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Being a sportswriter is a great gig — don’t let anyone tell you different.
There are hard parts, though: industry instability, the continued advancement of AI and a general lack of physical fitness.
But 15 years into my career, there’s one thing that still makes me shudder more than anything: bracket season.
I’ve covered college basketball for more than a decade. I spent three years as an Associated Press Top 25 voter. I’m kind of paid to be on top of these things.
But ever since fellow Alaskan Mario Chalmers won me the 2008 Aber Hall pool at the University of Montana, my bracket has been a wasteland.
This year is no different. The Final Four taking the floor this weekend in Indianapolis does not include Nebraska and Purdue, as I forecasted. Nor does it feature Michigan State or Iowa State.
In a pool of 140 brackets, mine currently ranks 140th.
I’d be shocked — maybe even embarrassed — if this hadn’t become an annual occasion. But this is where I’m at. I’m filler. I’m extra money for the winner. I’m a nice ego boost for my friend’s aunt, who knows nothing about college basketball, picks entirely on feel and is currently dominating the pool.
I don’t know why I keep playing. I’d still watch the games regardless. Bracket success or not, it’s still the best two-week sporting event in the world.
But I’m weighing retirement. I’m obviously not as good as I once was, and, like the end of my Words with Friends career, I don’t know if it’s worth it just to stay in the bracket so my friends can feel better about beating someone who should be better.
The existentialist in the coordinator’s room
I’ve talked to newly hired Oregon offensive coordinators about recruiting. I’ve talked to them about the pistol offense, tempo and the pressure that comes with being the offensive guy at the offensive school.
Not once in sit-downs with Matt Lubick, Marcus Arroyo or Joe Moorhead had I heard the word “existentialism.”
Knowing their way around the place
Familiarity is key in the Oregon Ducks in 2026, especially with a roster loaded with veteran returners that know their way around the place.
But the key for the Ducks and their experience?
Oregon center Iapani Laloulu said the key is avoiding complacency.
“You got to be challenged every single day,” he said. “I think that’s one thing that’s good with coach Lanning. He doesn’t just call out the younger guys — he calls out the older dudes — especially because we set the standard, and we need to show the standard for (the freshmen) and dudes who are coming in from different programs.”
BIG money
When it came to Oregon leaving the Pac-12 for the Big Ten, some people focused on the cost.
What would it mean for the school to leave its longtime rivals and adversaries of the West Coast?
The jury may still be out on that one. But we’re beginning to learn what was gained. Oregon’s finances are out for their first full season in the Big Ten, and the move has led to big spending, big earnings and further proof that one has to spend money to make money is today’s modern collegiate landscape.
Duck of the Week: Kiara Romero, Women’s golf
Before the professionals hit Augusta National next week for the Masters, the top amateur women in the world are hitting the course this week for the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.
And Oregon’s Kiara Romero is in the hunt. Romero, the top amateur in the world, made the cut after posting consecutive two-under rounds of 70. Coming off a win last week at the Charles Schwab Women’s Collegiate Invitational, Romero sits in 16th heading into the week, seven shots back of the leader.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“I tell him he’s been playing college football longer than I’ve been coaching. He’s a seasoned vet, man.”
— Oregon running backs coach Ra’Shaad Samples on new Oregon back Simeon Price.
UPCOMING GAMES
- Baseball at Michigan • 12 p.m. • Thursday
- Track and Field at Stanford Invitational • Friday
- Softball vs. Iowa • 6 p.m. • Friday
- Baseball at Michigan • 1 p.m. • Friday
- Baseball at Michigan • 9 a.m. • Saturday
- Softball vs. Iowa • 4 p.m. • Saturday
- Softball vs. Iowa • 12 p.m. • Sunday
- Baseball at Portland • 5 p.m.m • Wednesday
STORIES I’m WORKING ON
Oregon running backs coach Ra’Shaad Samples can be, well, pretty mean. But next up, we’re writing about why the 31-year-old coach isn’t losing any sleep at night.
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Enjoy the last bit of Madness,
Tyson
