The NCAA Men’s basketball tournament is down to the last four teams and three games. The games will be played this Saturday at the Alamodome in San Antonio Texas.
The tourney started a couple of weeks ago with 68 teams, now only four remain. Those four, Auburn, Duke, Florida and Houston, were all #1 seeds in their regions.
Florida and Auburn tip off at 6:09 ET with Houston and Duke set to tip at 8:49 ET. The Championship game is scheduled for Monday at 8:50 Eastern.
It is the first time since 2008 – and only the second time ever – that the Final Four are all the top seeds. There have been more instances of no #1 seeds in the Final Four, 3 – 2006, 2011 and 2023 – than there have been all #1 seeds finals.
Full disclosure: Your editor is a graduate of Duke University and roots for the Blue Devils even though he hates the Duke fan base.
ATLANTIC OCEAN (March 24, 2025) The Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) transits the Atlantic coast while underway. Iwo Jima is conducting advanced-phase training exercises designed to enhance warfighting readiness and interoperability at sea. Iwo Jima is the flagship of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group which is uniquely positioned to deter aggression, project power through presence abroad, and execute contingency missions with its integrated Marine Corps team in support of U.S. strategic interests. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Zachary Swigart)
Army
U.S. Soldiers assigned to Regimental Engineer Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment jump over a wall at the obstacle course during a Squadron spur ride at the 7th Army Training Command’s Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, March 25, 2025. During the event, Troopers must complete a series of warrior tasks and drills in order to obtain the right to wear the cavalry’s coveted spurs. The 2nd Cavalry Regiment provides V Corps, America’s forward-deployed corps, with combat-credible forces capable of rapid deployment throughout the European theater to defend the NATO alliance. (U.S. Army photo by Markus Rauchenberger)
Navy
An aircrew member assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 26 is hoisted aboard a MH-60S helicopter as part of a training event onboard Naval Weapons Station Yorktown. HSC-26 trains pilots and aircrewmen to employ the MH-60S worldwide in a variety of missions, including fleet logistics support, search and rescue, medical evacuation, special warfare support, anti-surface warfare and humanitarian assistance/disaster relief. The squadron fulfills secondary missions of theater security cooperation and U.S. 2nd Fleet operational support. (U.S. Navy Photo by Max Lonzanida/Released).
Marine Corps
Recruits with Kilo Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, execute the Battle of Fallujah event during the Crucible at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island S.C., March 20, 2025. The Crucible is the culmination of the knowledge and skills recruits learn throughout recruit training. (U.S. Marine photo taken by Lance Cpl. Jacob Claudell)
Air Force
Senior Airman Dariel Gonzalez Ramos, 90th Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler, carries MWD Rex after being fired at by opposing forces during detection training with environmental stimuli at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., March 10, 2025. Detection training is conducted to test and enhance MWD’s performance capabilities in simulated hostile environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Mattison Cole)
Coast Guard
Members of a U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment and U.S. Navy Sailors assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) conduct small boat operations in the Pacific Ocean, March 26, 2025. U.S. Navy assets are employed under U.S. Northern Command’s maritime homeland defense authorities with a U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment embarked to enable maritime interdiction missions to prevent the flow of illegal drugs and other illegal activity. U.S. Northern Command is working together with the Department of Homeland Security to augment U.S. Customs and Border Protection along the Southern border with additional military forces. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Joey Sitter) (This photo has been altered for security purposes by blurring out personal identifying information.)
The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act, signed into law in 2017 by President Trump, designates March 29 of each year as National Vietnam War Veterans Day.
Vietnam Veterans represented nearly 10% of their generation.
The U.S. actions in Vietnam began slowly with the deployment of advisors in the early 1950s and expanded incrementally to include the deployment of combat forces in July 1965.
The conflict continued until January 1973, when representatives of the United States, North and South Vietnam, and the Vietcong signed a peace agreement in Paris. U.S. forces returned home over the next few months, with the last military unit leaving on March 29, 1973.
March 29 is a fitting choice for a day honoring Vietnam Veterans. March 29, 1973, was when the last U.S. combat troops departed Vietnam. In addition, on and around this same day, Hanoi released the last of its acknowledge prisoners of war.
On behalf of the crew here at MVAP I thank all of you.
Sergeant Joe Harris, who was believed to be the oldest surviving WWII paratrooper died on 15 March in Los Angeles. He was 108.
Harris was born on June 19, 1916, in West Dale, Louisiana. He began his military service in 1941 when he was 24. By the time he was honorably discharged in November 1945, he had completed 72 parachute jumps.
After the war, he worked for the U.S. Border Patrol. He also spent more than 60 years in Compton, California, where Pittman said he was the neighborhood patriarch, a man everyone on the block knew and gravitated to.
Harris was among the last surviving members of the historic 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion, nicknamed the Triple Nickles. The battalion did not serve overseas during World War II, primarily because it never reached full strength for an Airborne Infantry Battalion. Instead they were shipped to the west coast to battle fires started by Japanese Fu-Go balloon bombs.
He is survived by his son and two daughters along with five grandchildren. His wife, Louise Harris, died in 1981.
He will be honored with a full military funeral on April 5.
Opening day of the baseball season was yesterday and it included several firsts. Austin Wells was the first Yankee catcher to hit in the leadoff spot. He had the first hit of the season and the first home run with a solo shot in the first.
Orioles outfielder Tyler O’neill hit an opening day homer for the 6th straight season.
Nats starter Mackenzie Gore fanned 13 Phillies yesterday. That feat – 13 K in an opening day game – had only been done once before, by the great Bob Gibson.
Now on to our regularly scheduled shenanigans. . .
Pearls before Swine
Political Commentary
Dad Jokes
Memes
This week’s musical selection comes from one of the most influential Hardcore/Punk bands of the late 80’s, Hüsker Dü.
Featured Image: The Polo Grounds in Upper Manhattan. The Polo Grounds were the home to the NY Giants before they moved to San Francisco and the NY Mets until Shea stadium opened in 1964. It was approximately a quarter mile from Yankee stadium in the Bronx across the Harlem River.
Major League Baseball returns today with 28 of the 30 MLB teams playing. Tampa Bay and Colorado are the two not playing.
First pitch for the first game – the Brewers at the Yankees – is 1505 EDT. That matchup features Freddie Peralta (11-9, 3.68 ERA last year) facing off against Carlos Rodon (16-9, 3.96 ERA). The game time temp is expected to be a sunny but chilly 49°. That kind of thermometer reading is pretty normal for the Bronx at the end of March.
L-Freddie Peralta, R-Carlos Rodon
Other marquis matchups include Last year’s NL Cy Young winner Chris Sale and his Atlanta Braves facing Michael King in San Diego and last years AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal and the Tigers up against the Dodgers and two time Cy Young winner Blake Snell in Chavez Ravine.
Among the story lines for the 2025 season is the question of whether the Dodgers can repeat as World Series Champs. They picked up the above-mentioned Snell, starter Roki Sasaki from the All Nippon League and lefty reliever Tanner Scott. Scott posted a 1.75 ERA and reached his first All-Star Game last year after splitting the season between the Marlins and the Padres.
Will Aaron Judge hit 63 homers this year? Will he win the Triple Crown after just missing it – he led in homers and RBI but was 10 % points behind Bobby Witt jr for Average – last year? Can Shohei Ohtani be the first member of the 60-60 club? Who will be this years Cy Young winners?
Well, we’ll start finding that out starting today.
Featured Image: A High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle with 3rd Marine Logistics Group departs an Improved Navy Lighterage System during a 3rd MLG instream offload operation as part of Freedom Banner 25 at Republic of Korea Marine Corps Base Pohang, South Korea, Feb. 28, 2025. The instream offload, a training evolution alongside Beachmaster Unit 1, Naval Beach Group 1, and the ROKMC Marine Logistics Group, refines and validates 3rd MLG’s ability to transport, offload and distribute vehicles and equipment from ship to shore without the use of a pier. This type of sealift capability allows the unit to maneuver equipment in austere environments without using established infrastructure, such as in locations following a natural disaster. Freedom Banner 25 is a Maritime Prepositioning Force exercise where 3rd MLG offloads equipment and provides support to III Marine Expeditionary Force units training throughout South Korea, testing and validating 3rd MLG’s ability to conduct integrated logistics operations in complex environments. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Jonathan G. Wright)
Army
U.S. Army Soldiers monitor the barrier near Chula Vista, California, on March 1, 2025. U.S. Northern Command is working together with the Department of Homeland Security to augment U.S. Customs and Border Protection along the southern border with additional military forces. This photo has been altered for security purposes. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Crist Joseph)
Navy
An F/A-18F Super Hornet from the “Mighty Shrikes” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 94 launches from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in the Pacific Ocean, Feb. 10, 2025. Nimitz is underway in U.S. 3rd Fleet conducting routine training operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Hannah Kantner)
Marine Corps
U.S. Marine Corps amphibious combat vehicles assigned to 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st Marine Division, disembark from the well deck of amphibious transport dock ship USS Somerset (LPD 25) as part of the Quarterly Underway Amphibious Readiness Training 25.2 off the coast of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, March 9, 2025. QUART is a joint training exercise designed to develop and sustain essential amphibious readiness skills for effective operations in maritime environments while reinforcing the Navy-Marine Corps partnership. Somerset is currently underway conducting routine operations in U.S. 3rd Fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Evan Diaz)
Air Force
Tech. Sgt. Jesse Liethen, a 908th Operations Support Squadron survival, evasion, resistance and escape specialist, is pulled from the water after being submerged in a dunker chair during a SERE water survival training at the East Branch YMCA, Montgomery, Ala., Feb. 27, 2025. Liethen demonstrated the ins-and-outs of the chair, including how to recognize and manage any disorientation in aircrew members to help them regain composure and execute escape procedures effectively. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Erica Webster)
Coast Guard
U.S. Coast Guard rescue swimmers assist aliens aboard a disabled vessel off the coast of San Diego, March 11, 2025. All 15 passengers were safely hoisted onto an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter and brought to Sector San Diego to be transferred to Customs and Border Protection custody. (U.S. Coast Guard courtesy photo)
Space Force
The U.S. Space Force’s X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle Mission Seven successfully landed at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, March 7, 2025. The X-37B landed at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, to exercise the service’s ability to recover the spaceplane across multiple sites. (U.S. Space Force courtesy photo)
Born in Marshall Texas on January 10, 1949, Foreman was raised in Houston. He was a self-described troubled youth, dropping out of school at the age of 15. His turnaround started when he saw an ad for the Job Corps at 16. He earned his GED and several job skills in the Job Corps.
In 1968 George won a gold medal at the Mexico City Olympic Games. He beat the Soviet Union’s Jonas Cepulis by a referee stoppage. Foreman had beaten Cepulis bloody in the first round and forced a standing eight count in the second before the ref stopped the fight.
Foreman later said earning the Gold was the achievement he was most proud of in his boxing career.
George turned pro following the Olympics in 1969. He went undefeated in the first three years of his career, amassing a record of 32-0 with 29 knockouts.
In 1972, still undefeated and the #1 ranked contender in both the WBC and the WBA, two of the major sanctioning bodies, George squared off against undefeated and undisputed World Heavyweight Champion Joe Frazier. Before the fight, Frazier was 29–0 (25 KO) and Foreman was 37–0 (34 KO).
Frazier was knocked down six times by Foreman within two rounds (the three-knockdown rule was not in effect for this bout). In ABC’s rebroadcast, Howard Cosell made the memorable call, “Down goes Frazier! Down goes Frazier! Down goes Frazier!”
After the second knockdown, Frazier’s balance and mobility were impaired to the extent that he was unable to evade Foreman’s combinations. Frazier managed to get to his feet for all six knockdowns, but referee Arthur Mercante eventually called an end to the one-sided bout.
Foreman would take his first loss in Kinshasa Zaire in 1974 against Muhammad Ali.The Rumble in the Jungle was one of the most anticipated fights ever and it did not disappoint. Ali rope-a-doped his way to a victory and putting Big George on the canvas for the first time.
George first retired in 1979 after a health scare after a fight in Puerto Rico. After this experience, Foreman became a born-again Christian, dedicating his life for the next decade to God. Foreman stopped fighting and became an ordained minister, initially preaching on street corners before becoming the minister of the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ in Houston
In 1987, after 10 years away from the ring, Foreman surprised the boxing world by announcing a comeback at the age of 38. After fighting a series of tomato cans, Foreman had a series of title shots. He fought – and lost to – Evander Holyfield, Alex Stewart and Tommy Morrison.
In 1994, George faced Michael Moorer for the IBF and WBA titles. Foreman was not ranked at the time, but his name recognition got the fight scheduled. Through the first 9 rounds, Moorer out-boxed Foreman. In the 10th however, George tagged Moorer with a short right to the chin and put out his lights. At age 45 George Foreman was World Champion again.
George only had a couple of title defenses. He wound up being stripped of his titles because of scheduling.
It was during this second run that George partnered with Salton on the George Foreman Grill.
He made more from the partnership with Salton than he did in his boxing career.
George Foreman died at age 76 surrounded by his family.
After spending more than 9 months at the International Space Station after their Boeing Starliner developed issues, Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore are on their way back to Earth. The trip is not in a Starliner however, but aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule named Crew 10.
It has been alleged that the length of the stay was influenced by politics. Joe Biden supposedly did not want to give SpaceX and Elon Musk a win in the run up to the election.
Crew 10 undocked from the orbiting outpost at 1.05am ET with Wilmore, Williams, NASA Astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. Splashdown off the Florida coast near Tallahassee is estimated to be just before 1800 EDT.
