Search This Blog

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Bracket Challenge Update: It's Madness

Two weeks ago, the NCAA basketball tournament began with 68 hopeful teams.  Likewise, the Banshee Bracket Challenge began two weeks ago with 21 hopeful entrants vying for bragging rights and a subscription to Tailgater Magazine.  It's time to analyze the possible victors under the eight possible scenarios this weekend.

The NCAA field is now whittled down to four teams:  Villanova, Oklahoma, North Carolina and Syracuse.  As we head into the final weekend of the tournament, Julie Chittock leads the Banshee Bracket Challenge with 79 points and a bracket named "My Kids Picks."  Julie also has the highest possible remaining score, but she does not yet have the competition clinched.

I am not a math major, but it appears that in addition to Julie Chittock, there are four others who still have a chance to win the Banshee Bracket Challenge.  The remaining contenders are Jamee Wetzel (3rd place), TSkeet (5th place), Jason Todd (tied for 7th place) and Jeff Greenberg (tied for 7th place).  I'm not willing to swear to this under oath, but here is what I believe is the path to victory for each of the remaining contenders.

If Oklahoma wins the championship then Julie wins the challenge.  End of story.  Julie also wins the challenge if Syracuse beats Oklahoma in the final game.

If Villanova wins the championship then TSkeet wins the challenge.  The other side of the bracket does not matter.

If Villanova plays for the title but loses to North Carolina, then Jason Todd wins the challenge.

If Villanova plays for the title but loses to Syracuse then Jamee Wetzel wins the challenge.

That covers seven of the eight possible scenarios.  In the eighth scenario, North Carolina defeats Oklahoma in the championship game.  In that case, Jeff Greenberg will win the challenge.

So there you have it, folks.


Subscribe to Banshee Sports by Email

Sunday, March 20, 2016

Cooking with Banshee: Creamy Horseradish Spread

We are in the midst of March Madness.  Nothing goes better with watching sports than a good dip.  I originally found this Creamy Horseradish Spread in Tailgater Magazine, but I added some of my own tweaks to the recipe.  I also found a new use for the Creamy Horseradish Spread.

In Tailgater Magazine, this was called a dip.  The first time I made it, that's how I used it.  It is a delicious dip for pita chips, raw veggies, or potato chips.  But, the second time around, I discovered that this recipe is also an amazing topping for burgers or steaks.  Hence, I changed the name to Creamy Horseradish Spread.

horseradish recipe
Creamy Horseradish Spread
Creamy Horseradish Spread

Ingredients:
8 oz whipped cream cheese
2 cups shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese
1/4 cup sour cream
3 Tbs prepared horseradish
1 vegetable bouillon cube
1 tsp kosher salt

Directions:
Place the salt and the bouillon cube in a morter and mash them together with a pestle.  Add all ingredients, including the mashed bullion and salt to a food processor.  Process until all ingredients are fully blended and the mixture is creamy.  This might require stirring the ingredients halfway during the processing.  Transfer the mixture to a bowl.  Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate.  The spread can be served cold or at room temperature.

Tips and Tricks:
If you don't have a mortar and pestle, you can mash the bouillon and salt together with the back of a spoon in a bowl.  I used hot horseradish instead of the normal kind.  This makes a pretty powerful dip for veggies, but if you are using this spread on meats, I highly recommend the hot variety.  Don't skimp on the quality of the cheese.  Cheese is expensive, so I know this can be tempting.  Horseradish is the name of this topping, but it really is the cheese that makes it special.  Color doesn't affect the taste, but if you stick with white, the spread will look a lot prettier.

Enjoy!

Subscribe to Banshee Sports by Email

Sunday, March 13, 2016

2016 Banshee Sports Bracket Challenge

bracket competition
The NCAA tournament gets underway this week.  Join in the fun by signing up for Banshee Sports Bracket Challenge at Yahoo!.

The Banshee Sports Bracket Challenge is not just about bragging rights.  It is also about prizes.  This year's winner will receive a 12-month subscription to Tailgater Magazine.  This includes hard copies of the magazine and monthly email newsletters.  Tailgater Magazine has something for everyone, not just season ticket holders.  Delicious recipes, grilling gadgets, entertainment ideas and party games are all a part of this magazine.

All year long, we have been celebrating the fifth anniversary of Banshee Sports.  Since this is the fifth annual bracket challenge, we hope to make this the biggest competition yet.  That will need your help.  Invite your friends.  Invite your family.  Heck, invite people you hate so you can rub it in their noses when they are eliminated from contention after the first weekend.

Since this is the fifth year of the competition, the goal is to get fifty entrants.  If we make it to that mark, there will be a prestigious booby prize for the last place finisher.

Sign up and let's have some fun.


Subscribe to Banshee Sports by Email

Sunday, March 6, 2016

Anniversary Flashback: Most Bizarre Moments in Sports

In March of 2012, Banshee Sports was still just a baby blog.  I was still using an old layout with old graphics and a "blogspot" domain name.  I was still getting the hang of using pictures and videos in my posts.  So, this post from March 2, 2012 is special to me not just because it was super fun to write but because it was also a big step forward in terms of production quality on the site.

It's been four years since this column was published.  I'm curious to know if there are any new moments that should be added to the list.  If you think so, please leave a comment.


10 Most Bizarre Moments in Sports

Bobby Valentine in disguise
In the early morning hours of February 28, 2012, the 3-Daystona finally came to an end.  The Great American Race was supposed to be run on Sunday, February 26, but rain pushed NASCAR's premier event into primetime on Monday, February 27.  This knocked FOX's regular Monday night lineup off the air.  As a result, thousands of casual fans were watching the Daytona 500 when Juan Pablo Montoya wrecked into a jet dyer during a caution on lap 160.  200 gallons of jet fuel spilled onto the track at Daytona International Speedway and exploded into fire.

This was truly one of the most bizarre incidents I had ever seen or even heard of in sports.  This led me to start thinking about the other most bizarre moments in sports history.  I'm sure there are plenty other worthy events, but this is what I came up with.

10.  Jeff Van Gundy vs. Alonzo Mourning's Leg.  The NBA has changed a lot in the last 15 years.  Back in the 1990's teams were expected to settle their own disagreements on the court.  Click here to continue reading.


Subscribe to Banshee Sports by Email