MafiaMan

The problem with sports in general is that the taunts have become an "it's all about me" showcase. Two years ago I was watching an NCAA game where DePaul was losing by (this is no lie) 30 points to Cincinnati. Late in the game, a Cincy player makes a steal and a Blue Demon player swats his layup attempt into the seats. The guy got into the Cincy player's face and yipped at him for five seconds before a referee finally had enough and gave him a T. Your team's losing by 30 with minutes left...block the shot, get ready to play defense again, and shut your pie-hole. If you're gonna do something, just go over the top like Tiger Williams. I still crack up watching that highlight.

I sat in section 102 and civility ruled the evening. The Gopher fans around me have all gotten rather cordial. Then again, my buddies and I have been in that section surrounded by the same group of people for seven years now (since the tournament moved to the X). It's funny, but I almost look forward to seeing the people I haven't seen since the previous year's Final Five. I did notice in SEVERAL sections throughout Saturday night's game that skirmishes, finger-pointing, taunting, and even a few shoves being thrown. Behind the zamboni entrance, I counted at least four people who were ejected by security. WPoS, had you been sitting next to me, I'd have told you that it wasn't a good game, but a great game.

I'm quite certain Danny heard me last spring as he skated thru the line with Holy Cross when I yelled out "Where's the jersey pop now, Danny?". In their defense, I think most of these kids learned the stupid "jersey-pop" trick from watching rubes at the Xcel Energy Center do it every time the fan cam strolls thru the arena. On a somewhat-similar issue, STOP DOING THE WAVE!

I realize you have to pick with your head and not your heart, but, cmon, picking the Gophers to win it? I feel like throwing up.

How come I never notice these things myself?

Pizza joint upstairs and a dog downstairs? When was that, 1988?

I'm a little disappointed too...I need a better look at the girl in the red bandana!

And I'm the one considered the board pervert...

Dude, my softball and broomball teams have been partially sponsored by the Hoggsbreath for at least 12 years. I've never experienced anything like what you are referring to above. We are usually in there on Tuesday or Thursday evenings after our games. Obviously, the "crowd" might be a little different on your typical Saturday night. Drug raids? I've never heard that one...

Thanks to Siouxman (and Mrs Siouxman), Keikla, Siouxmama, Sioux-cia, and YaneA for joining me for breakfast at the Hoggsbreath. An allergic reaction to almonds wasn't needed...thanks to some unusally slow service, our meals were free. Siouxman, Mrs. Siouxman, Keikla...nice meeting all of you. Sioux-cia and YaneA...nice seeing you again. Siouxmama...nice meeting you...and thank you for assisting me with the Mike Commodore bobblehead purchase. GO SIOUX!

Yee haw! I'll be sporting the Maine blues tonight! See ya at the X!

While I'm assuming at some point this weekend that Drinkinwiththedogs will have her head in the Liffey biffy, let's stick with the Hoggsbreath for breakfast on Saturday. The offer still stands for those out-of-towners who would prefer that I pick them up en-route to the Hoggsbreath...as long as it's somewhere in the path from Bloomington to Little Canada.

Just a follow-up on this...my mapquest directions tell me that Champps on W 7th is 5.66 miles from my parking lot (3 blocks east of the X) while the Hoggsbreath is 5.99 miles from my parking lot.

My Suzuki XL-7 can seat 5 comfortably.

Trust me...any bar in downtown St Paul will be a zoo.

Hoggsbreath has way better breakfast food. Tell ya what...I'll meet you in front of the X at 10:45 am and will give you a ride to the Hogger. Can't beat that deal!

I'm pretty sure you mean 'unlucky'.

And yet we still have to endure comments from Gopher fans about "25 year old Canadians."

The Hoggsbreath is located in Little Canada off of Highway 36 and Rice Street, miles away from the downtown parade and hustle and bustle of St Patricks Day in St Paul. People who left the Hogger last year at 12:30-1:00 pm had plenty of time to get to St Paul and get to Xcel for the Gophers-don't-care (AKA third place) game. I don't anticipate any problems.

I organized a small get-together last year at the Hoggsbreath for SiouxSports.com fans. I think about 8-10 people came out for a Saturday pre-game breakfast and some NCAA basketball watching prior to the 3rd place game. Is there any interest in getting together again this year? I think we may have been a bit early with a 10 am slot last year so I was thinking around 11:00 am this time around. Anyone interested? We had a great time last year and it was fun meeting some of the monikers on the board in person. Head count, please! If I get enough takers, I'll book a table or two at the Hoggsbreath.

Who wants to be responsible for picking up and returning my jerseys if deemed necessary? I can bring them to the Final Five without a problem. 16 - royal blue IceHoggs 16 - yellow Sweden 13 - green Pizza Factory

Giggity! That's hot!