 5AAAA at Anoka where, if things go according to the seeds, it will be Roseville vs. Maple Grove and Osseo vs. Centennial. 

Wed., Mar. 6--Girls sectionals including the 6AAAA final, likely to pit Hopkins vs. Minnetonka.

Thurs., Mar. 7--Girls sectionals including the 7AA final, likely to be Braham vs. Esko.

Fri., Mar. 8--Northern Sun Final Four in Rochester where, if things go according to the seeds, you'll see  the St. Cloud vs. Winona and Mankato vs. Augustana men, and the Winona vs. Mankato and Concordia (St. Paul) vs. Augustana women. Anytime Mankato plays Winona it's a war, and the men's final will feature just such a war. The women winner will come from the other bracket, however.

Sat., Mar. 9--With any luck, the Gopher women will still be alive in the Big 10 tournament quarter-finals. Sans luck, they will have bowed out on Thursday last. If so, the Big Game becomes a boys sectional from among 1A, 3A, 4A, 7A, 8A, 1AA, 3AA, 4AA, 7AA, 1AAA, 2AAA, 5AAA, 6AAA, 8AAA, 1AAAA, 2AAAA, 3AAAA, 4AAAA and 8AAAA. If I had to chose 1 right now I would go see 4AAAA where according to QRF you'd be seeing Roseville vs. Tartan and Woodbury vs. Stillwater.

Sun., Mar. 10--It will be a miracle if the Gopher women are playing today in the Big 10 semis. Sans miracle, there's Dallas at the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Mon., Mar. 11--No games that I'm aware of.

Tues., Mar. 12--Boys sectional action in 4A, 8A, 4AA, 3AAA, 4AAA, 5AAAA and 6AAAA. All are semis except 6AAAA which is the final. I would always opt for a double-header if possible meaning (projected) Osseo vs. Maple Grove and Park Center vs. Champlin in 5AAAA even ahead of Edina vs. Hopkins for the 6AAAA title.

Wed., Mar. 13--Girls state tournament action begins with 4A and 2A at Target Center, and 3A and 2A at Williams. I think 3A will provide some closer games than 4A, and then in 2A New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva and Carlie Wagner will also be at Williams. 

Thurs., Mar. 14--No offense to the girls 1A quarter-finals at Williams and 3A and 4A semis at Target, but the Gopher men open Big 10 tournament play today except in the utterly implausible possibility that they rally into 1 of the top 4 spots in the regular season standing and get a 1st round bye. Ain't gonna happen, folks. Let's just hope we draw somebody who doesn't know how to play a zone!

Fri., Mar. 15--Here's hoping the Gopher men win at least 1 game in the Big 10 tournament and live to play a quarter-final game today. If not, boys sectional finals are on tap in 2A, 4A, 5A, 6A, 7A, 8A, 2AA, 4AA, 5AA, 6AA, 8AA, 1AAA, 3AAA, 4AAA, 7AAA, 1AAAA, 2AAAA, 3AAAA, 5AAAA and 7AAAA. I'll take the 3A/3AA double-header at Southwest State, perhaps Dawson-Boyd v.s Southwest Minnesota Christian and Redwood Valley versus Fairmont.

Sat., Mar, 16--Girls state finals. Right now I'd think you'll see Maranatha vs. Mountain Iron-Buhl, New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva vs. Providence. DeLaSalle vs. Fergus Falls, and Eastview vs. Hopkins. 

Sun., Mar. 17--Could the Gopher men be playing for the Big 10 title? I didn't think so. That leaves New Orleans Peli-nets or Hor-cans at the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Mon., Mar. 18--Minnesota Timberwolves at Memphis.

Tues., Mar. 19--No games that I'm aware of.

Wed., Mar. 20--Boys state tournament action begins with 4A and 2A at Target Center, and 3A and 2A at Williams. I think 3A will provide some closer games and better entertainment than 4A. 

Thurs., Mar. 21--Boys state tournament action including 1A quarter-finals at  Williams, and 3A and 4A semis at the Target. My usual strategy is to catch 3 games at Williams and then 2 at Target. 

Fri., Mar. 22--1A and 2A semis at the Target Center.

Sat., Mar. 23--Boys state finals. I'm guessing they'll match Maranatha vs. Southwest Minnesota Christian, Melrose vs. St. Peter, Delano vs. DeLaSalle, and Apple Valley vs. Osseo. 

Sun., Mar. 24--OMG, withdrawal, BIG TIME. I cannot even focus on the Chicago Bulls at the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Tues., Mar. 26--I'm still not out of the fog of withdrawal, but I think that the Minnesota Timberwolves are at Detroit.

Wed., Mar. 27--Hey, it's Kobe! I'm starting to emerge from the fog. L.A. Lakers at Minnesota Timberwolves.

Fri., Mar. 29--When does the AAU start? Oklahoma City Thunder at Minnesota Timberwolves.

Sat., Mar. 30--Memphis Grizzlies at Minnesota Timberwolves. Hey, by the way, the way to build a winning tradition is to win! If you don't think you can win with the 12th draft pick--oh, no, you gotta have #10!--then I'll tell you what. HAVE SOMEBODY MAKE THE PICK WHO CAN PICK THE RIGHT GUY WITH #12. Don't be throwin' games to get #10. WIN AND THEN MAKE THE RIGHT FREAKIN' PICK!

Sun., Mar. 31--Hey, how about those Twins?!