My NCAA Tournament bracket: Wichita State will go 40-0

Well, it's the evening before the beginning of my absolute favorite few weeks of the year — starting with the most exhausting and exhilarating four days of basketball watching a nut job like myself experiences annually (four days, about 48 hours of watching; my eyes will get a workout).

But before the games begin — Note: I'm sorry, folks, but no First Four picks this year; life got in the way the past two days — it's time for my picks. Note: Proceed with caution in copying any of them to your bracket. Just because I watch a ton of basketball in no way makes me an expert (you'd probably be better off going the mascots, colors, or state capitals route).

Before I dive in, a few notes on things I look for when picking games:
1) First off, there is no perfect formula for winning in March. Every year, some writer or magazine or ESPN talking head tries to say that there is, but the results prove that isn't the case.
2) Picking a team that relies on 3s is dangerous (but can also pay off!).
3) Generally a team with a guy who scores a large percentage of its points won't go far (exception: Kemba Walker, UConn, 2011).
4) Experience does matter. Even the Kentucky team that won in 2012 had contributing upperclassmen. This year's Wildcats team doesn't.
5) And finally, don't lose sleep over picking teams that are "hot" or not. The argument works both ways. A few years ago, Syracuse had a brilliant Big East tournament run and then was bounced in the first round of the Dance. Contrast that with Walker leading the Huskies to the Big East championship followed by six more wins in the Big Dance.

OK, enough of my diatribe. Without further ado, here are my round-by-round picks:

EAST
FIRST ROUND (sorry, NCAA, I'm not calling it second round)
(1) Virginia def. (16) Coastal Carolina: A 16 has never beaten a 1. Period.
(8) Memphis def. (9) George Washington: I just flipped a coin. Actually, I flipped a coin online. How cool is that? Heads = Memphis wins.
(4) Michigan State def. (13) Delaware: Blue Hens is one of the tournament's best names. I've heard the Spartans are one of the tournament's best teams.
(5) Cincinnati def. (12) Harvard: Fun fact — in six seasons at Michigan, Tommy Amaker failed to take the Wolverines to the Big Dance; this is his third straight appearance with the Crimson. It won't last as long as last year's.
(3) Iowa State def. (14) N.C. Central: The Eagles won 17 straight to close the regular season and are dancing in their third Division I season. That's awesome. Sadly, none of those 17 opponents were half as good as the Cyclones.
(6) North Carolina def. (11) Providence: This could be one of the most enjoyable head-to-head matchups as the Friars' Bryce Cotton (21.4pg) goes up against Marcus "Second Half" Paige. The difference? Well, it'll be made in the second half.
(10) St. Joseph's def. (7) Connecticut: Time to reference the notes: A) St. Joe's has a senior-heavy lineup; B) UConn relies too much on Shabazz Napier. He'll have an off game. Redhawks advance.
(2) Villanova def. (15) Milwaukee: There's no way 'Nova won't win to set up the 'Braggin' rights in Philly' second-round matchup.

SECOND ROUND
(1) Virginia def. (8) Memphis: Considering I only picked Memphis to this game via a coin flip, it would be idiotic to take them another round. Virginia slows the game down, stifles Memphis with its halfcourt defense, and rolls to the Sweet 16.
(4) Michigan State def. (5) Cincinnati: This will be a lot better game than people are realizing who are inking the Spartans in for the second week. Cincy plays great defense and Sean Kilpatrick is an All-American. But MSU is rolling (anyone mentioned that?) and, oh, at full strength, too!
(3) Iowa State def. (6) North Carolina: Best matchup of the second round. Period. Over-under for this game will be 180. In the end, the Cyclones' offensive weapons are more consistent and play both halves.
(2) Villanova def. (10) St. Joseph's: It's a rivalry game! Throw out the records!! Just let the kids go at it!!! Villanova wins a squeaker (bracket note: It's not smart to pick St. Joe's here because it could easily lose to UConn).

SWEET 16
(4) Michigan State def. (1) Virginia. I'm reluctantly hopping on the bandwagon. This game might not see 120 points, but it will see the Spartans' seniors Payne and Appling making the difference.
(3) Iowa State def. (2) Villanova: Iowa State either makes 3s or takes the ball to the rim. That's a recipe for success in my book, and enough to take down overachieving Villanova.

ELITE 8
(4) Michigan State def. (3) Iowa State: Man, this is a tough call for me. I really love the Cyclones. But after watching the 6-foot-10 Payne against Michigan in the Big Ten tournament title game, I have a hard time seeing the Cyclones' front line of no players taller than 6-7 being able to handle him without doubling. That will create issues for ISU. And MSU is a better defensive team.

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SOUTH
FIRST ROUND
(1) Florida def. (16) Albany: Phew ... I was going to pick Mount St. Mary's, but then they lost in the First Four game and didn't have ANY media visit their locker room. So freakin' sad and wrong.
(9) Pittsburgh def. (8) Colorado: Expert analysis — Buffs haven't been the same since losing leading scorer Spencer Dinwiddie to a torn ACL. Go Pitt, my friends.
(4) UCLA def. (13) Tulsa: According to The Washington Post (esteemed publication), the Danny Manning-led Golden Hurricane were just "5-9 in conconference play." Conconference? Whatever that means, 5-9 ain't too good. Meanwhile, UCLA just beat Arizona...
(5) VCU def. (12) Stephen F. Austin: Generally playing against Havoc for the first time is no fun (except for Michigan last year). I'm a fan of the Lumberjacks (31-2!!; undefeated in conference), but VCU is experienced, flying under the radar, and hungry.
(3) Syracuse def. (14) Western Michigan: Syracuse is the absolute most difficult team to predict in the Big Dance. Last year, they entered the tournament playing awful and, of course, made the Final Four. This year, they're also struggling after that 25-0 start. They'll at least get this one...
(6) Ohio State def. (11) Dayton: Nice one, Selection Committee! I'm sure it was unintentional putting the Ohio schools within an hour of each other head to head. Whatever. I'm over it. The Buckeyes are a tough tournament bunch who came very close to making the Final Four a year ago.
(7) New Mexico def. (10) Stanford: The Lobos won't falter in the first round like they did to Harvard a year ago. Expect seniors Cameron Bairstow and Kendall Williams to carry the load.
(2) Kansas def. (15) Eastern Kentucky: Mark my words — this will be a bit scary for KU fans. Sans Joel Embiid and with a backcourt that doesn't take great care of the ball against a team that's second in the nation in turnover margin (6.3) and in the top 10 in steals (8.8), this could be close for Kansas.

SECOND ROUND
(1) Florida def. (9) Pittsburgh: These Gators haven't lost since December and won't here against a good but limited Pitt team.
(4) UCLA def. (5) VCU: Kyle Anderson and Jordan Adams will make the Rams pay whenever they break the press, creating all kinds of easy buckets.
(3) Syracuse def. (6) Ohio State: The last time these teams met, the officials had a rough day as OSU advanced to the 2012 Final Four. This time, the result will be different because the Buckeyes are a poor 3-point shooting team and will have no answer for the 'Cuse 2-3 zone.
(2) Kansas def. (7) New Mexico: No, the Jayhawks won't have Embiid back, but they will have Andrew Wiggins. You might have hard of him. The Canadian sensation will take over. Steve Nash will be proud.

SWEET 16
(1) Florida def. (4) UCLA: The Bruins have two good players; the Gators have about seven, including four seniors in the starting lineup. Scottie Wilbekin will lead them to their fourth straight Elite Eight.
(2) Kansas def. (3) Syracuse: Unlike the Buckeyes, the Jayhawks shoot the ball really well — they're fifth nationally at a 49.7 percent clip. With Embiid likely back for defensive purposes, they'll make 'em over the zone to victory.

ELITE EIGHT
(1) Florida def. (2) Kansas: Finally, the Gators will break through. I was at their Elite Eight loss to Louisville in 2012 (a game they led for large portions). In 2011, they dropped a nailbiter to Butler. And then last year, Michigan couldn't miss against them. This time around, the Gators will use their array of offensive weapons and dominate the Jayhawks' sometimes inconsistent backcourt.

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WEST

FIRST ROUND

(1) Arizona def. (16) Weber State: I love Damian Lillard's alma mater. I don't love them to beat Arizona.

(9) Oklahoma State def. (8) Gonzaga: This is one of those picks that you know could backfire because EVERYBODY is taking the Cowboys, but they are playing really well and Smart. 

(4) San Diego State def. (13) New Mexico State: This game is worth mentioning for the simple fact that NMSU has a pair of big — understatement — brothers, Sim (7-5, 360) and Tanveer (7-3, 335) Bhullar. If they don't maul the Aztecs like the aliens in Space Jam, I think SDSU will escape. 

(12) North Dakota State def. (5) Oklahoma: I can't help myself. I'm going with the "sexy pick." The Bison are the best shooting team in the nation and will win a barnburner against the Sooners. 

(3) Creighton def. (14) Louisiana Lafayette: Forget what I said about not relying on one player. #FaithInMcDermott.

(11) Nebraska def. (6) Baylor: I just like Tim Miles too much and don't like Baylor enough — despite the incredible, all-over-the-court shooting of Brady Heslip — to not go with the Huskers. 

(7) Oregon def. (10) BYU: Injury alert! — The Cougars are playing their first game sans Kyle Collinsworth (torn ACL), who led them in assists. Not good. Ducks quack on.

(2) Wisconsin def. (15) American: I'm very partial to American — I attend all their games, and host the ONLY WEEKLY PODCAST ABOUT AMERICAN BASKETBALL!! — but the Badgers will be too much to handle in Milwaukee. Not convinced? Listen to the podcast. 

SECOND ROUND

(1) Arizona def. (9) Oklahoma State: I can't give you a really good reason why Arizona is clearly the better team other than they won a lot more games. I can say this: If you pick OSU to win in your bracket, there's a decent chance they won't even be in this game. That can't be said of the Wildcats.

(4) San Diego State def. (12) North Dakota State: Did you know it's been 25 years since Aztecs coach Steve Fisher took over my hometown Michigan Wolverines when Bill Frieder left the program and won the program's only national championship? He'll rekindle a little of that magic this March.

(3) Creighton def. (11) Nebraska: Nice one, Selection Committee. Let's take the two teams from Nebraska and not let them both get past the first weekend (ahem, TV ratings). Oh, the game? Two words: Doug McDermott. 

(2) Wisconsin def. (7) Oregon: I just googled "Wisconsin vs. Oregon" and the first thing that popped up was a recap of the 2012 Rose Bowl, when the Ducks won 45-38. Funny enough, 45 points might have been a Badgers (winning!) score a couple years ago in basketball, but this is not your typical Wisconsin outfit (73.5 ppg!!!) and they're playing in Milwaukee. 

SWEET 16

(1) Arizona def. (4) San Diego State: The Aztecs and their unruly fans might bring the noise, but Arizona will bring the D: The Wildcats gave up 39 points to Utah in a Pac-12 tournament quarterfinal. 

(2) Wisconsin def. (3) Creighton: Did you know — Creighton 3-point specialist Ethan Wragge has taken two — two! — shots from inside the arc this year. He's attempted 220 3-pointers! Wisconsin is very good at defending the arc, where teams attempt just 25 percent of their shots from against the Badgers.

ELITE EIGHT

(1) Arizona def. (2) Wisconsin: Arizona beat Michigan, which beat Wisconsin, so... OK, in really breaking down this matchup, the Wildcats' ballhawking defense won't give the Badgers any open looks and Frank Kaminsky will have a rough afternoon (or evening) against the combination of Kaleb Tarczewski and Aaron Gordon (big, strong fellas!)

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MIDWEST

FIRST ROUND

(1) Wichita State def. (16) Cal Poly: I just watched the Mustangs (14-19 now!) dispatch of Texas Southern, and I gotta say, their confidence is high! They'll soak it up until reality sets in...

(8) Kentucky def. (9) Kansas State: Has anyone been talking about Kentucky the past couple days? Heard anything? Somehow the young Wildcats will cast aside the distractions and win a game.

(4) Louisville def. (13) Manhattan: Quick quiz: Who's the best college basketball team in New York City? Yep, the Manhattan Jaspers. 

(12) North Carolina State def. (5) Saint Louis: Sorry, Billikens, but I'm going with the (it sometimes works) you're cold (four losses in five games), N.C. State is hot (beat Syracuse, won its First Four game) formula. 

(3) Duke def. (14) Mercer: Upset alert — No, I'm not man enough to pick it, but the Bears have won their league back-to-back years and have, gulp, an all-seniors lineup. Like, who does that? Of course, none of 'em can hoop like Jabari Parker (at least they can drink legally better). 

(11) Iowa/Tennessee def. (6) UMass: I'm watching the First Four game as I type this. Iowa is up at half 29-26. I might change this pick later. EDITING UPDATE: 57-52 Iowa, 4:35 left...

(7) Texas def. (10) Arizona State: Nitty gritty — the Longhorns ranked first in the Big 12 in rebounds; the Sun Devils were last in the Pac-12. For a team that's middle of the pack offensively, getting killed on the boards won't help.

(2) Michigan def. (15) Wofford: I don't know what to make of the fact that as a Michigan fan, I'm, like, not at all scared of the Terriers. They just don't move the needle. This probably portends bad things...

SECOND ROUND

(1) Wichita State def. (8) Kentucky: Oh, the Wildcats! Oh, the talent! Oh, oh, oh ... loss. Thankfully, it's a team game and talent doesn't win alone in March. The Shockers are the better team — by far.

(4) Louisville def. (12) N.C. State: T.J. Warren is amazing. If you don't know that, you haven't been watching basketball. However, the Wolfpack's guards will have a hard time even getting him the ball against the Cardinals' press. Advantage: L'ville.

(3) Duke def. (11) Iowa: How can I pick against Duke when I don't even know who they, might, be playing (UPDATE: 33-28 Iowa, early second half). Plus, game's in Raleigh. ... NEW UPDATE: five-point Iowa lead, 4 minutes left. 

(2) Michigan def. (7) Texas: Yes, the Wolverines will struggle against Texas' rebounding and Big 12-best (also) shot-blocking ability. Until, that is, they step outside the arc and start raining 3s. 

SWEET 16

(1) Wichita State def. (4) Louisville: Last year, the Shockers led Lousville 43-32 with 14:19 to play in the national semifinals. But the Cardinals, the best team in the land, got two 3s from Tim Henderson (whom 0.9 percent of fans outside of Kentucky knew was even on the team) and survived against a team that no one expected to be there. This year is different. The Shockers expect to win every game, have nearly everyone back from that game, and won't blow another lead. Different result.

(2) Michigan def. (3) Duke: You know what? I was going to take Duke, but so is nearly everyone. So I'm changing things up. Yes, the Blue Devils beat Michigan in December, but that's when Nik Stauskas shot his shoe better than the basketball. Expect a huge game from the sophomore playing with a chip on his shoulder. Wolverines advance in Indy. 

ELITE EIGHT

(1) Wichita State def. (2) Michigan: You know I love my Wolverines, but that means ABSOLUTELY NOTHING (sadly) and the Shockers are the more complete team. The big key will be at point guard, where Missouri Valley POY Fred VanVleet will hound Michigan's freshman/sophomore duo of Derrick Walton and Spike Albrecht and have no issues creating consistent offense for the incredibly balanced Shockers against the Big Ten's worst defense. 

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FINAL FOUR

(1) Florida def. (4) Michigan State: They're not as good, but this Gators team reminds me a little bit of the back-to-back champions of 2006-07. Everyone knows their role; it's senior-dominated; and the Gators can score in a variety of ways. That's a recipe for success in the Final Four, as the Gators get a little revenge for that national title game loss way back in 2000.

(1) Wichita State def. (1) Arizona: This will be a hard-fought, low-scoring game, but the Wildcat's Pac-12 worst free-throw shooting and lack of depth will hurt them and balanced Wichita State will work the matchups to avoid defensive stalwarts T.J. McConnell and 7-foot Kaleb Tarczewski. 

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CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

Wichita State 71, Florida 68: Honestly, I could go back to the coin flip here. Instead, I'll go to the history books. The Shockers have a chance at, yes, the best season in the history of college basketball — 40-0. How incredible would that be? Enrollment would increase 700 percent at the Kansas school. I'm not saying this will mean anything on April 7 or negatively affect Florida, but all season long the Shockers have relished being undefeated and haven't shied away from the pressure. That will be no different on the biggest stage under the brightest lights. Fred VanVleet will battle Scottie Wilbekin to a draw, Cleanthony Early will impress NBA scouts with his array of inside moves, and Tekele Cotton will make a huge defense play late to seal the victory and silence every last doubter.

Am I picking with my heart? Just a tad. But remember — there's no true formula to winning in March. 

Enjoy the Madness!

Whatever happens next, 2013-14 has been special for the Michigan Wolverines

Photo by Dustin Johnston, UMhoops.com

“This season has been a great season. I hope this isn’t the last highlight. I hope we have more in front of us.” — John Beilein, March 9, 2014

I do, too. I hope that this Michigan basketball team will continue to grow, will build off this momentum, and will win the Big Ten Tournament and make a deep run into the NCAA Tournament. They're capable. They've proven that time and time again this season. They can win the whole dang thing!

But first, let's enjoy the moment.

Yes, a statement like that is sacrilege in today's fast-moving society. Next Sunday, the Big Ten Tournament champion will have all of half an hour — maybe — or less (after all, games are longer this year) to revel in its accomplishment before the NCAA Tournament bracket is released and coaches and players have to prepare for the next opponent.

Disgraceful.

So I'm going against the tide. Years from now, regardless of how Michigan's season finishes, I'll look back to this blog and smile. On March 4, 2014, the Wolverines won their first outright Big Ten title since 1986, when I was 2 and didn't know the difference between a basketball and a diaper. Four days later, they put an exclamation mark on a remarkable regular season with a victory at home over Indiana — a win Glenn Robinson III, an Indiana native, didn't hesitate to call sweet revenge after the Wolverines watched the Hoosiers stun them and celebrate on the same court a year earlier.

I will never forget this season.

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Neither will Michigan's seventh-year head coach John Beilein. He said that much on Tuesday, after the Wolverines put on an offensive clinic in their most complete game of the season, a 84-53 shellacking of Illinois in Champaign, Ill.

"It's something that I know I'm gonna cherish for a long time," Beilein said.

Just not right now. Beilein is too focused on creating more highlights for his players, on making them better. That is what makes the 61-year-old head coach special, among other things. That's also what makes him stand out so saliently compared to the Wolverines' previous coach Tommy Amaker, who failed to take Michigan to the NCAA Tournament in six tries.

That's also one of the biggest reasons why the Wolverines, 6-4 in mid-December, sans a quality win, and about to lose their preseason All-American Mitch McGary to back surgery, were able to win 17 of their last 20 games and clinch the Big Ten championship before Jordan's Morgan Senior Night.

Caris Lavert is the prime example of a player growing leaps and bounds in Beilein's system. As a freshman, the beanpole guard played 10.8 minutes per game, shot 31 percent, and didn't once score in double figures. In many programs, Lavert would have become lost, might have transferred or worst. At Michigan, he dedicated himself to hitting the weight room during the summer and working on his shot (not an easy combination of activities), added some 25 pounds, and is — arguably — the most improved player in the Big Ten (if not the nation).

Lavert's 2013-14 numbers in 34 minutes per game: 13.4ppg, 44% FG, 41% 3-point FG, 4.3 rpg. Lavert's intangibles: Whenever Michigan's offense breaks down with the shot clock waning, the ball goes to Lavert and he creates something; because of Lavert's active hands, length and reflexes, Michigan has been able to play the 1-3-1 effectively — in short spurts — for the first time in recent memory; oh, and Lavert made the pass of the season, overhand style, to Robinson for Michigan's improbable win at Purdue, the most memorable moment from a season featuring many of them.

A commentator mentioned on TV today that he thinks Nik Stauskas, Michigan's should-be Big Ten Player of the Year, is the league's most improved. That's hard to argue, except when you consider his fellow sophomore.

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After each loss this season, Beilein and his players talked about learning from their defeats. They weren't just preaching to the cameras. The final stretch of the season is evidence that the Wolverines truly do make changes and understand what they need to fix — not just X's and O's, either — from one game to the next.

The improvement that oozes from this team isn't just coming from individual players.

Take the loss to No. 1 Arizona in mid-December, which dropped the Wolverines to a humbling 6-4 and an afterthought on the national scene. In that game, Michigan blew an eight-point lead with under eight minutes to play, allowing the Wildcats to outmuscle them and outhustle them in the game's crucial moments. 

Since then Michigan has won every nailbiter it's been in. The Wolverines have come back in the final minutes several times (see: at Nebraska, at Michigan State, at Ohio State, vs. Michigan State, at Purdue). And they have closed games by making the hustle plays, as senior, do-it-all big man Morgan and backup point guard Spike Albrecht did with two huge rebounds followed by a Morgan layup to help seal Michigan's 66-56 win over Minnesota last Saturday (just one example).

That's what championship teams do. Michigan wasn't a closing team in losses to Iowa State, Charlotte and the Wildcats. They learned, thanks to the coaching of Beilein and his staff. They progressed. 

The ultimate sign of a great college program in this day and age is players buying in 100 percent to what their coaches tell them — and not having to be instructed twice, or six times. With so many outsiders telling players what they want to hear and that they should be getting more shots, it's a wonder when a staff is able to have such a talented group of players' commitment from game to game throughout the season. 

Improvement. Progression. 

Those two words sum up this Michigan season. 

Oh, and special.

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“I love playing with these guys, they’re some of the best teammates. It’s been an amazing year. So far (pause). So far.” — fifth-year senior Jordan Morgan

Sure, I'll remember that this team won the Big Ten championship. But what, specifically, will pop in my mind when thinking back on the 2013-14 Wolverines?

How about the fact that their glue guy is a fifth-year senior working on his master's degree in manufacturing engineering after an undergraduate industrial and operations engineering degree? That's Morgan, the forgotten man last season when a bad ankle sprain combined with McGary's emergence saddled him to the bench for the majority of the home stretch and the Wolverines' surreal NCAA Tournament run.

Not once did Morgan complain or say anything, publicly, to take away from his teammates' accomplishments. Inside, though, he was heartbroken over his layup that hung and rolled off the rim at the end of that Indiana loss. He wouldn't be able to completely put it in his past until Saturday night, when — after an emotional buildup to his final game, which including him weeping during an interview for the Big Ten Network's "The Journey" — Morgan played one of his best games, scoring six quick points en route to 15 of them and 10 rebounds against the Hoosiers.

The reason for Morgan's success? He learned from Michigan's 63-52 loss at Indiana on Feb. 2, when the Hoosiers switched a smaller player on him and he didn't pick the right angles to receive entry passes. This time around, Morgan worked in practice on those angles and in the game aggressively called for the ball on the switch and finished time after time in traffic around the rim.

Morgan used to receive all kinds of flack for his "butterfingers." Now, it's a surprise to everyone if he mishandles a pass.

Improvement. Progress. Oh, and a special night.

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But back to Morgan's quote. 

That sums up why it's incredibly enjoyable and rewarding, as a fan, to follow this team. They genuinely love playing with each other. 

Stauskas will definitely fulfill his NBA dreams after this season. So, likely, will best friends and roommates Robinson and McGary. On a team with so many NBA prospects (Lavert is on his way, too), it's easy for individual agendas to get in the way — even if not publicly. 

I can tell you with 100 percent certainly —just from watching each game on TV, not to mention what the players say about each other — that isn't an issue. The team loves to share the ball. No plays elicit bigger celebrations, fist bumps and smiles than the dozens of alley-oops Robinson has received, seemingly, from everyone on the roster. I was in Crisler Center when he made a midair adjustment to throw down a game-clinching 'oop from Stauskas against the Spartans on Feb. 23. The roof nearly came off the arena.

On such a talented team, minutes are hard to spread around. In some games, highly heralded freshman point guard Derrick Walton, Jr. has sat during the crucial portions while Albrecht runs the Wolverines. Not once has Walton made a deal out of it.

One of those games was the comeback, overtime win at Purdue. Albrecht played all the big minutes down the stretch, but when Robinson made the game-winning shot Walton was one of the first Wolverines to mob him. Watch the celebration. It's impossible to tell the game contributors versus the bench guys.

A master's degree engineer; three sophomores likely heading to the NBA; a four-star recruit point guard who doesn't pout when big-game minutes go to his backup; and a coach who talks about enjoying the process, cherishing each success, and, simply, getting better.

It all adds up to yet another special season for a Michigan team that I'll never forget, and a Wolverines program that you can't ignore, now, as one of the nation's best. 

The upcoming weeks might bring many more wins. But they'll likely also include a loss. From the outside, there will be questions and criticism. After all, people live in the moment. And as a championship program, bigger titles — including that national one — are expected. 

But Beilein, and Morgan, and the rest of this group, will always be able to look back at this year and cherish — coach's word — a special season full of...

Progress. Improvement. And an outright Big Ten championship. 

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"Whether you've got a paper due or practice, whatever -- finish it strong. We're going to finish things (here)." — John Beilein, March 9, 2014

A special afternoon at Crisler Center: My rivalry game experience from the student section

Today was awesome! I’m on a peaceful plane now, headed back to Baltimore — and, eventually, DC, where the real world is ready to welcome me back with District traffic, more winter, and hopefully not another flat tire for my bike.

However, for now, I prefer to think abut the confines of Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, where this afternoon I joined 12,000-plus rowdy Michigan fans for a 79-70 victory over in-state rival Michigan State.

I had never been to a Michigan State-Michigan game (at least as far as I can remember), and this past fall I decided I was going to do it this year. I knew it wouldn’t be cheap. But with both teams at the top of the Big Ten standings — at least I thought that would be the case when I bought the plane ticket — I figured this could be as good as it gets.

Michigan went through a tough stretch during the nonconference, fell out of the rankings, lost preseason All-American Mitch McGary, and people gave up on the team. I never lost hope. They bounced back in a big way, winning 10 straight games spanning late December and January — including three consecutive victories over top 10 teams (one at the Breslin Center against the Spartans).

Despite recent struggles, they were tied in the loss column with Michigan State entering Sunday. But first, back to the ticket purchase. I decided I was all in last week — the day before a big Michigan win at Ohio State, which surely pushed prices up. I bought a pair off Craigslist from a student for $125 each. Not cheap, by any means, but much more affordable than the average $269 regular tickets were going for on the secondary market the week leading up to the game.

(Side note: While students I’ve talked to have some issues with Michigan’s complicated ticket policy, one cool thing is that you can transfer student tickets to people like me without a fee — the student just transfers them online to you, and then you can print them.)

Here’s my game day journal (times are approximate):

9:43 — It’s time to go! I take a final sip of my morning coffee, say adios to the Dad and Pomeranian Charlie, and head out the door of my parents’ Spring Street house into the 20-degree weather. I’m bundled up — T-shirt, fleece, hoodie, Michigan basketball maize-colored long sleeve, and Bernard Robinson Jr. No. 21 blue jersey … all under my coat. I don’t want to be cold while waiting.

10:14 — I’m in line! The drive toward the Crisler Center was uneventful, as was parking in the dentist lot off Stadium Boulevard. There were no signs anywhere that a big game was imminent. This is a far cry from a football Saturday in Ann Arbor. Even as I crossed Main Street and walked toward the arena, there were but a few early scalpers out (who were asking for tickets rather than selling). But once I circled around the arena to its back parking lot, I started hearing noise and spotted the line. I kept walking, and walking, and walking … until I finally reach its end. I turned around and looked toward Crisler. It was a ways off. But so was tipoff.

10:44 — “You should run,” I tell Justen on the phone. My companion for the game had to work in the morning, so he couldn’t join me super early. And now my portion of the line — including the group of girls behind me that has grown during the past half hour and has kept me entertained with talk of their Saturday night adventures on campus — is walking up the steps toward the gated student entrance. If Justen doesn’t make it soon, we’ll have to back up in the line.

10:48 — Justen arrives, and we’re in! Our printed tickets are scanned, we’re handed new tickets for Section 232, and we’re ready for action. Just over an hour until tipoff! Upon arriving at the section and walking up the stairs, we’re informed that it’s first come, first served. We grab seats maybe 12 rows up. Not bad.

(Side note: The students who stand in the “Maize Rage” section that you see on TV have to get in line ridiculously early. Apparently, even some students who arrived at 5AM — whoa! — were turned away and told to retreat to the back of the line. After the “Made for TV” fans are seated, the next section is in the lower bowl but behind the basket. Then the rest of the 3,000 students with ticket fill up about four sections in the upper level behind the basket; that’s where we were. But as Justen remarked to me, and I agreed, there’s really not a bad seat in the house at Crisler. It’s not that huge.)

11:56 — Everyone’s standing. Everyone’s waving their yellow pompoms. Crisler is loud. Crisler is boisterous. I can’t spot an empty seat in the house. The national anthem is sung. Then it’s introductions. Now, finally, game time! I stand with Justen on my left, an older man on my right who must be the father of the student next to him, and hundreds of rabid Wolverines fans all around us. Green is hard to spot except behind the Spartans bench.

12:22 — Denzel freakin’ Valentine is killing us. The last guy you would expect to go off from 3-point land is doing just that for the Spartans, boosting them to a 22-11 lead. We’re still trying to bring the noise. We’re still standing for each possession. But it’s hard, at this point, to be too optimistic.

12:23 — Well, at least the scoreboard guy is trying to keep the Wolverines close. In a ridiculous, hilarious, and pretty excellent demonstration of sleeping at the job, the guy keeping score inside Crisler has made two early errors. First, he failed to count an Adreian Payne free throw, leaving the Spartans short a point. Then he counted a Caris Lavert made shot that was clearly a two — as indicated by the refs — a three. He didn’t correct either mistake for a good five minutes. He’s having about as rough of a day as the Wolverines…

12:36 — But not for long! Zak Irvin throws down a one-handed breakaway dunk, and Michigan is back in it. Despite getting thoroughly outplayed, we’ve got a two-point basketball game. I can’t remember the last time I was in such a loud environment. As we sit down during a Michigan State timeout, I marvel at the atmosphere. This is fun.

12:56 — Great way to end the half. After a Michigan State basket, the Wolverines quickly inbound, a pass is fired up the sideline to Lavert — who is in the corner directly below us and in front of the Michigan State bench — and the sophomore perfectly sets his feet and releases the shot. Before it’s even swished through the net, cutting the Wolverines’ halftime deficit to a very manageable 36-34 score, he’s running back down the court. That’s confidence, he is the main reason Michigan is in the game, and Crisler is rockin’.

1:04 — “I’m mesmerized, but…” the guy next to me says as he motions to be let out of his seat to the aisle. Yeah, the magician’s halftime show is OK, but my expectations haven’t been met. The woman-in-a-box trick just isn’t cutting it for me. Hopefully the best magic will come in the second half…

1:25 — Stauskas! Just when it looks like the Spartans are threatening to create a little separation, Michigan’s sharp-shooting sophomore — the guy who owned the team in green in East Lansing, blowing the fans a kiss as the Wolverines completed the 80-75 victory — is coming alive. We have a great vantage point from our seats behind the basket that you don’t get on TV. Every shot Stauskas takes is either just left of the top of the key or from dead-on. And every one looks good. They almost all fall. His 3 cuts MSU’s deficit to 48-46. Moments later, Michigan takes its first lead in forever at 50-48. Crisler is deafening!

1:38 — “Shots, shots, shots, shots, shots, EVERYBODY!” As my man Justen will recall later, the joint was never more hype. A run made up almost entirely of Stauskas and Lavert baskets has given the Wolverines a 64-52 lead on a Lavert two-handed slam. Timeout Tom Izzo and the Spartans. And we’re all singing “Shots, shots…” because Michigan’s hitting all of them. We’re engulfed by a sea of pompoms. I’m starting to lose my voice. This is what a big-time basketball game in February should feel like!

1:53 — “OHHHHHHH!!!” And that’s the exclamation point. Many free throws will follow, to officially seal the deal, but Glenn Robinson III, the much-maligned sophomore, has just thrown down an alley-oop pass from Stauskas that the disher will later admit was not his best. Robinson seemed to hang in the air for a full second and adjusted his body accordingly to throw down the dunk, which sent us all into delirium. Oh, what a moment. Michigan is up double figures and en route to sweeping the Spartans and taking control of first place, by itself, in the Big Ten.

2:02 — And that’s a wrap. Once more, we pump our fists, and/or pompoms to “Hail to the Victors,” and the friendly usher provides high fives as we walk down the steps of the section, adding, “You’ll be telling your kids about this one.” Michigan 79, Michigan State 70.

What will I remember most about this afternoon? The atmosphere. The emotion. Stauskas doing not one, but two huge fist pumps after a Michigan run in the second half. Beilein getting as animated as you’ll ever see the mostly calm Wolverines coach after a blocking foul on senior Jordan Morgan. The players continuously encouraging the fans to get loud throughout the game. Sweating through my many layers. And, of course, how it all started with the line.

Obviously, we live in the moment — now more than ever with social media. But when Beilein and many of the players Tweeted afterward about Crisler being about as loud as they’d ever experienced it, I believe them — or at least I like to. And I fondly think I was a part of something special.

That maybe, just maybe, will result in Michigan’s first outright Big Ten title since 1985-86 — when I was crawling on the floor in diapers and didn’t know the difference between a basketball and a pumpkin. 

Fighting my football fandom

I love football. I have for decades now (man, I'm getting old).

It's the final Sunday of the 2013 regular season, and I've dragged Mom and Dad in front of the TV. OK, maybe Mom only came downstairs because '60 Minutes' comes on after the game, but that's not the point. I sit on the edge of the same futon that's occupied my parents' Ann Arbor basement for seemingly an eternity, transfixed by the action on the 32-inch LCD screen in front of me.

I practically announce the action as Kansas City converts a crucial third down, informing Mom — not that she cares — that the Chief will now be able to run the clock all the way down before kicking a game-winning field goal that will send the Chargers to the offseason and the Pittsburgh Steelers to the playoffs.

Then improbable happens — as it so often does in this riveting, unpredictable sport. A field goal sails wide right. Overtime! The Chargers fake a punt at their own 30-yard line and get the first down ... barely. San Diego wins. Steelers fans lose their minds.

I only see half the plays in overtime, though, because I'm driving Mom and Dad crazy with a serious thumb workout — switching back and forth between the Chargers game and the Bears-Packers winner-take-all affair on Fox.

Green Bay converts a fourth-down to save its season. Green Bay faces another fourth down. Aaron Rodgers, arguably the sport's best player, evades a strong Bears pass rush, keeps his eyes upfield, and throws a perfect, spiraling ball into the hands of Randall Cobb. Touchdown Green Bay! Packers win! (after a last-ditch Bears Hail Mary is unsuccessful).

How can you not love that? Is there a more entertaining and gripping 30 minutes of television?

I think not. I love football!

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Late Sunday night, I think back to that Rodgers pass. Gosh, it was perfect. And he was so coordinated, so attuned to what was going on around him, able to avoid the 300-pound bloodthirsty Bears and calmly, stepping to his left, unleash the impeccable ball.

Aaron Rodgers, when healthy, is amazing. But will he always have such a presence of mind? Will his brain always be so healthy, even after retirement when he doesn't have to memorize a playbook and the tendencies of NFL defenses?

"I don't remember my daughter playing soccer, playing youth soccer, one summer. I don't remember that. I got a pretty good memory, and I have a tendency like we all do to say, 'Where are my glasses?' and they're on your head. This was pretty shocking to me that I couldn't remember my daughter playing youth soccer, just one summer, I think. I remember her playing basketball, I remember her playing volleyball, so I kind of think maybe she only played a game or two. I think she played eight. So that's a little bit scary to me."

"For the first time in 44 years, that put a little fear in me."

-- Brett Favre, 44 years old

Favre, now that he's officially retired, is no longer in the American public's spotlight. But he's still relatively young. And he's a bit scared that the 321-game playing streak we all glorified and we're in awe of during his playing days may now be having adverse effects on his health — symptoms such as memory loss that he can't control and have been linked to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a disease that has been found in the brains of several former athletes who suffered repeated hits to the head during their careers.

Could Rodgers, seemingly invincible on Sunday, end up vulnerable like Favre in his mid-40s? It's doubtful, but possible. After all, what you see on your television screen on Sundays is no representation of the damage the sport of football has on its athletes, especially at the highest level.

This was summed up perfectly by former player Nate Jackson in his tell-all book about life in the NFL, 'Slow Getting Up.'

“Consuming the product through a television screen, at a safe distance, dehumanizes the athlete and makes his pain unreal. The more you watch it, the less real it becomes, until the players are nothing more than pixelated video game characters to be bartered and traded.”

This is why football is still, overwhelmingly, America's favorite sport. This is why millions of Americans plan their Sunday afternoons and nights around huddling in front of the television, drinking beers, eating snacks, making chili, and watching figures on the screen do extraordinary things.

We cringe when there's a 'big hit,' and clasp our hands together in prayer when a player is taken off the field on a stretcher. Ten minutes later, that's forgotten; the next big play is about to happen, and the fallen player's replacement has a job to do. We've moved on. We live in the moment.

We don't see the injections of Toradol hundreds of players take before every game just to survive the three hours pain-free — before it returns to make them miserable Sunday night and into Monday, and maybe Tuesday. If only the average fan saw what occurs in an NFL training room to get players ready to batter their bodies every Sunday, maybe football wouldn't be so popular.

Or maybe the American public simply doesn't care. Football is just entertainment after all, right?

“Last night after meetings I lined up for the needle again: 60 milligrams of Toradol, a powerful anti-inflammatory and painkiller. Ten or fifteen of us rely on it every game, physically and mentally. We live in pain during the week. We want to feel good on game day and adrenaline isn’t enough anymore.” 

— Nate Jackson, 'Slow Getting Up'

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I've always been a football guy.

Growing up, I attended a Waldorf K-8 school. Sports weren't emphasized. That didn't stop my classmates and I from playing football during almost all of our recesses. At first, we'd play two-hand touch; as we got older, tackling was introduced.

In grade school, I learned about button-hooks, fades, flags, comebacks, quick slants and more.

When my family moved across from Hunt Park in Ann Arbor, my Dad and I would walk across the street before every Michigan football game to predict who would win. It didn't matter if it was mid-November and the temperature was in the 20s — we would give each team four downs, and Dad would throw patterns to me down and around the trees that dotted the hillside to try to reach the end zone (also indicated by a tree).

Finally, we'd decide it was the last possession or each team got the ball once more, only because the real Michigan game — if a home game, just a mile from our house — was starting.

On Sundays, my parents knew not to bother me. I was usually glued to our 20-inch, rounded TV screen. First I'd watch the Detroit Lions, and they'd often let me down (as any Lions fan can attest they still do). I'll never forget the time I almost threw something at the screen (I can't remember what) when Johnny Morton or a receiver I can't remember dropped a pass.

I wasn't just a fan of teams, though. I was a fan of the game. When the 4:15 (or now 4:25) games came on, I'd be back in the basement, especially if it was a game with playoff implications. Mom would inevitably call down around 6:30pm that dinner was ready; she knew what my response would always be — "I'm watching the game!"

My birthday is Christmas Eve and my family always goes out to dinner at an Ann Arbor restaurant. One year, it was an NFL Sunday. We went to Outback Steakhouse. Before we sat down, I insisted in sitting at the bar to watch the end of the Cincinnati-Denver game because it carried playoff implications.

Who does that?

On Mondays, immediately upon returning from school, I would open the Ann Arbor News sports section to the NFL page and browse the standings and box scores (and this was before my fantasy football days). I would analyze internally teams' playoff chances and look ahead to the following week's schedule.

This didn't change during my days at Albion College. I refused to miss games. If my fraternity brothers were going out to eat, I stayed behind to watch the end of the late-afternoon game. One year when they changed the channel to the Lingerie Bowl during the Super Bowl, I almost blew a gasket.

My love of football, and its drama, and its strategies, and its brilliance didn't wane then. And it stayed strong during my first two years out of college in Durham, NC. And my first few years living in Washington, DC. In each place, as my friends got to know me, they realized inviting me to a Sunday dinner during the fall was fruitless. I'd be watching football.

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I have a hard time pinning down when I began viewing the NFL — and, really, football as a whole — through a critical lens, but it wasn't too long ago. One, maybe two years. My change in thinking has been helped by the mainstream media attention that has finally been given to the myriad issues the sport faces, but especially brain damage that is caused by concussions and CTE.

Did you know that:

• Autopsies of more than 50 former NFL players showed signs of CTE
• At least seven former NFL players who were later found to have had CTE committed suicide
• While CTE can't currently be diagnosed in a living human, its signs (depression, memory loss, disorientation, violence, hopelessness, suicidal thoughts) are evident in many former living players, including Hall of Famer Tony Dorsett, who often forgets where he's driving on the highway

"I'm just hoping and praying I can find a way to cut it off at the pass." — Tony Dorsett, 59

Did you know that:

• Former Denver Bronco Karl Mecklenburg takes a photo of the front of his hotel every morning so he can find his way back to it at night.
• Former San Diego Chargers great Junior Seau shot himself in the chest when committing suicide; this allowed his brain to be studied for CTE, which it had. He's far from the first former player to do this.
• Former Chicago Bears quarterback Jim McMahon, 54, often forgets what he's doing or what he just said or did.

“Please, see that my brain is given to the NFL’s brain bank.” — Dave Duerson, former Chicago Bear, in a suicide note before shooting himself in the chest 

These are just a handful of examples taken from hundreds of cases of former football players who are literally losing their minds. For some of them, the symptoms are severe (suicide); for others, they're bad (a scary level of forgetfulness); for others, at least at a young age, they're minor inconveniences (Favre's case).

Add them all up, and that's why I have a hard time stomaching the sport of football. I can't go a few weeks without hearing about a new case of CTE, a former player saying they can't remember where they're driving, or — the worst — a suicide.

What do you do when a player lands a hit that rattles his opponent's helmet? I used to get pumped up and excited, but not anymore. Now I think about that player's brain, which is rattling inside his skull. It might turn out to be OK, or it might already be deteriorating.

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Whenever I bring up the issue of brain damage in football players to my sports-loving friends, there's a common retort: "Yeah, well, they choose to play football."

They're right, of course. No player in the NFL is forced to play the sport. Just from watching a game on TV, they know what they're getting into at a young age. They see the big hits, they see the dozens of injuries that happen during a given game. Heck, just from playing fantasy football it's easy to realize how violent professional football is based on how often you need to change your lineup. Next man up!

But what most football-loving Americans don't realize is that these players have been misled. By their own league. Despite mountains of evidence by the United States' most established and well-respected neurologists, to this day the National Football League denies the undisputed fact that there is a very clear link between playing football and brain damage.

For the past 20 years, the league has done everything in its power — and it is very powerful — to silence those who have proven the link. This is why the $765 million settlement of a lawsuit brought by 4,500 former players was a huge win for the league, which rakes in more than $9 billion annually — and is aiming for $25 billion by 2027 — and is the most lucrative sports entity in the world. It avoided months upon months of litigation under the public eye.

Since the early 1990s, when stories began reaching the surface about concussions, the NFL has used all its resources — similar to Big Tobacco — to deny what neurologists were proving. The league went as far to create the Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Committee in 1994, led by a rheumatologist with zero — zilch, nada — experience in examining brains.

I won't go into all the details, but they're all laid out in thick, objective facts in the outstanding book 'League of Denial' and the PBS 'Frontline' documentary 'League of Denial: The NFL's Concussion Crisis.' In summary, the committee refuted all the emerging science that was laid bare beginning in the late 1990s and gained momentum after Mike Webster's brain — following his 2002 suicide — was the first to be found with CTE by Pittsburgh forensic pathologist Dr. Bennet Omalu. Until the last few years, even, players were routinely sent back on the playing field after suffering concussions. 

Today, especially after the documentary and book, the information connecting playing football and brain injuries is ubiquitous. There are new articles every week, new disclosures of former players showing signs of CTE. But go back a decade, or even five years, and this was all under the surface — swept there by the NFL.

Meanwhile, the league, and the bogus committee, released innocuous reports about the number of concussions players suffered — at least the documented ones; there are hundreds more — and developed literature about the risks of playing football and taking hits to the head.

Nothing, of course, noted the link I've now mentioned a dozen times.

So when a friend gives that answer about players knowing the dangers, I disagree. Yes, they were aware of football being a violent sport. But unless they dug deep — and who wants to do that when you've got a dense playbook to learn, a non-guaranteed contract to earn! — they wouldn't have known what the concussions potentially added up to.

Instead, players were ingrained in the NFL's culture, which is so well explained in Jackson's honest, forthcoming and unbiased account of life in the league. Basically, the mantra is this: If you can walk, you play. If it takes Toradol shots before every game, so be it. If you're concussed, get checked out, "remove the cobwebs" (as broadcasters would always say), and get back on the field.

Otherwise, it's next man up. Did I mention the non-guaranteed contracts?

He was just a few blessed hours from having his leg amputated. He played games, plural, with a hidden and taped catheter running from his armpit to his heart. His calf was oozing blood for so many months, from September of one year to February of another, that he had to have the equivalent of a drain installed. This is a story of the private pain endured in pursuit of public glory, just one man’s broken body on a battlefield littered with thousands of them. 

— Dan Le Batard, Miami Herald column about former player Jason Taylor

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Of all the statistics about the world's most dangerous team sport, this one from a 2013 Washington Post poll of 500 retired players, to me, is the most revealing:

Only 46 percent of those polled would recommend football for youth or high school kids today.

Wow. These are men who dedicated their lives to the sport. Who sacrificed their bodies for their teammates. Who made all kinds of personal life concessions to play football at the highest level. And the majority of them don't think youth should play football.

That's saying something. 

It says that those polled are, finally, well informed of the risks directly linked to their former sport. Perhaps they're also aware of the recommendation made by Dr. Robert Cantu — one of the leading neurosurgeons and researchers of brain trauma in former football players — that no child under the age of 14 should play tackle football. Period.  

Cantu, one of the many scientists who has studied the effect of head injuries since Webster's 2002 death, made such a claim in 2012. This past fall, not only was it publicized that Pop Warner participation from 2010-12 was down across the country, but an NFL-funded report — yes, the league is doing everything expect acknowledge the aforementioned link — revealed that high school football players are twice as likely as college players to suffer a brain injury. 

Worse than that, consider the six documented deaths from football collisions at the high school level in 2013. These five summaries (one death not included) are taken directly from this Nov. 15 BuzzFeed article:

• 17-year-old Jaleel Gipson of Farmerville, La. died in May from a broken back suffered during what coaches called a “textbook” tackle. 
• 16-year-old De’Antre Turman of College Park, Ga. died during a preseason scrimmage in August, breaking his neck during a tackle. His uncle told the local CBS affiliate in Atlanta that it was “a regular hit that he’s made 1,000 times.” 
• 16-year-old Damon Janes of Brocton, N.Y. died in September after a helmet-to-helmet hit in a game. He staggered to his feet but collapsed once he reached the sidelines. Three days later, he was dead. His teammates took a vote and agreed to forfeit the rest of the season. 
• 17-year-old Dylan Jeffries of Lost Creek, W. Va., died in October from injuries sustained during a game on Sept. 27. He was rushed to the local hospital with a blood clot in his brain and put into a medically induced coma. He died less than two weeks later. 
• 17-year-old Chad Stover of Tipton, Mo. died just yesterday after being taken off life support for brain injuries suffered during a game on Oct. 31.

Six deaths is six too many. No parent should have to ponder how their child died from playing on their high school sports team.

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And yet, the football machine rolls along, seemingly invincible and immune to any and all attacks made on the sport. Sure, youth football participation is down, but coaches are embracing teaching 'Head Up' tackling — ask any high-level player if keeping your head up every play and surviving a football season is feasible. They'll laugh. There's also the fact that in some football casualties, that proper technique was being used.

There's never been more scrutiny around the sport's safety, yet college football and the NFL have never been more popular. The top TV program in the United States? Sunday Night Football. A stinker of a Monday Night Football game drew a larger audience than Game 1 of the World Series. The Philadelphia-Washington Week 1 MNF game had the most viewers ever for a Week 1 MNF game.

And I already mentioned the staggering — and increasing — revenue.

In a way, it all makes sense. Being a football fan is easy. It's not inconvenient (unless you're an active person on Sundays). The season is short. The games are always at 1pm, 4:15/25pm and 8:20pm. It sure is simpler than trying to follow an 82-game NBA season, and let's not even get into the 162-game baseball slog.

Every game matters. In a 16-contest season, a couple losses in a row could doom your team's chances of winning the division or making the playoffs. 

Oh, and there's fantasy football. It's kind of popular — and gaining more participants by the season.

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And the top reason football is still, by far, America's No. 1 sport: It's incredibly entertaining. 

I think back to Oct. 6 of this past fall. In August, I had told myself I wouldn't watch the NFL this season. I'd read enough — the incredible volume of injuries, the suicides, the arrests, the ridiculous locker room culture that would later come under the spotlight thanks to Richie Incognito (all summed up by a much better and award-winning writer Thomas Boswell). 

As I sat in the Jacksonville airport awaiting my flight back to Washington, DC, from a wedding, I could hear the volume from every TV in the terminal — the Peyton Manning-led Broncos were playing America's team, the Cowboys. And they were engaged in a classic offensive shootout. I checked the score on my phone. The points were adding up, as the game headed to the fourth quarter. Still, I stayed stuck to my seat and consumed myself with a few episodes of 'Breaking Bad.'

It ended up being a tremendous game and finish, watched by millions. A part of me hated missing it. I felt like I was going through a withdrawal of sorts — my Sunday afternoon thrown in disarray. 

But how can I talk about the NFL's denial campaign and football's incredible dangers if I'm endorsing the product by watching it and boosting TV ratings? It doesn't matter if I'm viewing the games through a different, cynical lens. Or if I cringe rather than celebrate each skull-rattling hit. I'm still approving of it.

I liken it to the meat industry. You can talk about how much you love farm animals and how you can't stand the hurting of animals. But if you're buying factory-farmed meat — i.e. 99 percent of what's out there — you're at least indirectly supporting the torturing of chickens, pigs or cows (depending on your preference). Of course, you're not standing inside the butcher factory watching the carnage, much like you're not standing on an NFL sideline witnessing the brutality of professional football.

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And yet, as I write this, I doubt I'll be able to avoid the NFL playoffs. Something tells me I'll be in front of a TV this Saturday and Sunday, once again pulled to the heart-stopping drama and late-game heroics of America's pastime (sorry, baseball).

Even if that's the case, I'll consider this season progress in my goal to not just blindly enjoy the game that's only made feasible by rampant drug use; that shuffles players in and out of lineups and on and off teams like they aren't human; and that in no way, as long as helmets are around, is becoming safer. It wasn't easy, but I watched maybe a cumulative five games during the regular-season, only played in one fantasy football league — and only to stay in touch with college friends — and at least started those conversations with friends, never easy, about the game we all so love.

In turning 30, I also have an ever-increasing number of friends with kids. When I see them, I ask another question: Would you let your kid, whether in Pop Warner or high school, play football when there are so many other sports out there with all of the same benefits of being on a team?

The responses lean toward "yes" but not unanimously. That, to me, is a start. No thanks to the NFL — and despite the soaring ratings — people are getting the message about football's dangers. 

They must have healthy brains.

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Good Reads about the NFL, brain injuries and more

This blog was influenced by my personal experiences, but also by tons of reading I've done over the past couple years. First and foremost, I recommend reading 'League of Denial,' but here are several articles (and a book) that have helped inform my view on this topic and freed up my Sunday afternoons during the fall. 

For too long, sports journalists glossed over football's violence. I was one of them (WaPo)

Football getting harder to watch (Rick Reilly)

Slow Getting Up: A story from the bottom of the pile (Nate Jackson book)

Dorsett, others show signs of CTE (ESPN.com)

Richie Incognito bullying allegations are the latest in long list of NFL problems (WaPo Boswell)

OTL: Taking its toll (ESPN.com, Outside the Lines)

How the National Football League can reach $25 billion in annual revenue (Forbes)

Revisit Dallas Cowboy Star's Scary 1994 Concussion — 'Where am I?' ... 'Did we win?' (Kera News)

NFL's Big Tobacco Moment Exposed in 'League of Denial' (The Progressive)

Documentary: For years, NFL ignored concussion evidence (USA Today)

Timeline: The NFL's Concussion Crisis (PBS) .. The Frontline Interviews (PBS)

Dan Le Batard: Jason Taylor's pain shows NFL's world of hurt (Miami Herald)

The Choice (Sports on Earth)

NFL Retired Players Survey (WaPo)

Matt Chaney's Take on 'Heads Up' Football (The Concussion Blog)

At least six high school football players have died from head and neck injuries in 2013 (BuzzFeed)

Helmet hits causing more than just concussions (The Boston Globe)

CTE, an overview (Wikipedia)

My NBA preview: 30 teams, five different objectives (one is not good)

Two days!

That's how close we are to the dawning of another NBA season. And the storylines abound.

Can the Heat three-peat? Can the geriatric Nets stay healthy enough to make their luxury-tax-paying Russian oligarch look smart? Can the 76ers avoid breaking their own record for futility? Can LeBron be any better? Can KD be any better? When will Kobe come back?

The list goes on and on.

But for the sake of simplification — and because this is a blog; not a book or a Bill Simmons blog — I'm going to jump right into my NBA preview by breaking up the teams (listed in the order I think they'll finish in their conference) by their objectives for the season.

It might be the easy way out, but, hey, isn't that what a handful of teams will be doing when they sit their top players come March and April with "back stiffness?"

See below.

Categories

• Playing to win (PW): Teams that are in this thing to win the NBA 'ship in June.
• Playing for the playoffs (PP): Teams that just want to make the postseason, where they won't last long. In many cases, these teams have GMs who won't be around next year if their teams don't qualify for the postseason.
• Playing for Wiggins: Simple. Teams that will be horrible and hope to win out at the draft lottery and get the No. 1 pick to (most likely) select Andrew Wiggins.
• Playing for LeBron: Teams whose prime objective this season will be to make themselves look good enough and appealing enough to attract the world's best player during free agency.
• Shit, I don't know (SIDK): Teams that aren't making much sense with their personnel moves and will be irrelevant for most of the season.

Eastern Conference

1) Miami Heat: Two storylines to watch before the playoffs — can LeBron be even better? And can Greg Oden stay healthy and be a factor. PW

2) Chicago Bulls: Yep, 95 percent of America was wrong. What's new? Derrick Rose knew what was best for him despite the intense criticism, and now he's fully healed. Watch out, East. PW

3) Indiana Pacers: So what's new for the team that came within a game of taking down the mighty Heat? Well, they get back a healthy Danny Granger and swapped Tyler Hansbrough for Luis Scola. I'd call that a productive offseason. PW

4) New Jersey Nets: A couple thoughts — their backcourt of Deron Williams and Joe Johnson is overrated; their frontcourt of old guys KG and Paul Pierce plus Brook Lopez is underrated. PW

5) New York Knicks: They'll finish in the middle of the East and maybe even win a playoff series. That, however, doesn't mean they have a clue what they're doing long-term besides hoping for LeBron. SIDK, PFL

6) Atlanta Hawks: Of all the coaching changes this offseason (quick, name two!), this one is so under-the-radar, I bet most Hawks fans don't know the guy. But Gregg Popovich disciple Mike Budenholzer will keep the team a reach-the-playoffs-and-lose-early-every-year outfit. PP

7) Detroit Pistons: If the Pistons don't make the playoffs after acquiring Josh Smith and Brandon Jennings, Joe Dumars is done as GM. Pressure's on. PP

8) Washington Wizards: The Wizards are in the same boat. The late acquisition of Marcin Gortat should get them to the postseason if they can stay relatively healthy, which was their undoing last season. PP

9) Cleveland Cavaliers: The Cavaliers' main goal under Mike Brown (hey, welcome back!) is for the young nucleus to learn how to play defense and to look good enough to bring back another former Cav next summer... PFL

10) Toronto Raptors: Assuming no move is made involving Rudy "I like to shoot a low percentage" Gay, Toronto — and its awesome fan base — will push for a playoff spot and come up just short. PP

11) Charlotte Bobcats: I'm sorry, but Michael Jordan is as bad at being a GM as he was good/great/legendary at playing. He's terrible (see Jefferson, Al; Gordon, Ben; Zeller, Cody). Charlotte will be just good/bad enough not to make the playoffs OR give itself a decent shot at Wiggins. SIDK

12) Milwaukee Bucks: Milwaukee was smart to rid itself of Brandon Jennings and let Monta Ellis go shoot a lot and play no defense for Dallas. Still, the Bucks aren't attracting any free agents beyond O.J. Mayo and have pieces that don't fit. Maybe a draft pick could help... PFW

13) Boston Celtics: If Rajon Rondo isn't traded and plays a healthy season, combined with Brad Stevens on the sideline, they might not be as bad as they should be. That, of course, isn't what the fan base wants. PFW

14) Orlando Magic: You know what would be fun — Victor Oladipo paired up with a certain college freshman next season. PFW

15) Philadelphia 76ers: No team is more transparent about its goals. GM and analytics guru Sam Hinkie ditched Jrue Holiday, traded for a rookie who's out for the year  (Nerlens Noel) and has a lineup that includes Thaddeus Young, Evan Turner and Spencer Hawes. Yeesh... PFW

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Western Conference

1) L.A. Clippers: This squad could be the paradigm of the "Can a much better coach make a difference?" test, with Doc Rivers taking over for Vinny Del Negro. If Doc can turn DeAndre Jordan into a serviceable free-throw shooter in addition to being a dominant defender, watch out. PW

2) Oklahoma City Thunder: If healthy, this team will be playing in the Western Conference Finals. Its objectives are clear. PW

3) San Antonio Spurs: The Spurs and St. Louis Cardinals are the two most well-run organizations in American professional sports. Don't expect that to change for the Spurs and Kawhi Leonard — the face of the future — this year. PW

4) Golden State Warriors: Their only problem is they've got six guys who should be starting. Harrison Barnes was an effective post-up guy in the playoffs, but he might be stuck on the bench. Expect a potential move during the season. PW

5) Memphis Grizzlies: People are down on the Grizz, saying they had their chance last year (helped by the Westbrook injury), but I love their core, Mike Conley just gets better and stats guru John Hollinger in the GM seat won't make any dumb, rash moves. PW

6) Houston Rockets: Prove me wrong, Dwight Howard. Prove that you can be a winner on a team that's not all about you. Prove that you can shoot better than 50 percent on free throws. If you do, you might help James Harden take this team very far. PW

7) Minnesota Timberwolves: Did you know that no team has had a longer playoff drought than Minny? Yeah, I was surprised, too, that 2004 was the last time the T-Wolves — led by a KG character — made the postseason. It's time to return, even if to get swept in the first round. PP

8) Dallas Mavericks: Mark Cuban has publicly said Dirk is ending his career as a Maverick, so there will be no rebuilding. Instead, he'll add pieces like Jose Calderon and Ellis and see what happens. PP

9) L.A. Lakers: I'm only putting them this high because of Kobe "Bean" Bryant, easily the most competitive player in the league. He'll return from that Achilles earlier than anyone expects, hit some game-winners, and make the case for a certain someone joining him and Pau Gasol in the summer (even though he'll be 36). PFL

10) Denver Nuggets: How do you go from a No. 3 seed to a team just fighting for a playoff spot? You lose your Executive of the Year (Masai Ujiri), fire your coach of the year (George Karl), and let your defensive cornerstone (Andre Iguodala) bolt for Golden State. SIDK

11) Portland Trail Blazers: I actually like this team and what they're doing. Unfortunately, with rookie C.J. McCollum out six weeks and living in the crazy-competitive West, they'll end up short of their playoff dream — and end up in the Wiggins sweepstakes. PP (but PFW by happenstance)

12) New Orleans Pelicans: I'm sorry, but any team that puts effort into acquiring Tyreke Evans and believes Eric Gordon will actually be healthy doesn't know what it's doing. It's sad, too, because Anthony Davis is special and Monty Williams knows how to coach. SIDK

13) Sacramento Kings: This team won't necessarily tank. It will just be really bad, especially if Boogie Cousins has more meltdowns. That means lots of lottery balls. PFW

14) Utah Jazz: Similar to the 76ers, if scaled-down a bit, the Jazz have a plan. Their hope is for youngsters Enes Kanter (21), Derrick Favors (22), Gordon Hayward (23) and rookie Trey Burke (20) to grow and improve together. And if a No. 1 picks comes along, well even better. PFW

15) Phoenix Suns: Phoenix has finally come to terms with the the fact it's a really bad basketball team and execs need to stop watching Steve Nash highlight films. Unloading Marcin Gortat was a start. Goran Dragic should be next to go, which would give Eric Bledsoe free reign over a team of nobodies. PFW

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Playoff predictions

EAST: Miami Heat def. Chicago Bulls (7 games) — I really want to take the Bulls and possible MVP Rose. But this will clearly be the Heat's last hurrah with their Big Three, and LeBron will be transcendent in this series.

WEST: L.A. Clippers def. Oklahoma City Thunder (6 games) — Call me crazy, but I think Doc can take a team that got run off the court in the first round in 2012-13 and lead it to the finals. The additions of J.J. Redick and Jared Dudley will help on the offensive end. Jordan will be the ringleader on the other end. And I didn't even mention Chris Paul.

FINALS: Miami def. L.A. (6 games) — Matt Barnes will do all he can to get under LeBron's skin, but James will be too much for the Clippers. Throw in the clutch shooting of Ray Allen and Greg Oden providing that big body to contest Blake Griffin and Jordan, and the Heat will take home their third title in a row.

Of course, the real drama will have played out weeks before when the PFW is decided by ping-pong balls. ENJOY!

For my basketball insights, follow me on Twitter @jakelam2116