Friday Tidbits

Friday Tidbits

Knowledge Is Power: Missouri In St. Louis As A Non-Number One Seed

I'd been saying here on insideSTL.com and on The ITDRoll.com Morning After that unless Missouri gets a #1 seed, they won't be playing in St. Louis.

Why?

Well, I just figured that the NCAA wouldn't put a school that earned a #1 at a disadvantage by having a #2 (or worse) basically have home games.

Turns out I was wrong.

This was passed along to me from a poster on PowerMizzou.com. It refutes what I had been saying, and it's rather interesting...at least I think so.

The post comes from Tiger-Ski on PowerMizzou.com:

Let's talk about his with facts:

I realize I love the NCAA tournament and selection Committee process WAY too much. I've read just about everything you can read on the subject. But granted, I don't think there is a clear cut answer to Gabe's point. Also, there is really no way to show that the committee sent a team away to avoid a local benefit. So let's look at the times a local non #1 seed got a regional MUCH closer to home than the #1 seed:

I'm looking at 2002 forward as that is when the 'pod' system game into place. Granted the pod system only applies to the first 2 rounds, but it shows the Committees change to a 'keep games local' focus.

2003:
OK was a #1 seed in Albany, NY (1,550 miles)
Cuse was a #3 seed 144 miles

2005:
Duke was a #1 seed in Austin (1375)
OU was a #3 seed (375)

2006:
Memphis was a #1 in Oakland (2080)
UCLA was a #2 (360 miles)

2007:
tOSU #1 seed in San Antonio (1315)
TAMU was a #3 seed (168)
kU was a #1 seed in San Jose (1860)
UCLA was a #2 seed (335)

2008:
Memphis was a #1 seed in Houston (570)
UT was a #2 seed (160)

2010:
Duke was a #1 seed in Houston (1175)
TAMU was a #5 seed (100 miles)
Baylor was a #3 (185)

2011:
Duke #1 in Anaheim (2500)
SD St. a #2 (100 miles)"

In summary, I think Gabe's premise is wrong. MU can be in STL as a #2/3 seed. The committee doesn't seem to think being 'too close' to home is an issue, historically speaking.

Very well done.

And...good news for Missouri fans.

But, man...isn't that just stupid unfair?

Trust me...as a Missour fan, I'm happy to see it, but if you're Ohio State or Kentucky, and you've earned a #1 seed, wouldn't it piss you off that a lower seed gets to play 125 miles from campus? Hell, it's even worse with the examples above. I remember some of these, and I thought it was shitty then. And, while it would benefit my team this year if Missouri doesn't earn a #1, I still wouldn't think it's right.


Blues Pick Up Four of Six Points On The Road Trip And Pick Up Momentum In The West...By Beating The East

The Blues had all kinds of things go batshit on them relative to how they've gotten to one of the best records in the NHL...but the trends that have been so beneficial continued.

While Ken Hitchcock had to make an in-gam goalie change (only the second time that's happened for the Blues this season), and while the Blues had to get two points by going through a shootout with the team with the most shootout wins in the NHL (while the Blues had the fewest), they still were able to get the win.

Amidst the surprises, two unblemished marks remained quite beautiful:

1. The Blues are now 24-0 when scoring three goals or more.

2. The Blues are 11-0-2 vs. teams from the Eastern Conference.

The shaky road team returns to the Scottrade Center having picked up four of six possible points, and while the Western Conference had been a bit of a logjam...and while the Red Wings looked to be in pull-away mode, suddenly, the standings have a rather intriguing look:

-The Blues are just three back of the overall points leading Red Wings...with two games in hand.

-The Blues have a 11 point lead on the 9th place team in the West.

-With the Blackhawks' six-game skid, the Blues now have a six-point lead on Chicago...with a game in hand.

By coming from behind in the third period on the road against a good Devils' team, the Blues head home for two games this weekend with a hell of a lot of momentum. They only have three off days between Saturday and the following Sunday. This will be a tough stretch, but coming back and stealing a couple of points late on the road against a team on the verge of winning their sixth straight is quite tits.


The ITDRoll.com Morning After Live On The Radio And In Video From Spring Training

Well, I've been in town for a week, so it's time to get out of here again. But, this time...it'll be with the ITDRoll.com Morning After cast and many members of the insideSTL family.

For the seventh year, we'll be doing the show live from just outside of the Cardinal locker room at Spring Training.

You'll be able to listen to the shows on 590 The Fan KFNS and insideSTL.com, and you'll be able to watch highlights from each segment here on insideSTL.com as Justin Boyd will be making the trip with the videographer responsibilities.

All the grabassery, all the interviews with the players, Carpenter staring us down like we're a combination of Carlos Lee and Mike Napoli, and Producer Joe's Question of The Day will all be caught on video for your viewing pleasure.

We'll be doing the shows from Spring Training, courtesy of The Hilton at The Ballpark and The Cheshire, from February 20th through February 24th.


The insideSTL Mardi Gras Tent

Looking ahead to the forecast for Mardi Gras on Saturday the 18th, it looks like it'll be sunny...but it'll be cold. 49 degrees the high. 32 degrees the low.

But, we can solve that for you with tickets to the insideSTL Mardi Gras Tent. Hang out in the HEATED tent and enjoy premium drinks, live entertainment, private bathrooms, in-and-out privileges, an afternoon food buffet and plenty of beads & Mardi Gras giveaways. Last years spectacle brought out David Cline's Cranberries performance and @ProdJoe getting after it and this year is sure to be more of the same. The tent is located in the heart of Soulard at 9th and Geyer just 2 blocks from the parade route.

You can purchase your tickets right now by CLICKING HERE. And, for the price of $65, you will get the following ALL DAY LONG from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.:

- Access to the heated tent from start to finish of the day with in-and-out privileges

- 6 drink tickets (includes premium drinks) ranging from Hurricanes to premium beer to shots and premium cocktails (Cash Bar After)

- Private Indoor Bathrooms

- Afternoon Food Buffet

- Live Music and DJ inside the tent

- Beads and Mardi Gras giveaways for every attendee

- All of the above all-day long at the prime intersection of 9th and Geyer in the heart of Soulard Mardi Gras for ONLY $65

- Limited number of tickets are avilable for sale, get yours early.

 Questions: Email MardiGras@insideSTL.com


The Bandits Playing For A Good Cause Sunday

If you don't have tickets to watch the Hitch and the Boys take on Big Joe Thorton and the Sharks this Sunday, but still need your hockey fix, consider heading out to Chesterfield at the Hardees Iceplex to watch the St. Louis Bandits take on the Janesville Jets. Tickets are only $5 for adults and kids under 6 are free. 50% of all proceeds will go to benefit the Meningitis Foundation of America. The Bandits are coached by former Blues defenseman Jeff Brown and are among the top teams in the North American Hockey League. Again, the game is at 2 PM on Sunday out at the Hardees Iceplex and it will be a great game benefiting a great cause. Contact Karen Reith with the Bandits 636-536-4882 at with any questions.


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