In Search of…an Identity

Mike Draper’s column in Juice tripped my trigger on something that I’ve put off writing about. I’ve been a Des Moines resident for 15 years. I didn’t grow up here, left the state, and came back, like Draper did. I’m from Waterloo, went to Wartburg College, and came here after college. And yet, I’m still…

The “Other” List: What I Love About Des Moines

Juice has come out with a list called “50 Things We Love About Des Moines”.  I’m not a “list” person by any means.  There are far too many things about living here in Iowa I love, and about Des Moines, since I’m a resident here. This is going to be Des Moines-centric, so for you…

Part 2 of “Ideas for a 96-team tournament to be successful”

On Tuesday, we started exploring ideas that the NCAA can make their men’s basketball tournament successful once they expand the field from 64 to 96 teams.  Today, we’ll look at the teams, television coverage, and the tournament locations. The decision to expand the field will most likely come in July, with the proposal to go…

Tournament Frenzy

I have gone to the state tournament almost every year since 1990 and the most important thing I purchase isn’t the Dippin’ Dots, or the nachos.  It’s the Stat Book (or commonly referred to as the Dope Book).  The Stat Book has all of the historical information about who has been to the state tournament,…

The Best of the Best

Several weeks ago, as I was walking out of the Ames gym after the Little Cyclones routed the Mason City Mohawks, 85-42, a question popped up in my mind. Does the 2009-10 Ames team belong in the elite group of great teams in Iowa prep basketball, if they win the 4-A title next month? It’s…