By: Kipp Branch
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The month of April is a very underappreciated sports month. Think about it for a second.
You have the final four in college basketball, the start of baseball season, The Masters, The NFL draft, and local playoff baseball with three local teams poised the make playoff runs.
Let’s start with the final four. Has there ever been a bigger Cinderella in college basketball than Loyola-Chicago? I know I will be a huge fan this weekend just like 95% of America will.
What captures national awareness more than a huge sports underdog making a championship run? Sister Jean and Loyola against Michigan in one national semifinal game. On paper Michigan should win.
The Wolverines have won 11 straight neutral site games by an average of 15 points. All signs point to a Michigan victory, but I watched the 1986 classic movie this week “Hoosiers” starring Gene Hackman to get ready for Saturday and I’m hoping for the upset.
My heart says Loyola and my head says Michigan. I’m going with my heart because my beautiful girlfriend is sitting right next to me as I write the story. Loyola wins 76-73 to make title game.
In the other matchup of blue bloods, you have Villanova and Kansas. Villanova is averaging 86 points a game and can put the ball in the basket. Kansas beat Duke so that automatically gives them high marks from me. I like Kansas to win this game.
Then you have Loyola against Kansas in the final on Monday night. Kansas like no other college basketball blue blood has been taken down by Cinderella many times in the tourney over the years.
Here is hoping for history to repeat as Loyola shocks the country and takes down Kansas 79-77 for the National Championship. Sister Jean for President in 2020. The President would not dare to tweet anything negative about Sister Jean, would he? The would be a recipe for disaster.
Tiger Woods is going to take America by storm again and win the Masters with a back nine charge for the ages on Sunday. Tiger will shoot 29 on the back nine to win by one over Bubba Watson. Tiger in a Green Jacket for the 5th time would be television gold.
April means the start of baseball season for the RONALD ACUNA-less Atlanta Braves. I’ll tune in when they call their future up in May.
NFL draft is later in April and the Jaguars need help on the at OL, WR, and TE. This team is a Super Bowl contender. The Falcons need help at DL and DB. They can make a run if they get the defense at a championship level.
Local high school teams are a combined 41-13. Glynn, Brunswick, and Frederica all will make playoffs, but this 18-2 Glynn squad, led by Randon Jernigan, can make a title run. If pitching can hold up then these baseball Terrors have a shot to bring a state title to the Golden Isles.
Yep, April is a very underrated sports month on the calendar.
Braves please call up Ronald Acuna soon!
Sincerely, Your Fan Base
