Cheating — It’s Everywhere and It’s Really Sad

Cheating.
It’s everywhere.
It has always been a part of life.
It’ll never disappear.
It’s really sad.
Cheaters think “how can I get what I want by not following the rules?”
Cheaters ruin it for those who follow the rules. Those who go by the book. Those who do it the right way.
Cheaters must feel they can’t be equal without doing things illegally.
Cheaters find the means to get what they want.
I deal in sports.
Those who have cheated in sports have done the following:
pitchers have doctored baseballs, receivers have used stickum on their hands, gamblers have induced basketball players to shave points, coaches have recruited illegally by paying agents, an NBA referee
has admitted betting on games he officiated, football coaches have illegally stolen signals, players and coaches are known to have done things such as change the air in a football, boxers have taken a dive.

These are just some of the ways there has been cheating in sports. There are others, I’m sure, other ways of which we have no clue.

Heck, even in our little golf matches on weekends, some of our friends improve their lie in the rough, or even miraculously find their lost ball. How accurate are handicaps?

I’m talking about sports here.

In the big picture, cheating in life makes cheating in sports insignificant, really.

People cheat in their personal lives. This isn’t a revelation. People who do that have to answer to a higher power.

What forces me to reflect on the subject was the news that wealthy TV celebrities cheated to get their kids into high-profile colleges.
What really hurt, was that those who deserved it more, lost out because celebrities with money bribed schools to boost their kids, many of whom, didn’t really care. They were so totally spoiled they relished the parties etc. and had no interest in going to college for an education.

Why was this done?

Ego and pride.

Both killers. Ego is fine if you use it to excel. But ego to show how great you are is never a good thing.

Look at those who accepted hefty bribes.

Coaches of minor sports teams.

How can they look in the mirror? Imagine, deciding to enter a profession of teaching and athletic training, then deciding to take money illegally to give a scholarship to a youngster who NEVER played the sport.

Of course, the school administrators are the ones really responsible, but they may never pay the price.

And maybe they will.

I could never understand cheaters. How do they sleep at night? How can they live with themselves?

I know it will never go away.

Cheating is a way of life.

I don’t mean to play psychiatrist in bringing up a topic we all know exists.
And I’m not absolving myself. But that particular story of the college cheating scandal made me want to reflect.

I know you can’t cheat when it comes to the NCAA Basketball Championship brackets.

You had to have them in by now. The tournament is underway. The great show has started.

By now, those who are engrossed in the championship are either exhausted or pumped up by all the analysis they have absorbed.

I have no idea who will win the national title, but have some observations.

The ACC and the Big Ten are, to no surprise, the dominant conferences.

One of the two will stumble.

Contrary to popular opinion, I don’t feel Duke is clearly headed to cut down the nets. Also, to the general consensus that Gonzaga is a weak number one seed, I believe they have a great chance to win it all.

Why?

Despite the fact teams loaded with freshman stars who are just playing for one year before going on to the NBA, teams who have been winners, and have gained experience in the tournament, are dangerous.

I think Gonzaga is, and I think Duke is vulnerable. Yes, even with the next super great performer, Zion Williamson.

Duke beat another top-seed Virginia twice during the regular season. But I think Virginia, shocked in the first-round last year, is the best of the ACC and should ride their way to the Final Four.

Michigan State, which got a raw deal playing in the same bracket as the Blue Devils, could also get to Minneapolis. The Spartans would have to beat Duke to get there.

Michigan is another one to watch, a showdown with Gonzaga would be a treat.

Hey, praising the Zags would mean they would have beaten my Syracuse in the second round. I don’t fill out brackets. I just root hard for my alma mater.

And how about Buffalo? They’ve been outstanding all year. If a school seeded as high as number 6 can be a Cinderella, Buffalo is my choice.

What is always been fascinating for me is how the luck of the draw affects the tournament as it progresses.

For instance, in 2016, Syracuse defeated Middle Tennessee State in the second round and moved on to the regionals. Middle Tennessee State had upset Michigan State, a No. 2 seed and one of the top favorites win
the title, in the first round.

Often, not having to play a tough opponent because they’ve been knocked out in the previous game, has a huge influence in what transpires.

Of course, all this is written before any games have been played.

As you read this, you’re well aware of who has advanced, even through the first two games.

So you could either have been chuckling over foolish “predictions”, or nodding your head with respect.

In any event, enjoy this wonderful time.

Without doubt, one of the major highlights of the sports year.