My March Madness Mantra ... (MMMM)

I used to start the season and root for a trip to the Final Four,

Then I was happy with an Elite 8,

Then a trip to the Reg. Finals/Sweet 16,

Then, it happened.

I was happy at the NCAA Western Regional,

When Kentucky's Joe B. Hall became Joe "Be" History,

And we connected from Denver to Cincy/Lexington via Peoples Express,

In Newark... and we rented a "red" car.

Then, it happened.

Mully and Mark, Walter Berry and the rest of the team,

Made it to the Final 4.

And it was fun and there was much rejoicing,

But then, it started to happen.

I used to hope for an NCAA berth,

And Selection Sunday made me anxious.

I was usually rewarded with an "At Large" bid,

Then, it happened.

I used to be happy to witness an NIT championship (1965, 1989, 2003),

Then I was happy with the NIT Finals or semis @ MSG,

Then an invitation to the NIT and a home game at Alumni Hall,

Then, it happened.

I used to be happy with a BIG EAST championship,

Then an appearance on Friday or Saturday night at the BIG EAST.

I was always happy to play a good game against Syracuse or Georgetown,

Then, it happened.

I used to be happy with a berth in the BIG EAST tournament,

and a first round win over some former also-ran like Rutgers or DePaul.

I was always happy with a first round win over Seton Hall, Providence or BC.

Then, it happened.

I used to be happy if the team went .500 and was eligible for a post season tourney,

And I would love it when the Johnnies had one of those big regular season wins

Against Duke, Georgetown, UConn or Notre Dame.

But, then it really happened.

I used to be happy to get a few wins over Fordham, Hofstra, St. Francis and LIU,

or a Holiday Festival crown over Cornell, Manhattan, BU and some other team.

I was always happy at the Holiday Festival and had great memories of years gone by,

But, then it happened.

I used to be happy with a berth to the new College Basketball Invitational,

And would start to watch my friends "in the business" coach their own teams.

I was always happy for Coach Bob McKillop and the Davidson Wildcats,

Then, it happened.

I used to be happy watching Davidson make an incredible run in the NCAAs,

And I would be happy for Jay Wright, Tom Izzo, Coach K, Tom Crean (Marquette) and a few of the other great coaches I met along the USA Basketball trail.  I honestly felt some connection to their programs and would follow them all year long, hoping for some magic,

But, then it happened.

I used to "hate" Coach Thompson or Coach Boeheim and would root against them

At all costs... "Anybody but Georgetown" chants at the '85 Final Four in Lexington started in my section at Rupp Arena, tickets courtesy of Villanova by the way.

Then, it happened and I got to know Coach Thompson and Coach Boeheim and they earned my immediate respect and admiration, much the same way that Louie and Coach Kresse earned that unconditional love and respect when I was growing up and watching Johnny Warren.

I used to be happy, when it was tournament time.

But, then it happened.

They hired Coach Mike Jarvis.

And the rest is history.

It is tournament time, 

And, I still love the NCAAs and I'll always love St. John's.

I just need to get over Coach Mike Jarvis.

(That was the last time I will type his name).

I am happy again,

It's tournament time.

Maybe it will happen again.,

Let's hope so.