This alley looks like a great spot for some free throw practice.

When I was little, we’d sometimes roll out our miniature trampoline and place it right under our hoop. I’m not sure it made our form or aim any better (probably not), but you can be sure it got us somewhat closer to the rim and definitely improved the style points. Like we thought we were the Harlem Globetrotters. So, I’m assuming the milk crates in the photo here serve the same purpose… just a little boost. But damned if those crates tip over, some little kid is going to have a busted ankle.

Now THIS is a great spot to play some hoops (extra points for hitting a shot off the tree, but you have to call it first). It also seems like it could be the very place that the alley-oop was named for… However, according to Wikipedia, “The term “alley-oop” is derived from the French term allez hop!, the cry of a circus acrobat about to leap. It was first used in the 50s by the San Francisco 49ers to describe a high arcing pass to wide receiver R.C. Owens, who would out-leap cornerbacks for touchdown receptions, but later became more well-known for its use in basketball.

I suppose the only problem I see here is not enough range to practice your three-point shot, and especially not for the long-shot in Bob-Ball ™

marchmadnessmarchmadnessmarchmadnessMARCHMADDDNESSS!!!! ohhh finally! it’s the best time of year! Time to call your bookies, fill out your brackets, and start dreaming about how you will spend your millions when you pick a perfect 64 teams. oh yes, it could happen. There are, and someone check my math, apparently nine quintillion (or 9,223,372,036,854,775,808) possibilities for picking your teams. If you do like the ladies and wives usually do, go for your favorite colors or mascots or the team with that dreamy point-guard, and you will probably win big. Or, like most of the men I know, you have heavily scrutinized the entire season, even subscribing to ESPNU, scoured every sports blog, and even gave it the time to think overnight before you submit your choices. But somehow you still picked your Alma Mater to win it all, even though they are only a 12 seed, and you’re going to be disappointed when someone by the screen name of “IHeartTacos” or something else crazy wins the pot instead of you. That’s why they call it madness! So, who are you taking to win it all this year?? here’s my advice – don’t just default to last year’s champs… sorry Tar Heels! bah-ha!

I wonder if they ever try to bank it off the side walls.