Comparing NCAA Teams to Nominated Oscar Films

I just recalled that my friend "Nat McCarron" had sent me article ideas in the past year... and I found one from February that needs (i.e. "needed") to be published. No joke. It's 5 months late, but it still works. Plus, I can add some commentary since the tournament and the Oscars have taken place since the article was written. For those who don't remember, "Nat MacCarron" is a Super-Indiana Hoosier-fan. She wrote an article last year on All-Star NBA Players she would take on in a fight.

ACC - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Overhyped studio pic with overhyped actors and schmaltzy storyline that has no legitimate chance of winning the Oscar in light of other nominated features but stands out because it wins the box office returns portion of the competition.

UCLA - Frost/Nixon

Nixon plays the zone defense in this political thriller. Frost tries to penetrate over and over again and is constantly rejected at every turn. In the end, Frost finally breaks through that killer 1-3-1 defense and makes Nixon look like a fool.

Minnesota and Tubby Smith - Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler

Grizzled old hack gets another chance at real life and profession - fucks up real life and rocks it out in professional life. Discovers the only life that's ever been real has been the professional one - goes out with a bang. [Gutsy's Note: The Minnesota Golden Gophers ended up making the tournament and losing by 14 to Texas in the 1st round]

Butler - Robert Downey Jr., "Tropic Thunder"

Such an underdog in this category, you really want to see him win. It's not everyday you see a former Brat-packer playing an Aussie method actor who undergoes experimental pigmentation surgery to play the part of a Black man in a Vietnam film - and he pulls it off! But it's too much to expect him to win this award - especially in a field where Heath Ledger is the likely winner for "The Dark Knight." [Gutsy's Note: Nat wrote this in February BEFORE the Oscars announced that Heath Ledger would win. Yeah.]

UConn - Meryl Streep, Doubt

Always a classic, Streep gives another incredible performance knocking her total nomination count to 15. She won't win this year though - it'll likely go to favorite Kate Winslet or sleeper Melissa Leo. [Gutsy's Note: UConn did go to the Final 4 - and lost to hometown team Michigan State. Kate Winslet (UNC) did indeed win best actress as predicted.]

Indiana - Slumdog Millionaire

Kid gets the short end of the stick and his own family screws him over again and again but comes out on top in the end. (I can dare to dream, right?) [Gutsy's Note: I think I'll spare all the Hoosier fans out there and not speak of their horrific season]