Christmas Eve; FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

 FRIDAYS WITH DARYL 

Happy holiday weekend to all!  I hope you get to enjoy Christmas safely with your friends and family.   I've enjoyed reading up on the gang's favorites and traditions this week in between some of my own new and old.   As you might know,  I've been M.I.A. from radio for the past few months as I have been spending the weekend's away with my family being Aunt Daryl :D 

This time of the year is all about my family as my sister, mom and dad all have birthday's around the holidays.  The new addition this year just tacks on another end of the year celebration to my calendar.  Not that I am complaining... 

With not a lot of new stories out of the sports programs for the holiday break and the rest of the gang throwing out their favorite things about this time of year, I will piggy back off their lead with a few of my own favorites. I dont know about the bacon on white bread tradition that was mentioned in yesterday's post but I am here for that being my new thing...

Favorite Christmas movie: A Christmas Story 

I will admit, I have not seen every Christmas movie out there but this one holds a special place in my heart.   Not only is the movie extremely quotable (I can't put my arms down, you'll shoot your eye out, triple dog dare ya) my family and I have actually recreated several scenes from the movie before - such as the Bumpus hounds stealing the turkey and Ralphie and the fam having to get Chinese for dinner "Fa Ra Ra Rah Rah", one year I got my dad a leg lamp (a major award!!!!) and built the crate with straw that it came in including the "Frag-il-e" detail. 

The Santa Clause 

Tim Allen is absolutely hilarious in this movie and I cannot let Christmas go by without watching this at least twice.  One of my favorite jokes.. 

              You know, Neal's a real good cook.

              Yeah, and you should see him walk on water.

              - You don't like him very much, do ya, Dad? - Charlie, yeah--

              I was joking, okay? I'm sorry. I was just kiddin' around.

              I like him a lo-- Yeah, sure, I like him. You know, there--

              There's just something about him that makes me wanna--

              Lash out irrationally?

              - Where did you hear that? - From Neal.

              I learn a lot from him. He listens to me.

              Yeah. Then he charges ya for it.

ZINGGG.

Honorable Mention:  Jingle all the Way, Elf, White Christmas (I just watched this for the first time earlier this week), Charlie Brown Christmas, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer & Christmas comes but once a year (1936) This is a short 8 minute flick that I could not tell you WHY or WHERE I ever watched this but it gives me some serious nostalgia. 

Favorite Christmas song(s): Silent Night (I taught myself how to play this as a kid on a little keyboard and Santa brought a real keyboard for Christmas that year)  White Christmas In fact, This song at the opening credits of The Santa Clause is my most fond memory from this time of the year.  You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch, Blue Christmas, Run Rudolph Run, Mele Kalikimaka are some of my favorite classics.  And just to upset Jared, all Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift holiday tracks are on my list of favorites. 

I think I have baked enough goodies this past week than I have in the past 2 years - Quarantine included.  Cherry pie, pastry appetizers and cookies for Santa with the girls are enough to keep my heart and my belly full for the holiday!  What's your favorite holiday dish?  Is there something you cannot go without for Christmas?! Let us know in the comments.  Mine is easy - dessert!! Cookies, candy, pie; I dont care, I want all the baked goods!

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas Eve! 
Go Cards! 
~Daryl 

Bracketology? -- THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

 Uhhh... Bracketology???

Normally, late December is quite a bit early to be looking at bracketology. And it is way too early to be concerned with bracketology projections. But sometimes disrespect needs to be called out.

ESPN released three different potential brackets yesterday: 64-teams, 48-teams, and 16-teams. All three are possible as the NCAA weighs the possibilities as we continue through the COVID-19 pandemic. The concern is that Louisville, the #2 team in the country, a team that other teams fear, a team that has turned every head since their annihilation of DePaul, is a projected 2-seed.

Just so we're clear, not the #2 seed overall. The #2 seed in one of the four brackets. 

Stanford is ranked first right now. They get a 1-seed. NC State is 8-0 and holds a victory over South Carolina. It's hard not to give them a 1-seed.

I'm gonna go review this, guys...

UConn is 4-0and ranked #3, one spot behind the Cards. A #3 ranking would make sense to earn a 1-seed, but the Huskies haven't played anyone noticeable. South Carolina is 5-1 and ranked #5. They have a pair of ranked wins but lost at home to NC State. They're borderline 1-seed/2-seed.

Louisville is projected as a 2-seed alongside Oregon, Baylor, and Arizona. But why a 2-seed? The Cards are ranked #2 and hold a blowout victory over a ranked DePaul team. They hold a win over another NCAA Tournament-caliber team in UT Martin.

The 16-team layout would feature just two ACC teams in Louisville and NC State. A 48-team tournament would add Syracuse and Georgia Tech. That layout would give the Top 16 teams (top four in each region) a first-round bye. Moving onto the traditional 64-team tournament we see Florida State, North Carolina, and Virginia Tech join the party.

With no home court advantage and still qualifying for a first round bye in the event of a 48-team tournament there shouldn't be too much of an issue. Besides, there is still plenty of season remaining. Still, it can be viewed as a bit disrespectful to put the Cards as a 2-seed.

We will have plenty to discuss about basketball this Saturday on air. It should be noted that our Sa
turday Cardinal Couple Radio Hour-ish Podcast will be without Case, as he celebrates his birthday and Daryl, as she celebrates her mother's birthday. 

Paulie, Worldwide, and I will be glad to still put on a show and maybe even talk about how much coal Santa left each of us.

Happy Thursday, Happy Christmas Eve, and Go Cards! You can send any unwanted Christmas gifts my way.

Jared