March Madness 2012 Kicks Analysis #6: The Final Four
My, oh my, how the odds have been beaten. The 2012 Tournament started with 76% of the teams (49) wearing a swoosh. The three stripes of Adidas were on 19% (12 teams) and Under Armour picking up 3 spots.
The Sweet 16 began the trend towards parity, going to 9 Nike teams to 7 Adidas teams. The Elite 8 halved the Sweet 16 teams and somewhat halved the shoe representation going from 9 to 5 Nike teams and 7 to 3 Adidas teams.
The Final Four is all tied up, two to two. Ohio State and Kentucky for Nike and Kansas and Louisville for Adidas. Both brands are even steven at 50%.
March Madness 2012 Kicks Analysis #5: Elite 8
The 2012 Sweet 16 stood with 9 Nike and 7 Adidas teams. As half have fallen, the Elite 8 stands at 5 Nike and 3 Adidas teams. They are:
- Syracuse (Nike)
- Ohio St. (Nike)
- North Carolina (Nike)
- Kansas (Adidas)
- Kentucky (Nike)
- Baylor (Adidas)
- Louisville (Adidas)
- Florida (Nike)
Last year, the 2011 field of 8 stood 7 strong with Nike and one sole Adidas. In ’08, it was a 4-all tie, and in ’07, Nike had a slight nod, 5-3 over Adidas.
It’s Winter Online!
In the realm of the Internet, it’s already winter.
Season 2 of the Game of Thrones is already available on HBO Go! The North Remembers…
Winter Is at Costco
Winter is coming to Westeros, but it’s already at Costco if you’re looking for the Song of Ice and Fire novels by George R.R. Martin.
Game of Thrones Is THAT Good!
After catching up with Season 1 on DVD and with Season 2 about to begin on April 1, we have subscribed to HBO. Yes, the Game of Thrones is that good. Damn you the Starks of Winterfell, the Dragon family of the Targaryens, and especially Tyrion Lannister for making me dish out for premium cable channels!
On hold goes Netflix for the opportunity to watch the coming wars of Season 2.
March Madness 2012 Kicks Analysis #4: Shoes of Champions
Adidas is All In by outfitting teams with the adiZero Crazy Light shoes. The most noticeable colorway being Baylor’s neon Electricity. Although Nike says Rise As One, they have a variety of team shoes on display during the Madness of March. Jordans remain popular and can be seen on any team, but Nike is pushing the LeBron 9 and the Zoom Hyperenforcer.
Nike Zoom Hyperenforcer
adiZero Crazy Light
In either case, I’m not liking both. The Zoom Hyperenforcer looks “run of the mill” without anything really standing out with its design. While the Crazy Light may be crazy light, it has an appearance of an ankle brace. I still say Nike missed an opportunity with the Zoom Rookie.
Electric Cars and Bras
I really don’t understand the value of a “car bra,” but I guess it’s reassuring to know the electric Leaf can cover herself up.
Note to Self: Recalibrate iPhone Home Button
If that iPhone home button is acting up, try recalibrating it. Yes, it can be done. Here are instructions or watch the video below.
March Madness 2012 Kicks Analysis #3: Sweet 16
Historically, Kicks Analysis #3 is reserved for the breakdown of teams and the first 48 victories of March Madness. But really, I don’t know what this stat showed other than a continuation of the distribution of the overall shoe sponsorship. So I’m gonna scrap this one and move on to the shoes worn by the teams who made it to the Sweet Sixteen.
Amazingly, with Nike starting the tournament with a 49 to 12 ratio compared to Adidas wearing teams, the Sweet Sixteen has 7 teams wearing Adidas and 9 teams wearing Nike. From a 76% Nike, 19% Adidas start, it’s now a 56% for Nike’s Rise as One and 44% Adidas’ All In (no representation by Under Armour).
Today Was a Disappointing Day
Today was a disappointing day. To end the day, a meeting I was actually looking forward to took place prematurely. There were a number of staff waiting for the meeting outside the meeting room which had the door closed. Usually, the closed door means do not disturb. So we waited patiently.
Thirty minutes later the door finally opens and those in the room said the meeting was done. It had started early with no disregard to those who were supposed to attend. Not one person in the entire roomful of people brought up the point that the meeting start should be delayed until the appointed time. So there we waited, people standing around, those on VTC, those on phone conference – all waiting for a meeting that was already underway and completed without our knowledge.
To make things painfully ironic, there is an initiative to improve meeting effectiveness. I am dumbfounded over this “meeting” and more sadly, I am disappointed.
World Backup Day on March 31
(And win a new iPad!). First off, this Saturday, March 31, is designated as World Backup Day 2012. This is the first I’ve ever heard of this “event” but in this day and age of Internet memes and causes, I’m not surprised.
So on World Backup Day, please remember to save all your precious files. You never know when your hard drive will stop cooperating. To encourage backing up your files, many participating commercial vendors are offering up deals and prizes. My favorite online backup company, Backblaze, is offering up the chance to win a new iPad by trying out their service. Read the official rules here.
Try out the Backblaze trial and if you like the reassurance that your files are protected off-site by Backblaze, sign up for an account.