In a year where billion dollar prizes have been offered, and brackets were busted extremely early, we are looking at one of the most interesting March Madness Final Four’s to date. The remaining teams, Florida, Wisconsin, Kentucky and UConn have all had tough games to get to this prized land, and all are looking to cash in on their long and grueling seasons. Lets take a look at the Final Four matchups.Wisconsin v. Kentucky
Kentucky, one of the youngest teams in the entire NCAA and a starting lineup of entirely freshman, is looking to prove doubters wrong as Julius Randle and the Wildcats try and take out Wisconsin after barely escaping Michigan with a last second three-pointer by Aaron Harrison. Randle, one of the top prospects in the upcoming NBA draft, has been quietly having a very good tournament averaging close to double-double numbers. Kentucky is young, and has been getting better and better with each game.
Wisconsin, lead by junior, Frank Kaminsky, has been playing great basketball with their suffocating defense. Senior, Ben Brust, who is playing exceptionally well, recently set the record for most three-point shots made in Badger history. He's the X-factor when looking at Wisconsin’s chances of making it to the National Championship. If both Brust and Kaminksy can play good games in their showdown with Kentucky, look for Wisconsin to slip past the Wildcats.
Prediction: Wisconsin 77, Kentucky 73. I have Wisconsin winning this game because, with the loss of Cauley-Stein, I don’t see Kentucky being able to slow down Kaminsky in the post. Wisconsin, a team of upperclassman leaders, will also be able to use their experience and cohesiveness to stop the young Wildcats.
UConn v. Florida
Florida, led by senior point guard, Scottie Wilbekin, is looking to continue their amazing season where they held the number one spot in the nation for weeks. Florida, known for their great shooting and defense, took care of sleeper, Dayton, in the last round and is looking to keep moving forward and hopefully end up in the National Championship game.
UConn, led by former NBA player and now head coach, Kevin Ollie, along with guard Shabazz Napier, is looking to continue shocking the world and make its way to the final game. Napier, one of the best players in the nation, had a phenomenal game against the Michigan State Spartans, a team that many had winning the tournament. Napier and Co. showed that UConn is for real with their great defense, which resembles that of coach Ollie when he played in the NBA. This team, which is the team Florida last lost to, looks to take them out again.
Prediction: Florida 80, UConn 68. While UConn was able to take out Florida last time they played, Billy Donovan and the Gators will be able to slow down Shabazz Napier and UConn, propelling them into the National Championship game. Expect Florida to shoot well and UConn to make a late surge, one that comes up too short.
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Coors Light Summer Brew:
This summer shandy begins this list, it's a mix of lemon, lime and orange. While this is by no means a craft beer, it still has it place as a refreshing summer brew to enjoy.
Leinenkugel Summer Shandy
Solid choice for any summer get together, great taste with a hint of citrus.
Leinenkugel Sunset Wheat
Distinctly reminds me of Fruity Pebbles, but nonetheless is a wonderful summer beer.
Sam Adams Summer Ale
Sam Adams is known for their traditional Boston Lager, but their Summer Ale is damn good.
Hell or High Watermelon
Made with real watermelon, not much is more summer-esque than juicy watermelon in July.
Blue Moon Summer Honey
I love me some Blue Moon, so the summer brew is a no-brainer on this list.
LandShark Lager
Fun fact: LandShark is owned by Anheuser-Busch, and is more commonly know as the signature drink of Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville.
Corona
Obviously Corona had to take the number one spot. To me, there's nothing more refreshing than a cold Corona with lime on a hot summer day.
So whether you're on a sandy beach, a fishing boat, or at a pool, just remember what our dear friend Jack Nicholson said, "Beer, it's the best damn drink in the world."
Drink responsibly and never drink and drive.
Photo by Jeff Hopper on Unsplash
Perfect Weather
Photo by Julian Myles on Unsplash75 degrees and sunny, plus, no humidity. I mean do I really need to say more?
You'll get an effortless tan
Photo by Roberto Nickson on UnsplashBeing outside is inevitable when the weather is this nice, so slap on some low SPF and enjoy the perfect weather as you become a bronzed beach babe!
You can exercise with a view
Photo by Cedric Letsch on UnsplashWho said working on your summer bod has to stop when summer starts? In SoCal there are hundreds of gorgeous hiking trails in the mountains or on the cliffs overlooking the beach, so maintaining your summer bod is easy on the eyes and a lot less of a drag!
You don't have to worry about bug bites
Photo by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases on UnsplashThe likelihood of you getting bit by a bug is slim, so you don't have to worry about smelling like bug spray whenever you want to go outside.
Photo by We have outdoor concerts
Photo by Aranxa Esteve on UnsplashAt the county fair or on the beach, summertime means outdoor concerts with good music and great friends.
We live where people vacation
Photo by Jeremy Bishop on UnsplashWe're lucky enough to live in paradise and we don't take that for granted. We take advantage of our sunsets on the beach and backyard staycation without spending a pretty penny on visiting somewhere that isn't nearly as perfect as SoCal. We're pretty spoiled.
You cannot beat the beach. Believe it or not (which many people may not), New England has a long and beautiful coastline. Most of my high school summers were spent sitting on the Wall at Hampton Beach, getting sunburnt and eating Acai bowls from The Secret Spot. The Wall was the place to be both during the day and at night. We begin our days there with a KB's bagel and coffee, and end them with pizza and ice cream. It’s not a New England summer without that 4 p.m. text from someone, “Who wants to meet at the Wall tonight?” Nighttime is for Tripoli’s Pizza, the sound of waves, and wishes on shooting stars. Wednesday nights are especially important, as those are the nights that Hampton Beach sets off the weekly firework display.
File:Hampton Beach, New Hampshire - low tide - panoramio.jpg ...commons.wikimedia.org
When the summer days end, the beauty of New England does not. Summer nights are arguably the best time of day. At the end of the day, we enjoy the most beautiful sea breeze. I’ve spent so many nights wrapped in a sweatshirt on the porch, counting the fireflies lighting up the yard. This weather also makes for the perfect bonfire. If we’re not at the Wall, it’s very likely that someone will have a fire in his/her yard. If you haven’t huddled up to a fire with your best friends, then I recommend doing so this summer (just make sure someone brings the ingredients for s’mores!).
fire on fire pit during night time
Photo by Mahad Aamir on Unsplash
With the beach, comes the best seafood in the country. I’ve seen menus in other states refer to clam chowder as New England clam chowder, though it’s impossible to understand until you taste it for yourself. Down the coastline, towards Seabrook, NH and Salisbury, Massachusetts, you can find Brown’s and Markey’s. They’re competing seafood restaurants across the street from one another, equally busy on any summer night. One of the most famous ice cream places in New England, The Beach Plum, actually serves award-winning lobster rolls! Seafood is done right in New England. It’s not wasted with fancy silverware and expensive appetizers, but instead served buttery and delicious on paper plates.
Free Images : american lobster, dish, new england clam bake ...pxhere.com
After a seafood meal, ice cream is an absolute requirement. New England summers bring forth one of the world’s greatest rivalries: Lagos versus The Beach Plum. There’s limited inside seating inside both of these places, as ice cream should be eaten and enjoyed outside. The Beach Plum is generally enjoyed during the day, located directly across from North Hampton Beach. As children, we can all remember begging our parents to let us run and grab ice cream before going home. At Lago’s, we get the most refreshing taste of an old-fashioned ice cream shop. The ice cream scoopers record all orders and prices by hand, and add them up with their pencils (no calculators allowed!). It’s incredible how quickly and efficiently this is done. It’s normal to get Lago’s more than once a week, sometimes even more than once a day...the best summer days end with salty skin and sticky ice cream fingers.
vanilla flavor ice cream with chocolate syrup
Photo by Anna Bratiychuk on Unsplash
1A cruises have to be mentioned specifically and separately from everything else, as they are their own New England specialty. Whether you are home for the entire summer, or home for just one week, 1A cruises are a must. Route 1A, or Ocean Boulevard, runs all along the New England coastline. We drive down the road staring at the ocean and the mansions across from it. “Which house would you choose?” was one of my favorite games to play with my family during our drives to the beach. No one knows what the actual speed limit is on route 1A because it always driven slowly, designed as a scenic route. You can start in Rye, NH and end in Massachusetts or just drive along for a couple or minutes—it doesn’t get less impressive. Some of my most treasured memories are those spent listening to country music and gossiping with friends on our “1A cruises.”
File:Celebrity Silhouette (ship, 2011) 002.jpg - Wikimedia Commonscommons.wikimedia.org
While there are beautiful places all throughout the United States, I, along with many others, can agree that New England, undoubtedly, is the best place to be in the summer.
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