I fell in love with basketball in the second grade. We would play at recess and we had set teams that never changed and I would get smoked by Jason Pratt everyday. I’m not kidding. Every. DAY. It was belt to butt beatdown. It was a miracle when we kept it competitive, but Evan and Jason made sure Travis and I lost every time. And while I remember moments of frustration, I also treasure those moments of trying to scheme up ways on how we could steal a win during our next recess with Travis. I’d live for those moments I managed to score just a POINT on Jason.

In third grade I moved away from Merrill and switched to a smaller school at MCS. After a few recess sessions, I realized I might be the best third grader in the school at basketball. Free from the shackles of Jason Pratt, I set my sights on the NBA. Until I watched Nathan Bench and Jeremy Dzuba play, the 6th graders with elite speed and unstoppable crossovers. I knew I would never be as good as them, with all of their athletic gifts and size. And while I eventually learned the NBA was probably not realistic, I reveled in trying to take Nathan on and learn how to stop the faster guy from blowing right by me. Eventually I became the 6th grader who dominated recess. And who knows? Maybe I dashed the younger Mikey Jenkins’ or Matt Greeley’s dreams of making it to the NBA.

In 7th grade I got my first taste of real organized basketball. Playing middle school basketball for MCS. My brother was the head coach of the Jr. High and Coach Campbell the Varsity coach (We all practiced together). It’s there where I truly learned how to play basketball. Every practice we did long lay-up drills (similar to the three man weave) which required us as a team to make 20 in a row. First with the right hand, then with the dreaded left hand. It was a communally hated portion of the iconic “dirty 30” we did each and every practice. You don’t know how soul crushing it is to miss a lay-up that sets the streak back to 0 with Senior Rob Mulder looking on. I will admit, by 8th grade, I would estimate I messed up on the drill probably 3 more times for the rest of my career. I took pride in how good I was as it, and I even began to look forward to the drill EVERY practice. I recall a close game where I stole the ball and went the length of the court and finished with a LEFT handed lay-up. That was a big deal to 7th grader Mike, I looked over at Ben and Coach and they both were fighting to contain massive grins. My heart went bananas to be the fruit of their coaching labor. It was during this time where I forged my love for the strategy of the game. And an even deeper connection with my brother. We’d spend hours after practice, after games, talking strategy, talking schematics. Ben pushed me hard to be better, to look at the game from a more critical point of view. To realize how winning is often found in the margins, through repetition like long lay-up drills, through hard work and conditioning, simply wanting it more than the other team is sometimes all it takes. I think at this point it had sort of set in for me. I was never going to be the fastest or tallest or strongest guy. But I had a chance to be the smartest. And maybe the hardest working. A brother with the keys to the gym was about the best thing a 13 year old could ask for.

It’s right here where I am thinking about hitting delete and scrapping this again… but I’m going to press through this time. No matter how many times we miss, we go until we get it right. A lot like a long lay-up drill.

In 9th and 10th grade I got my first taste of Varsity basketball. I was surrounded by talents much better at the game than I was. Steve McCoy a legendary scorer, Josh McCarron a relentless forward, Brad Campbell a dynamite shooter. I wanted to be a part of it so bad, I trained and practiced my own skills almost daily. During lunch I would inhale my food and then immediately go to the gym and get shots up. I would purposely try to lock Steve up during lunch-time games of 21 in order to improve my defense. And by the end of the year, my playing time had increased ten fold. It was during this phase I found something I was genuinely good at: passing. Maybe it was from 4 years of doing the long lay-up drill? Turns out passing the width of the court while on a dead sprint had honed my talents. I wasn’t the best player on my team by a large margin, but I discovered I could get the ball to my better teammates in advantageous positions. I recall a drive and kick play where I would draw the defense in and then kick it to Brad in the corner for a wide open 3. We got so proficient at it we would call that play 5 times a game. By the end of the game, the defense was so worried about the kick out I could waltz into the paint for a layup.

My Junior year of High School was special. Our crew was so talented we breezed through the long lay-up drills with ease. We had such a good group of Seniors, with these huge personalities. And I had matured to become a more complete player, and was able to score a variety of ways (but still mostly weaseling into the paint and hitting: you guessed it, a lay-up). I was a Captain, and point guard, and a floor general. We had so many different skill sets (and egos) as players it took a long time for us to find the chemistry. Zach needed the ball on the baseline to work his magic. Jon needed to get touches early so he could get his 3 ball flowing. Joe needed to play some point guard (much to my dislike), and cutters to capitalize on his dazzling passes. Bobby needed someone to be in his corner to stop him from blowing a gasket. Travis needed to be challenged so he’d be actually excited to play. We had games where it just didn’t work. But in the last game of the year, it all came to a head. At halftime we were down big and in the locker room we all got into it with each other. But it was Coach Campbell, in all his wisdom, who said, “I’m not saying a word until you all figure it out”. Zach and I said our a little speech, and we went out there in the second half: and we dominated. When the opposing team took a timeout and we went back to the huddle, I told Coach we were ready for him to join back with us. He stood up with a smile ear to ear and just gave us that encouragement we all longed to hear. We ended up winning that third place game, and it goes down as my favorite basketball game I have ever played. We all got a little more respect for our teammates after that game. We all grew a little closer. It took all season but we all started playing like a true team (if only for that one, magical half).

My Senior year was a season of disappointments. When Joe went down with an ACL tear our team lacked the upperclassmen needed to be competitive. I was convinced, that Senior Mike was all we needed to be good. But we failed to string together wins all season. I don’t blame our Freshmen and Sophomores at all. I wouldn’t have been ready to do what they were asked to do either. I do blame myself for a lot though. As a Senior I spent most of the season trying to be a player I was not. I forgot about the joy of passing, I lost the joy in competition, and I grew to become selfish. I think in my head I always figured it would be my time to become the “Steve” or the “Stewie” or the “Zach” of my team. I was the Senior, I had to score all the points. I wasn’t the captain to the team that previous captains were to me. I let my team down in that regard. I spent the back half of that season bitter about our results, bemoaning that the underclassman couldn’t even finish the “stupid”, and “useless” long lay-up drill. During one particularly rough practice I recall being the one that missed a crucial lay-up to complete the drill, and Coach Campbell deservedly let me hear it. I sulked for the rest of practice. I WASTED one of my last organized sports practice SULKING. The last two weeks of that season were so horrible for me personally (both on and off the court). I walked off the court my Senior year feeling sadness and anger and remorse. My love of basketball faded. I wasn’t good enough to play in college, I wasn’t even good enough to lead my team to post season success. I loved basketball, why didn’t it love me back? I learned how to deal with adversity a lot that season, but I feel like ultimately, adversity won. I sat in the locker room after our final game and I cried my heart out. My body, my heart, my soul, it felt like it had betrayed me. I thought I was done with the game of basketball for good.

But as God would have it, three years later I would return to that gym I had spent so many years practicing long lay-ups in. I was given the opportunity to coach Varsity basketball at MCS. And with that, the path to redemption sat plainly before me. I was able to be the captain, (now coach) to a group of young men where I had previously failed. And it was there, I remembered basketball had loved me all along. You get out of it what you put into it, and as Coach I spent most of my time approaching the game with true earnestness and enthusiasm. Those eight years were some of the most fulfilling times I have spent with the game. It bolstered me physically, spiritually, and mentally each and every season. I could write a thousand stories about my time coaching. But each and every story is so special to me, I would feel bad detailing only a few of them. However, one of the core tenants of my coaching philosophy carried over from playing days: long lay-up drills (and the return of the dirty 30). We did it until we hit 20 in a row on both sides or puked (sometimes both). I finally learned why Coach Campbell made us do long lay-ups every single practice. Besides the obvious practical skills it honed, the drill was the ultimate measure of consistency. Completing the drill is genuinely, not hard. But to start every practice where the whole unit, from the 7th graders to Seniors all had to perform together, mmm that was a stroke of genius from coach. It was a way to set the tone for the practice, and our philosophy as a team. I expect us to do the little things correct, I expect us to focus on the mundane, I expect us to win in the margins. That stinking drill was teaching a lot more than lay-ups.

I coached for 8 years until the birth of my children forced me to walk away from coaching. And while my time coaching still left me with plenty of regrets, this time I was able to walk away from the game with my head held high. Feeling nothing but appreciation for the game that had given me so much. Of course, stepping off that court for the last time was bitter sweet. But this time, much more sweet than bitter. Finally my story of basketball had an ending I was proud of.

Except that wasn’t the end. Just a year after retiring from coaching an idea was born. A local outdoor basketball league for average joes like myself. And since then it has grown from it’s humble roots to a 40-man league. And while the accomplishments of The Slab League have been boasted by me to anyone that will listen, I have even more to say now. And it’s what I learned from the game through this league. The second greatest part about basketball as a sport is how your individuality can shine on the court. I find players who are rich in humility and generosity tend to be the best passers. I find guys who are creative and free-spirited in life to be the best ball handlers. I find those who are calculating and analytical become the best shooters. And those who are tough in mind and body become the most ferocious rebounders. Who you are as a person translates to who you are as a hooper, I genuinely believe that. But the greatest thing about basketball? Is that you have to find a way to make all those attributes blend in with your team. We’ve run 10+ seasons of The Slab since 2019. The team that ends up winning it all is never the team with the most talent on paper, but instead the team that most plays like a team. When the artist, the accountant, the tough guy, and the jokester find a way to make it all fit together: That’s special. That’s the sport I love. Just this summer I was able to claim my first Slab Championship since season 1. My teammates were a player I used to coach (now one of my closest friends), my cousin’s son whom I have cherished getting to compete with, and a guy I never would’ve met if not for The Slab. The court might be too short to be doing the long lay-up drills anymore, but you can bet when I’m out there practicing and miss a lay-up, I can still see Mulder’s face, or hear Campbell’s voice, or feel my brother’s calming hand. My basketball heritage shaped me into the player I am today, from Grandpa Stan’s passing to my brother’s post footwork, I am an amalgamation of those who came before me. And I have lent a portion of that to those whom I’ve had the pleasure to coach.

I’m so thankful for this sport and those who have sacrificed so much to allow me to enjoy it. My parents’ sacrifice to send me to a private school which was likely my only opportunity to play organized basketball. Jayme Hazen and Bob Sells willingness to take a risk as a super young basketball coach. Or the people who have rallied around me to make The Slab what it is today. Or my wife who shoulders the parenting load for my silly league, because she knows how much I love it. One day I will lace it up for the last time, but God willing I still feel like I am long ways from the day. I’ve got a few more chapters in this letter left to write, and a few more long lay-up drills to finish.

Signed,
#5

Friday October 10th: Mid-level disappointment
Tigers lose in winner take-all match against the Mariners in the playoffs: You just checked and your Kohl’s Cash expired YESTERDAY.
Sure, you didn’t have a lot of expectations in the first place. But you suddenly had a big interest in doing some shopping and you excitedly check your coupon to make sure you are good to go. And during this brief moment in time you are convincing yourself that joy is sure to follow. But after 15 long innings and one painfully slow loading kohlscash.com you are only met with soul crushing disappointment. Now you are questioning if it was even worth getting that excited in the first place, and how it’s humanly possible to lose both Skubal games your wrist scrunchy that many times.

Saturday October 11th: Just another mild disappointment
Ohio State wipes the floor with another decent Big 10 team to remind the rest of the conference how far behind we are: Amazon package is delayed.
If the stupid app had just told me it was going to take 4 days to get here instead of 2 I wouldn’t have been mad. But instead I check on it like every hour and all seems fine until its actually supposed to be here and all of the sudden it’s delayed? WAS IT DELAYED AN HOUR AGO? OR WAS IT NEVER GOING TO BE HERE? HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE ACTUALLY TAKE FOR SOMETHING TO ARRIVE FROM MONEE, ILLINOIS? I was convinced this freshman QB and this punchable face coach was going to take at least a HALF step back! Oh sure, my neighbor gets his package! And here I am stuck with the freshman QB who somehow might not be very good? While theirs gets to throw to Jeremiah Smith and look amazing!?!? There is NO JUSTICE in the shipping industry, at least not in this NIL era we find ourselves in.

Saturday October 11th: A recurring disappointment
Penn State loses to pitiful Northwestern team and then gets so embarrassed they fire their coach: The toilet seat is up, again.
Look personally for me Penn State losing is not a disappointment at all. But I can only imagine how fans of the program must be feeling. So much hope, ranked #1 just three weeks ago. But alas, Penn State might be doomed to a life of the toilet seat being stuck in the up position. And sure, you could divorce fire your coach, but there is no promises the next guy that comes along will be any better. Is it honestly too much to ask to put the seat down and win just a COUPLE of top 10 games? Oh? It’s get worse? Your going to start losing bottom 10 games and just pee in the sink? Divorce it is.

Saturday October 11th: I had so much hope and now I’m severely disappointed
Michigan gets owned by USC in primetime: The number on the scale after a very healthy week.
This week will be different, things are changing for the better for sure. I have so much hope and optimism about how things are going for us and that this weigh in is going to go great! Oh, what’s that? We GAINED a pound? We got absolutely crushed by 18 points? What is the point? Why do I get so invested if it isn’t going to make a dang difference? Was I just lying to myself the whole time? This is a soul crushing level of defeat and I am going to choose to be annoyed by it for at least the next 48 hours. A little bit of ice cream now to help numb the pain, and by Monday I’ll be back on the horse, but for now: a little bit of wallowing.

Sunday October 12th: The one good thing I had going just went up in smoke
Detroit Lions get dismantled by the Chiefs in primetime to cap off a HORRIBLE weekend of sports fandom: You sent your husband out to get one ingredient and he somehow screws that up.
You’ve already navigated a weekend full of disappointments. Your messy bun turns out just looked like a mess. Your favorite leggings were dirty and your outfit needed a cardigan and you just couldn’t find the right one. Your son rolled his eyes when you asked for a cuddle and your nails JUST starting looking good and you chipped one. All that is fine, you’ve got a ROCKIN’ dinner ready and you just need that Parmesan Reggiano to finish it off. And he brings back Mozzarella. Seriously Lions? Mozzarella? Do I need to FaceTime you when you get to Aldi’s next time to make sure you follow literally the one thing I asked of you? I blame your mom the refs. The dish is called PARMESAN-CRUSTED CHICKEN. Now the kids won’t even eat it and I’m forced 27 camera shots of The Showgirl (who appears to have a pretty easy life, if you ask me) while I listen to Collinsworth gush over Patrick Mahomes. I JUST needed you to beat the Chiefs and salvage my weekend and now I am going to let the sun set on my wrath and punch Juju Smith-Schuster.

Casual Reminder: This post is not misogynistic.

The GRITTY Tigers, survive the wildcard against their division rival Guardians. They sneak their way into the final 8 and now have to face off against a clearly better roster in the Seattle Mariners. And while it was easy to root against the team from Ohio and cheer on my Tigers, I found it a bit harder to find reasons to dislike the Mariners. So as I am watching, I am inventing fake back stories about my opponents in order to generate disdain. Kind of like a movie where the bad guy is way cooler than the good guy but you have to keep reminding yourself that he did in fact, kill the Younglings.

Eugenio Suarez just gets in the batter’s box and opens his hips up toward the pitcher and stares him down while looking like the devil played by Peter Stormare in Constantine. In my head he’s the Captain of this evil Mariners crew. His first mate is clearly Josh Naylor, whom all the shipmates despise, he steals extra rations from the crew and is a jerk to everyone when he knows the Captain isn’t watching. George Kirby looks like Timothee Chalamet, so that makes him evil Muad’Dib. They call Cal Raleigh Big Dumper not because of his impressive rear end but because he’s in charge of all the toxic waste the Mariners dump into the Pacific Ocean. Finally Speier, the heinous Viking-Varaint of the Mariners executes the truly despicable stuff like pitching no hit, 3-up 3-down innings against the Tigers every stinking time.

MEANWHILE. The underdogs, the often forgotten, the overlooked, the TIGERS. Down 1-0 in the top of the 5th. Turn to this man. Kerry Jesus-was-a-Carpenter as he faced off against Muad’Dib with one man on.

And Kerry blasts a homer all the way to Arrakis. Carpenter is now 5 for 11 against Atredis Kirby with 5 homeruns. That is Top 10 teams vs. James Franklin level of domination. I’m celebrating in my basement, I’m fist pumping, I am texting my friends who I know watch baseball (all 3 of them). An inning later I am promptly back to chewing on my nails after the Mariners even it back up. Thankfully, a baserunning error from the Mariners (almost as bad as fumbling your own INT, and then punting into the endzone Cardinals…) allows the Tigers to limit the damage. And the game is dead locked as it goes to extra innings. The Tigers empty the clip on their bullpen. They use a guy who only throws changeups for an inning (kind of like the ending of Rookie of the Year: Float it!)? They use two different guys with the last name Montero. They use… very little hitting… and Smilin’ Zach McKinstry gets the RBI to steal Game 1 in Seattle.

Game 2 was just a different vibe though. Even though the box score says it was close it never really felt like the Tigers had an offense that could overcome even a one run deficit. Much like the Michigan vs. Wisconsin game, or the Lions vs. Cincinnati game, the better team didn’t stomp but they were in control wire to wire. When a glimmer of hope presented itself in the top of the 8th, the Mariners were like “oh yeah lets score more” and did so in the bottom of the 8th. I barely had enough time to convince myself we were going to steal win. And of course I didn’t write a fun recap to game 2 but you have no idea how long it took me to get 4 faces into one picture onto the blog.

And now we head to game 3 for a 4p.m. start in Detroit Tuesday. Playoff baseball at work you say? Count me in. And while the Mariners appear to me like the better team, I don’t care one iota. The Patriots can beat the Bills, the Broncos can beat the Eagles, and Colts can be by far the best team in the NFC South, so dangit the Tigers can do this. Maybe this week instead of convincing yourself that Indiana vs. Oregon is going to be a great game, you flip on some baseball (AT WORK), and find it as thrilling as I do. Maybe you discover the smell in your bedroom is not your dog’s digestion issues but rather a symptom of having your windows open and some “free spirited” neighbors like I did too? If the Gamenotes turn into a baseball recap with some subtle NFL references sprinkled within, then anything can happen.

If the Pistons have a good start to the year, I am going to annoy you guys so much.

Signing off,
-A lifelong Tigers fan, I swear! _{(I bought a hat yesterday.)}

I was recently told that making a list makes me 90% more likely to complete the tasks on said list. I am going to push back on that. First of all, the reason people who make lists get more stuff done is because they are the annoying type of people to make lists in the first place. The only thing the list does for me is create shame. Do you really want shame to be the motivating factor in my life? SELF INFLICTED SHAME??? They’ve got the stat all wrong. People who are 90% more likely to get things done are 100% of the people who think making a list will solve all your problems. Claiming the list reduces your mental bandwidth is categorically false, do you how much bandwidth lists consume from me? First of all, every time I see a list I have to read the entire list every time. Secondly, I have to remember to check the list, and remember where the list is, so I can look at the list full of things I am not going to do. Finally, I could’ve spent time just doing the thing and instead of list-i-fying it, so now I’m 100% more likely to have wasted my time making a list I will ultimately do or not do, completely independent of whether the list exists or not. But just in case:

1. Write Gamenotes Weekly
2. Win Lottery
3. Make less lists

Checkmate, you type-A sicko normies.

Penn State loses to Oregon 24-30 in 2OT in their annual White Out Game:
1. Drew Allar is Tim Tebow with no aura. And by the way Tebow was mostly aura, and not much else.
2. The only thing the White Out should’ve been used on is all the pass plays on the Penn State Call sheet.
3. Penn State actually performed admirably considering it was Moore vs. Allar.
4. It was an immediate jersey win for the Ducks, as soon as I flipped the game on, I knew how this was going to end. The old heads will say, “I like the classic Penn State jersey, it hasn’t changed since the beginning and that’s admirable.” You know what else Penn State used to do? Win big games. (IDK if that’s even true.) I am SUCKER for the metallic on matte black.
5. Pac12 after dark is alive and well and it’s a thrill that is has come to my conference.
6. Jokes aside, what a game. And I do feel a little bad for Penn State fans, they went through all the range of emotions in this game from absolute despair to the “I think we are actually going to do this.” All within 10 minutes, which can be quite shocking. Especially when it violently jerks you finally back to the absolute despair. It’s like a getting a fake lotto ticket as a gift.

Tennessee escapes 41 – 34 over MS State.
1. Have to be envious of fans of the Volunteers, it does not matter who they play, every game is a wild ride.
2. It was classic trap game before the trap games, Arkansas fires their coach, and Tennessee plays them next. I’ll call it now 49-45 Tennessee.
3. I am genuinely looking forward to Oklahoma vs. Tennessee November 1st, who says conference realignment isn’t good for football? (Besides, IDK, everyone.)

Alabama 24 – Georgia 21
1. Was rooting for the meteor but this was the second best option.
2. Kirby Smart says he doesn’t “lose sleep” over his 1-7 record against Alabama. Which can only lead us to believe that Kirby does not sleep and therefore has no sleep to lose.
3. Kirby brought fire to the mortals of Georgia but at the cost of having an eagle eat his liver daily losing to Alabama yearly. (I’ve been playing a lot of Hades 2, alright?)
4. Georgia joins Alabama and Florida State and Penn State (and hopefully Ohio State) as very good teams who definitely can be beat.

Michigan falls in straight sets to Michigan State Saturday
1. I’ve got the multi-view rocking, hate watching both Penn State and Georgia, but what keeps capturing my eyes on third screen you might ask? Michigan State’s elite jerseys.
2. Women’s college volleyball is respectfully the most fun version of the sport to watch. Longer rallies, a bit more strategy, and insane displays of athleticism.
3. It easier for me to set aside my pride that these ladies would absolutely smoke me in this sport, because I struggle to return a pass when just bumping the ball around in the yard and yet lie to myself that I’d be good at if I just played more.

Texas A&M and Indiana win narrowly.
1. If you want to be a big time top 15 team you really need to blow out your inferior opponents like, *checks notes* Vanderbilt and Iowa State.
2. Is it my preconceived biases that are telling me not to take these teams seriously? Or is it possibly just my eyes?

Join me as I transition to Youtube style content where I give an in-depth breakdown of this classic Big 10 match-up: UCLA vs. Northwestern.

Lions: 34 – Browns: Browns
1. Browns.
2. The Lions are actually good and every can calm themselves down that maybe the guy who changed the culture (Dan) is still the dude who changed the culture.
3. We beat bad teams, we show up in big games (Ravens), we do really smart stuff. (See the Amon-Ra 1st down play to seal the game against the Ravens.)
4. We have a pretty great gauntlet coming with Chiefs, Commanders, Bucs, Vikings on the horizon. Just chill out if we lose 1 or 2 of them okay?
5. Browns.

Packers 40 – Cowboys 40 – Jerry Jones camera time: 40 minutes
1. Stop acting like one game’s results will validate a trade for either team. So stupid.
2. These guys just had to go into OT so I would wake up tired today and miss Monday morning basketball huh?
3. That Dak heave in OT was pretty awesome.

NFL Parity is just awesome, what do we even actually know?
1. The Eagles and Bills are good.
2. The Saints and Panthers are bad.
3. Everything else is any given Sunday. What a great league.

Ryder Cup was awesome
1. More: “You don’t need a button to choke.” and less: “Freedom.” Please. Rory is so cool man, why am I supposed to hate him again?
2. As a relative idiot to golf all this talk about how the US team HAD to have this point and HAD to make this shot Thurs-Sat. But… they didn’t? It was all for the taking still Sunday. I guess its just calling game 4 a “must-win” when you are down 2-1 in a 4 game series.
3. The other guys’ team is just more likable than yours is a tough spot to be in. Almost 0 likable U.S. guys. If you like Scheffler well good for you, I’m sure the crossword gets you going and you sometimes drink a second coffee at night when Gutfeld! is on.

Tigers
1. I’m told it’s not like the NFL where if you make it in the playoffs that is all that really matters and anything can happen here. But… why not? Why does the last month of results erase a season of success?
2. Playoff baseball is fun and playoff baseball at work is even more fun.
3. I’m out on editing, maybe I should add proof-reading to the list…. I’ll do it tomorrow.

That is it for this week. Thanks to some of my friends kindly requesting their return and thanks to College Football for finally giving us some intrigue! I’ll see you next week! …Likely… hopefully…

A year ago I wrote a post predicting Baldur’s Gate 3 to be something special. And I gotta say, I nailed it. BG3 turned out to be my favorite game of the year, and it wasn’t close. Surpassing even my lofty expectations from the Beta and vaulting into the pantheons as one of the GOATs. And while my previous post laments the video game industry’s inability to create memorable games of late, I’m happy to report; it still can be done. And while I had my sights set on BG3 long before it ever released, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was instead something that sneaked up on me instead. I have to admit, I saw a trailer for it a couple of months ago and was very encouraged, good enough to put it on my Steam wishlist with 20 other games. It looked mysterious, fresh, unique, and a type of game I’d really enjoy. And when it was announced it was coming to Xbox Gamepass I was overjoyed. I could try this game for free without taking a risk on this unknown developer and unique style of game without getting financially invested.

Expedition 33 proceeded to surpass every expectation I’ve ever had for a game. I consider it to be the greatest game I’ve ever played. So what can I say about this game that hasn’t already been lauded by every review outlet imaginable. At one point it was the highest reviewed game in history, (well deserved) so what am I going to say? Game is amazing, story is complex, soundtrack unforgettable, writing is top tier, combat is nuanced and fresh, it doesn’t overstay it’s welcome, it has characters you’ll actually care about, it’s pacing is remarkable, and it’s simply a joy to look at? Yeah. But of course, you’ll have another reason to not pick it up, and I am going to try to argue those points as well. Spoiler Free!

Turn Based Combat is not for me.
Well this point certainly doesn’t connect for me. Since I love just about anything turn based from Pokémon to Chess, I can understand if you’re more of a Halo guy why turn based in a vacuum is a turn off for you. But let me tell you, this is an action game. Every attack from your opponent can be dodged or even better, parried. Requiring Sekiro like precision to prevent the baddie from wiping your team in just one swing. I’ve spent 30 minutes on a single encounter mastering the ebb and flow of an enemies complex attack patterns. All while hammering out my own offensive strategy all while constantly analyzing my own team composition. Turns move quickly, the pace at times is frenetic, I am constantly yelling at myself to “lock-in”. Something I’ve never said while playing Pokémon, except when fighting Wally.

Whoa that sounds a like a lot, I’m not sure if I am that serious of a gamer.
The game has an expertly crafted difficulty settings, from “you will begin to loathe the music of the game over screen” to “I pressed three buttons and beat the boss”. It’s been tested, with one player beating the game without dodging or parrying once. Proving you don’t need to have gamer reflexes to progress in the game. I settled on Medium, earning myself plenty of rematches against opponents that wipe the floor with me, but all the while feeling intense sense of satisfaction after parrying an intense combo from the enemy. Just watch this for 10 seconds and let me tell you the joy I experienced after finally hitting this parry string. Ecstasy, relief, elation, adrenaline, and glee.

I’m more of a hipster gamer. This is getting too much hype.
There is a time to doubt the hype in the gaming industry for sure. Games propped up by being their 8th installation of a yearly beloved franchise, you should doubt that hype. Games overmarketed, or another game in an already saturated genre, you should doubt the hype there too. But this game is getting hype almost exclusively for being the amazing product that is. It is NOT another battle royale. It is not a REMASTER. It is NOT made by EA! This is the first game from studio Sandfall Interactive. The hype it has received is based on merit alone, no big names to place on the cover. A French(!) studio with a lead writer they hired on Reddit and a composer they found on Soundcloud. It’s astounding that the game is good, let alone this absurdly good. And you can only have a product this good when it is made by people who love what they do.

I think I’ve hung up my controller for good.
I get it, the gaming industry hasn’t exactly done us 30+ gamers a lot of favors recently. From battlepasses to overwhelming user interfaces, I have logged on to the next big thing a number of times only for it to be my first and last play session. I’ve felt at times that games had pass me by in some sense too. But aren’t you still searching for that next great book? Or how about the TV series you want to sink your teeth into? Expedition 33’s story is so gripping, and the game is so accessible, I have confidence that you’ll be counting the moments until you can log back in and experience what this game has to offer. With a compelling 45 minute prologue that pulls you in better than the exploits of Privet drive, and a world filled with as much magic and mystery as Westeros, and enough story twists to make Mr. Shyamalan blush. This game is so much more than a game, it is an experience. It is art. It is unmissable media akin to Avengers: Endgame or Graduation.

Is it really Art mike? Are you really doing this?
Yes I am.

I haven’t played a single player game in ages.
I toe the line of single player and multiplayer games myself. Playing much more League than Mass Effect, but I can confidently say I enjoy both. And look, the great RPGs of my generation sit unfinished in my steam library like a Scarlet Letter. GTA, the Witcher 3, and Fire Emblem Engage stare at me like neglected puppies. And I often ask myself, why have I not finished these game? And often the answer is simple, too much to do. Too much to do in the game, too much to do in life. But Clair Obscur’s pacing is phenomenal. Moving from gripping story beat to thrilling set piece seamlessly, my time with this game has flown by. And while I could’ve completed the main story in 30 hours and been done with it. I’ve now spent 50+ enjoying every nook and cranny it has to offer. Without even considering NG+. The game is “on-the-rails” meaning there isn’t much to do off the beaten path, rewarding you when you do explore, but never punishing you for staying the course. I rarely felt overwhelmed by what to do next or what path to take.

Whoa! “On-the-rails” scares me a bit too.
Rest assured, the bones of this games combat are delightfully rich. With 6 different character’s skills trees to customize. And hundreds of “modifiers” to apply to your builds. Each character you can chisel into the image of your own desire. I’ve customized the party’s mage “Lune” to use a lightning storm effect that strikes every time her ally does damage. I often combo that with the card throwing “Sciel” who has attacks that can hit several times in one turn. Causing Lightning to strike and cards to smatter with every satisfying hit. Meanwhile my Warrior is a master of “breaking” his opponents, leaving them vulnerable to damage and unable to act. I follow that up with his best friend who has an ultimate attack that does more damage to stunned enemies, and these two get along better in combat then they do outside of the game. (Minor Act 2 spoilers link.)

I don’t have the money.
Shoot I’ll buy it for you. But first it’s on gamepass. If you are on PC or Xbox you can try it for 14 days for $1.

I don’t fit the target audience.
I pound my chest about my own opinion regularly. All the time really. I genuinely have the belief that if you just tried whatever it is I am selling, you will love it. And if you don’t love it, well you just don’t get it and should probably reevaluate your life choices. But look, I’ve been peddling this game to my circle of friends and I have a 100% hit rate. I’m serious, 100%. Anyone who played one minute of this game from my recommendation has either beat it or is well on their way. The MMO guy beat it in a week. The Switch gamer keep sending me screenshots of his combat logs. The retired Rocket League pro is in love with it. The variety multiplayer gamer keeps sending me his (hilariously) incorrect theories on where the story is going. The 3 games in my steam library girl now has 4. The Elden Ring only guy is already well on his way through NG+. The washed up gamer said his wife just sits on the couch and watches him play.

Like I said at the beginning, I can’t say anything that hasn’t already been said about this game. But if you had the courage to read yet another one of my blog posts, I implore you to have the courage to try this game out. It had me questioning myself about how I treat other people. It delivered fist pumping, basement dancing euphoria. It made me sob heavy big man tears. It sunk it’s hooks into me fast, took me on a roller coaster, and then stuck the landing. It made me feel like a kid opening a brand new “mom-bought” PS1 game again, and then hit me with visuals that made me feel like we are in the next-gen. I genuinely doubt another game with ever reach this level ever again.

Okay Mike we get it.
If you are closing this window without a plan to play this game, you genuinely DON’T get it.

Dillon Compton / Forward 6′ 3″
PPG: 23.2
RPG: 14.11
APG: 3.66
S+B: 2.95
Career Accolades: 3rd Place MVP Spring ’24 – 3x 2nd Place Finishes

The three time silver medalist, with an eye on his first Gold. There is no doubt that with Dillon “The Solution” Compton anchoring your team, wins are on the horizon. Taking the league by storm as a 2nd round pick (lol, poor scouting) in the Spring ’24 season, Dillon has seen the podium in three of his four seasons so far. And it’s no surprise, Dillon can influence the game from rim to rim. He can score, board, pass, or defend his way into contention of the MVP race each and every season, depending on what his team desires from him.
Last season on The Stampede, he assumed the humble role of offensive rebounder and set-up man from the top of the key. But we’ve seen him be a dominant back to the basket scorer and willing shooter from three. A true stretch 5, maybe the only one in the League, Dillon’s wingspan, defensive energy, and high motor all but guarantees team success.
It’s hard to detail all the things Dillon does so well because he wears so many hats during a game. Dillon is at his best when he hits a blend of all those factors. He’s willing to take, and make, contested threes off the dribble. But he’s just as likely to put his butt under the basket and use his verticality to finish in the paint. From the post or off the dribble drive on a Luca-like slow-euro.
His signature post move is to establish deep position, plant his defender under the rim, and while he’s punishing you physically he takes a moment to look over his shoulder to identify just how buried you are, and triangulate his lay-in at the rim. If you manage to muster the strength of 300 Spartans, and wall him off from getting in close, bad news: He’s got lightning fast foot-work and an excellent handle. He can spin baseline like a Beyblade just as you were cementing your feet into the floor to withstand the next battering. Leaving you feeling silly and his onlookers impressed.

Combine all that talent offensively, and mix it with his defensive prowess. A big who can guard any post player, but who equally relishes the opportunity to shut down a fleet-footed guard. You’ll find yourself with more questions than answers putting him in the Pick and Roll, as his length and agility means driving past him like you might other bigs is out of the question. Off the ball he is equally menacing, willing to rise up and volleyball spike would be slashers with ferocity. (Wait, does he do that just to me?!? What the Heck Dillon.) He also uses feints defensively more than any player in the league. He’ll pretend to dart in to go for a steal, or take an exaggerated gather as you approach the rim, which is enough for you to pass out. (I am talking like actually pass out, it’s scary.)

Dillon’s difference can be defined with his impressive stats, but in other ways is impossible to quantify because of just how involved he is during a game. Always engaged, he’s got a nose for the ball, a top-tier rebounder, passer, scorer, defender. He just make winning plays. And while he may have been joking in the discord by naming himself “The Solution”, the moniker fits perfectly. He will solve the problem your team is having by analyzing the data and making the correct adjustments. He’s this good of a player, and he might be an even better person. Adding the PERFECT gif when bantering on discord, fixing my spreadsheet stats and adding depth with team settings, and being a genuinely uplifting guy. One of my life’s biggest regrets was getting mad at him during a game of pick-up like a child because he was clamping me up (The Lord is still working on me). Salute to this soon-to-be Father of 2.

He approaches the Winter 25 season as a well-deserved captain. Now with the chance to form a team exactly how he see’s fit, and I can’t wait to see what Solution he wants to be this season.
(Insert the perfect GIF for a sign-off here, because that’s what Dillon would do.)

Gleeful bliss upon catching my pass on the first try. You caught it, froze, spun around at Lennox did a little “na-na-a-boo-boo” at us both and danced before swapping spots. You gave Lennox some white-hot rage upon both of you springing onto a wayward pass and getting muscled off the ball. You cleverly devised a way to pass it off the ceiling to make the ball rocket down past the “monkey” which caused you to cackle with delight. You dove on a ball and laid on top of it turtle style refusing to play further until the terms for “winning” were discussed. And finally you expressed a deep, despondent, turmoil upon learning it was time to be done. (Followed by more joyful giggling when I offered some cartoons before bed).

A quick anecdote, I had drawn the short straw when parent teacher conferences came around for school, had to go by myself. I was a little nervous about what your new teacher would have to say. Your teacher and I sat down and I prepared to hear it all… She SANG your praises. Bennet is a great leader, a friend to all, a shining example, she can do anything she puts her mind to. She’s quiet when we need her to be (that was a real shock), she’s attentive, she always wants to learn (that was no surprise). I felt a little ashamed about how I felt heading into it. Of course my baby is a rockstar! Bennet does everything to an 10, cranked up to the max. I’m glad to learn your taking school to a ten. You also do friendship to a 10, watching you at Ellie’s birthday party was a delight. You guys had your arms around each other the whole time, and when the cake came out…. Ellie stuck her finger it it, and put it in your mouth…

So WHY did you SCREAM when you had jelly on your finger and you couldn’t find a napkin that I said “lick it”. So when you refused, I licked it instead. YOU went BEZERK. Disgusted to a 10. You didn’t talk to me for an hour.

The big development this year was seeing your strategical side come to life. From Mancala to a Bitsy, I love watching you wrap your brain around something and grasp it quickly. Developing strategy on top of understanding to master games and concepts on the fly. You work the TV remote like a seasoned vet (oops, my bad) and get frustrated fast when you can’t find my ships in battleship.

Bennet you are a beacon of laughter and joy, and you make every day so fun.

I Love You,
Daddy

On a scale from 1 to Collectible Card Games, this is definitely Riot’s new Project K. I get geeked looking at just about any card game, from Lorcana to Magic to Pokemon. NFL Red vs. Blue? I get hyped and excited for just about every possible iteration. But this one, not this one, it’s a shame one of the teams have to win and I will just be rooting for the failure of both of them. Riot you already had a card game and it was called Legends of Runeterra and it was perfect. If you can’t beat Hearthstone then you certainly can’t beat Magic the Gathering. As a Lions fan I don’t want to see the Packers ever win, but I think the Eagles pose the biggest threat to my Super Bowl aspirations. The enemy of my enemy is my friend, but the enemy of my enemy of my enemy is just a really big enemy. I hope the Packers win but look awful the whole game. And I hope Project K flops harder than Jets’ season. Yes I am aware this was a horrible “mass appeal” opener to the post, hang in there. Eagles 27 – Packers 14

On a scale from 1 to female actresses, I rank this a Hailee Steinfeld. I don’t think we should overlook this game. You won’t see many playoff projections with either of these teams in the Championships, much like you won’t see Steinfeld topping the list of most talented actresses. But wait, why aren’t we? Bucs and Commanders (Is that their name? Is Hailee going to take Josh Allen’s name?) at one point in the season they were two of the hottest teams in NFL. A ton of points are going to get scored, Baker and Daniels are two of the most exciting QBs in the NFL! Face it. Look at the facts. She can sing, she can act, she’s a tremendous voice actress too (see Vi, from Arcane) she is tremendous in everything she appears in, and SHE WAS THE CHILD ACTRESS FROM TRUE GRIT 2010?!? Don’t sleep on Hailee or these teams, they keep cranking out hits. Bucs 42 – Commanders 35

On a scale from 1 to Retailers, I place this (bias included) as Costco. Sure Stafford moved on, and my membership is expired. Sure you might be a Sam’s Darnold Club guy yourself. But you can’t deny that Costco is the GOAT. Give me $1.50 hot dog and more white-chocolate covered pretzels for $7.49 then I can consume in a year, I am locked in for this game. The NFC North intrigue, my Stafford fandom, and of course, our future opponent for round 2. I’m locked in for this game. Who do I want to win as a Lions fan? I think the Vikings womping we gave them was legit, and I’d like the opportunity to prove it once again. Vikings 31 – Rams 27

On a scale from 1 to shows my wife watches and therefore I watch, I rank this Glee. I am so invested and I can’t figure out why. Do I want to see Harbaugh beat Stroud again? Does Finn think she can really get pragnant like that?? Will Harbaugh or Rachel break out into song suddenly during this interview??? I think the Chargers have a real chance to beat the Chiefs in a rematch so I am rooting for them. So Don’t Stop Believin’ in this Chargers squad just yet, they may Faithfully pull through for us once again. (That’s right, that’s a Season 1 Finale Glee reference I am expecting you to appreciate. I’ll give it to you Any Way You Want It.(HOLY CRAP A REFERNCE INSIDE OF A REFERENCE. (inside of a parentheses))) Chargers 28 – Texans 14

On a scale from 1 to Wordle inspired spin off games I rank this a Worldle. Sure guessing the country based on it’s outline in 6 guesses is an exercise in futility. (Is today… Tennessee?) I’m expecting a slaughter, that’s what makes it fun. The Steelers do not inspire confidence and the Ravens are the best 3 seed I can think of in recent memory. But if Steelers can make it a game? If I can get 90% by guessing Chad for the 8th consecutive day? Oh boy, look out, Lamar and the Ivory Coast, I’m coming for you. (This is a good joke if we can accept the Ivory Coast as an alternate name for Baltimore, Ravens are a purple color and on a coast?? Just googled Ivory, turns out that color is not purplish, I am leaving the joke in. I am relieved to report Baltimore is kind of on a coast, however.) Look I’m selfish, I really want it to be Italy today, and I really want a Lamar vs Allen match-up. Ravens are squarely on the list of “teams that might score 50+ versus the Lions”. So it’d be nice to see me win one here.
Ravens 35 – Steelers 17

On a scale from 1 to things from History that make no sense, I rank this match a Fall of the Roman Empire. Look upsets happen. Surely I am going to be surprised by something that happens in the playoffs. And as I am reading this history book I’m like dang the Romans have a commanding advantage here. So I am eyeing an upset here, the unsung Broncos, lead by still-shocking-me-every-time-he-plays-well Bo “Odoacer” Nix. And while trying to untie the Gordian Knot of the Bills’ unstoppable offense, I think Sean Payton over Sean McDermott is the sword we’ve all been looking for. Broncos 28 – Bills 27

I am saddened that you are 1/3 of the way from me being critically useful to you. But I am confident that when that time is up, your Mother and I will be so pleased with what you have become. And we won’t measure that in achievements, in grades, or wealth. But rather in the person that you are, those wonderful attributes still shining bright, and your heart still set on Christ.

It was a year with a lot of development from us both. As a Father I realized I needed to let go of the “plans” I had for my children. If that means you want to do gymnastics instead of t-ball, it’s about time I get on board with it. I spent the last two weeks off work because of Christmas break and I enjoyed every single minute of it with you. But the thing that shocked me most was how much I was learning about you.

I was constantly surprised by your reaction to things, or your response to questions. Which made me some sort of grief momentarily, how much of you do I not really know? But then I was reminded how things change so quickly for you at this age. According to you your taste buds change like everyday! I shouldn’t be surprised to see your mind changing on likes and dislikes.

If you are reading this some time in the future, which I of course dream you will. I hope it fills you with Joy, it reminds you how much I love you. I’ve read Matthew 18:3 plenty of times, “…unless you turn and become like Children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” When I see you, I see the Kingdom. I see someone who cares for every human they see, I see a girl with a heart so full of love she can’t help but let it pour out on to everyone she encounters. A heart of humility and compassion, someone who looks at someone else and sees them as God’s creation. Worthy of love, worthy of your time, worthy of your attention. I want to be more like you, I want everyone to know how much they mean to me, how much they mean to God.

You want to be a doctor, a vet, a scientist, and a Mom. And I can’t help but feel like you are destined for something like that already! Helping others, loving others, changing the hearts and minds of those around you. You burn so bright, you are like the sun that lights my sky. I get reminded of that daily.

Love You,
Daddy

(How many years before I am not Daddy anymore?)
*sigh*

A lot of people are going to get really excited, because picking Notre Dame to lose to Navy is a perfect pick. It feels good, rooting for Navy, it feels good, rooting against Notre Dame. It’s the same sort of “justice” you get when someone gets instant karma after pulling a jerk move. Navy beating ND would remind you that everything is right in the world, and that good things can still happen to good people.
Prediction: Notre Dame 31 – Navy 14
Well guess what. According to every single commercial break I’ve had to listen for the last 3 months THERE ARE NO GOOD PEOPLE. Everyone is EVIL! Your life will effectively end if person X wins this election and also Navy is going to get crushed by real D1 talent.

Mannnnn, what happened? Nebraska was supposed to be this fun and plucky Red Big 10 team and they go and lose to Indiana by a billion last week? You let Indiana of all schools be the fun, plucky, big 10 red team? Not even Maryland?
Prediction: Ohio State 52 – Nebraska 20
But at some point it will be 14-10 and Ohio State fans will get to be nervous for a whole 10 seconds before Jeremiah Smith does something insane and we all just stand in awe.

I got to say it’s really fun to have a team come out of nowhere and look so good. Curt Cignetti is an awesome coach and Indiana being this good is really, really, surprising. These feel good stories usually get stamped out by the end of October but look at this schedule! Washington, @MSU, Michigan, @OSU, Purdue. I dare say 10-2 is like, the floor for these guys! They have all the momentum in the world and I will be rooting for them!
Prediction: Washington 27 – Indiana 24
Hey I said I am rooting for them! I’m not a bad person for predicting this! This is the classic type of game for a “on-the-rise” team to lose. Back-up QB, unknown hungry opponent, big matchups on the horizon, late October. My heart says, “Go Hoosiers!” but then my head says “why the heck are you saying that, heart?”

The classic Big 10 matchup everyone had circled going into the weekend. Does it sound like sour grapes if I say I wasn’t impressed with Illinois at all as they easily defeated Michigan last week? Michigan stinks, be a functional team and you will beat them. (Little preview for the Michigan game.)
Prediction: Illinois 28 – Oregon 47
_{Bielema has a punchable face.}

The real sad thing from this game is the winning fan base will take the result and use it as a dark omen for the future between these two teams. Don’t get me wrong, I want to win. But everything is so liquid in CFB these days it really is a year-by-year evaluation for every program. Michigan can go from winning the National Title to running a Quarterbackless offense in one year. And MSU can go from paying one coach a lot of money and being super amped about it and then being super amped about not having to pay that money any more the next. Victory is fleeting, as short as a phone call that you can dig up the receipts for even. But one team is trending up, the other is trending down, and when it’s 50/50 game I like the team that comes in there with no Paul Bunyan to lose.
Prediction: Michigan State 24 – Michigan 13
Alternate Prediction: Everyone around me is super annoyed with my horrible attitude for 4 hours during the game. And I yell at the play-by-play guy a lot. I get asked to watch the game in a different room. I question why it matters so much to me over and over again yet still let it matter to me. And finally, I debate not going to work Monday to face my peers antagonistic recaps of the game we both watched.

Prediction: Roll Tide

I am just really burnt out after venting all my emotions on the Michigan vs MSU game. Having a hard time booting up to write something clever here.
Prediction: LSU 33 – A&M 26 (Prepare for something wacky)

Addition by subtraction is a beautiful thing. I really, really want to pick Jameis Winston and the Browns pull off the mega-upset this week and shock the world. But every time I think I’ve got an upset on the radar I end up whiffing horribly. It’s like buying gifts for my wife, I think I’ve nailed it and she is going to be blown away. But then she ends up surprising me with the literally the best gift ever and it turns out I got the one thing she told me not to get her (more clothes). But NO! This SHIRT is AWESOME, and THIS TIME, SHE IS GOING TO BE BLOWN AWAY WITH MY THOUGHTFULNESS.
Prediction: Ravens 24 – Browns 27

Prediction: Bengals by a billion.
Everyone was super annoyed with the Eagles last year and they are just avoiding that hate for a few more weeks before we go back to being annoyed with them. They aren’t very good. This is another trending up vs. trending down scenario and I like the Bengals to win easy.

Prediction: Your game-meal of choice will be far more pivotal to your Sunday happiness than the inner-workings of this game.
It’s an amazing feeling to head into a game as a Lions fan and be so assured of victory you can make 4:30 p.m. plans and not even be concerned about wanting to cancel.

If the NFC North goes 4-0 this week do we just get to decide the NFC Champ by who wins the division?
Prediction: The Bears screw it up somehow.

Prediction: There will be a lot of Monday TV time dedicated to the loser of the match. (Dallas)

Prediction: Despite it being close, you will asleep Monday Night to this game. Giants pull off the upset late in the 4th while you dream about trees becoming sentient and taking over Australia. They are like Ents though instead they are kind of hyper and goofy like Umpa Lumpas. You suddenly realize it is a nightmare you can’t break out of. I read the Lorax too much as a kid.