What a wild start of the day. So, lets set some context. My daughter Katie is playing rugby for the first time. And their game this morning was in Alexandria. So, the family climbed into the car at 7 am, and headed up to D.C. Katie’s rugby team did great, and I am so proud of her for trying a new sport. The Richmond Strikers rugby team won their first 15 vs. 15 rugby game of the season 66-15 over Alexandria. So, we were all very happy and tired and on our way home.

We stopped in Fredricksburg for lunch, and I realized the first game of the day had started – so I checked in on the score. And I tell Elizabeth and the kids, “you will not believe it, North Carolina is beating Baylor 42-29 at halftime. If UNC wins, I might have to go back through the blog to remember the lyrics that your dad taught the kids of the UNC Fight Songs.”

And Elizabeth said, “Oh – you don’t need to look up the lyrics. We can help” And without missing a beat, Elizabeth and the kids start singing.

To be fair, only Elizabeth yelled out the last line – we didn’t teach the kids that part when they were young. Charlie asked if they really sing that, and Elizabeth said yes, especially when they are playing Duke. And then she led them back into song

I’m a Tar Heel Born, I’m a Tar Heel Bred

And when I die, I’m a Tar Heel Dead

So It’s RAH RAH Car’lina ‘lina

RAH RAH Car’lina ‘lina

RAH RAH Car’lina RAH RAH RAH!!!

So, I pulled out my phone and said, “Great, I guess I can post it now!” And Elizabeth said, “NO!!!! You will jinx them!!!!”

When we get home, I turn on the game. And I look to see the game is still a 9 point lead, and I think they have got a chance here. And before they go to commercial, the announcer says “Baylor is on a 20-4 run!!! This one isn’t over yet!!!” I pause confused for a minute, and then realize that UNC had been up by 25 points, and now it is 9. Now, I am thinking what the heck is happening in this game.

I learn that after going up 25, the Tar Heels Brady Manek was ejected for a Flagrant 2 foul – and the Bears have gone on a tear ever since. Their pressure was relentless and UNC really struggled with it, turning the ball over multiple times.

Each time, Baylor sneaks up on what would be a historic comeback – 25 points would have tied the record ever comeback in the tournament, Charlie cheers on the Bears as I sadly watch the Tar Heels lead slip away. Then, confused, I said – “Wait a second!!!! Are you rooting for Baylor!!!!” And Charlie goes, “Yeah – I picked Baylor to win this game before losing to UCLA, and I want to win!”

I said, “You know as you cheer each time of a Baylor basket that I picked UNC in both of my picks and your mom and I always support the Tar Heels!” and he looked at me in shock that I would have picked UNC. “Well – then I really want them since it will give me 20 more points than you.” I couldn’t decide at that point if I should be disappointed in Charlie for picking against one of his Grandpa’s schools, and wouldn’t root for a huge upset simply over 20 points in the pool, or if I should be proud that Charlie wanted to beat me so badly that he cares about every single point.

Regardless, I get a little more comfortable when UNC went up by 6 points with just 38 seconds left. But Baylor’s Jeremy Sochan hit a three pointer, UNC’s Armando Bacot missed both free throws, and Baylor’s James Akinjo drive to the basket, lays it in while getting fouled, and ties the game from the line. UNC holds for the final shot, but RJ Davis waits too long and has to settle for a long three pointer that misses. We are heading to overtime.

As Dontrez Styles hits a three pointer to start overtime and give UNC back a 3 point lead, all I can think to myself is “This is all my fault! I was all ready to write this fun post!!! I picked them which we all know is a jinx!!! I guess I still would get to write about how Baylor had tied the largest comeback in NCAA history – but what fun is that!!! It wasn’t simply about the Basketball Pool or my Blog – as a fan, I really wanted to see the Tar Heels win. Fortunately, UNC wasn’t ready to give in. And RJ Davis put the lead away for good with a drive to the basket, and made a circus type shot while being fouled, which made both Charlie and me shout out in excitement – he may have been rooting for Baylor, but it was the type of athletic layup that was incredible. Davis hit the free throw as well to put the Tar Heels up 6 – and this time, Baylor had no answer.

Our first #1 seed has been knocked out of the tournament, and the North Carolina Tar Heels will be heading to Philadelphia for the East Regional Sweet 16. Meanwhile, as I type this, #1 Kansas is hanging on to a 1 point half-time lead over Creighton. Looks like we might have some more excitement – and it is only the first two games of the day!!!!