Stomp The Lunatic

Congratulations to William England – who managed to go 7 for 8 in the Elite 8 to take a 10 point lead at 750 points over Nathan Standley and Audra Lifson.  It is a crazy tight tournament at the moment, as David Chamowitz and Michael Swinson are tied for 4th at 730 points, Mike Wassmer, John Bachmann and John Johnson are tied for 6th at 720 points, and Robert Ahles, Sharon Thornton, Bill Carter, Jack White, Cinde Johnson are all tied at 9th with 700 points.   What might be even more interesting is that within our top 10, our leaders disagree with who will win – while Kansas is the most common champion picked, 6 of the 8 teams remaining are picked by one of these leaders as their champion (only Notre Dame and Syracuse aren’t represented).   There are 48 entries within 80 points (or one Elite 8 correct winner), so with so many different picks and so many people close, anything could still happen!!!!

In the Upset pool, John Bachmann has taken the lead with 271 points.  He is closely followed by Rick Flynn at 267 points (who correctly got Notre Dame to win tonight), Doug Crowe at 264 points, Kelli Shonts at 261 points, and Kyle Kelly at 260 points (who correctly got Syracuse to win tonight).    So, this has the potential to go down to the wire as well.

In our Second Chance Pool, Jim Wambach has a small lead with the incredible job of going 8 for 8 in the first round.   But he is followed by 14 people (Mark Walsh, Tom Giroir, Bill Kahn, Chris Kelly, Drew Bradley, Rich Napolitano, Andrea Zimmerman, Cheri Searles, Andrew Murphy, Audra Lifson, Peter Lifson, Adam Searles, Brian Lawton and Matt Garda) who got 7 of 8 correct and are just 40 behind.

Some pretty impressive picks by everyone!!!!!!   Good luck to all in the Elite 8!!!

 

 

Gonzaga led for a good amount of the game, but Syracuse never let the game get out of reach.   Gonzaga found themselves up 57-48 with 6:28 off a layup from big man Domantas Sabonis.  That was a big moment for multiple reasons.  The 9 point lead was the largest of the second half for Gonzaga – but it also would be the last time Gonzaga hit a basket from the field.    Syracuse’s suffocating defense kept getting stop after stop, and chipping away at the lead.   Then, with under 25 seconds to play, Michael Gbinijie drives to the basket only to get his shot blocked.  But he refused to be denied, grabbed the offensive rebound and made the layup to give the Orange a 61-60 lead.

Then, it was once again that defense, Trever Cooney looked like he stole the ball in the corner, except the referee had ruled that he stepped out of bounds to get Gonzaga one last chance.   Josh Perkins took one last drive into the lane, but found his shot blocked by Tyler Lydon.   Two free throws later, and the Orange walk away with a 3 point victory over the West Coast Conference tournament champs, and they survive to play Virginia in the Elite 8.   And that ends the Cinderella bid for Gonzaga – the clock has struck midnight (literally) on the mid-major champions.

Congratulations to Syracuse – who continue to incredible run as a 10 seed to the Elite 8 (sorry, but I can’t call an ACC team Cinderella – even if they are a 10 seed).   And as I write this, the Tar Heels have a 16 point lead over the Hoosiers with under 30 seconds.   So, it looks like the ACC will have a complete sweep of Friday night.   So, congratulations to the ACC champions as well, the North Carolina Tar Heels!!!!

In a tournament of amazing finishes, Notre Dame added the luck of the Irish to another incredible finish.  Vitto Brown had just given the Badgers a 3 point lead with 26 seconds off a clutch three-pointer.  And then, everything changed.

Demetrius Jackson, the Irish’s leading scorer, had been held by the Badgers tough defense to 4-16 from the field.  But with the game on the line, Jackson drives quickly down the field and gets a layup to cut the lead to 1.  Then, off the inbounds play, the Irish traps Nigel Hayes in the corner and as he tried to break the trap, he gets the ball stolen by Jackson who quickly takes it to hoop and gives the Irish the lead.

Tonight, Bronson Koenig didn’t have any magic last second victories – his drive to the basket ends up missing – which led to a big time rebound by VJ Beachem.   Then, with the season on the line on the largest stage in college basketball, the 55% FT shooter calmly knocks both FTs down to give the Irish a 3 point lead.

And then, with one last chance, Koenig has the ball stolen again by Jackson – who puts the game out of reach with two more FTs.   That’s right – an 8-0 run in the last 19 seconds led by 2 steals lead the Irish to the Elite 8.   And on a night, when the Irish’s leading scorer was struggling, he found a way to help win the game with his defense.

Congratulations to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish – who become the second ACC school to make the Elite 8 tonight.   Will Syracuse and North Carolina make it a clean sweep for the ACC – we will know in a couple hours.

The ACC has the chance to send 4 teams to the Elite 8 tonight.  And it is pretty certain that the first team of the night will make it – as the Virginia Cavaliers are 26 seconds away from finishing up yet another double digit victory for the favorites.   Fortunately, Wisconsin and Notre Dame are actually playing a tight game that could be entertaining at the end.  I will congratulate the Cavaliers a few seconds early on their victory over Iowa State.

Maryland and Duke kept the games relatively close at half time, but the #1 seeds of Kansas and Oregon ran off in the second halves to get large victories.

Who would have guessed that all four games would be double digit victories for the favorites in a tournament that has been special because of its upsets.

Congratulations to the Jayhawks and Ducks on their dominating performances to advance to the Elite 8.

Congratulations also to Audra Lifson and John Bachmann, who went 4 for 4 in tonight’s games to take the lead away from the Lunatic.   Audra’s 660 points lead the Standard Pool and John’s 265 points lead the Upset Pool.

As for the Lunatic, after going perfect in the first two rounds of the South and West regions, he only could get 1 of tonight’s 4 games correct.  That’s right – the Lunatic went 24 for 24 in the first two rounds, and then having picked all 8 of the teams playing tonight, went 1 for 4.  And as everything seems back to normal in the world, the Lunatic crashes and burns down to a tie for 84th place, with his reign of terror appearing to be over.   The Lunatic still has to be happy that his amazing first weekend has left him in 3rd place of the Upset Pool – but not sure that will hold up either with only Kansas and North Carolina still alive in the tournament.

The Sooners made sure that their was no magical comeback this time, and the Oklahoma Sooners joined Villanova as two seeds that just destroyed their 3 seed opponents to get to the Elite 8.   It is a little surprising – I really expected both of these to be really close games, but Villanova and Oklahoma were just way too good.

Congratulations to the Sooners for their dominating win tonight to make it to the Elite 8!

Congratulations to Villanova, who barring a crazy miracle, have just destroyed the Miami Hurricanes to earn their place in the Elite 8.  They definitely proved me wrong – I had made a statement that they had not beaten anyone outside of Iowa and the Big East.   Well, I am not sure that statement isn’t completely true – because beaten might not be enough of an adjective of what the Wildcats have done tonight.  They ran the Hurricanes out of the arena – every time Miami pressed to try to get back in this game, Villanova just broke the press as if no one was on the court and added to their lead.   I will wait for the buzzer to mark it – since Texas A&M reminded me that miracles happen.

Speaking of which, it looks like the Aggies have the Sooners right where they want them.  The comeback kids are down 18 to Oklahoma – so we will see if the Aggies have another miracle left in their bag.

OK – it is now official – Villanova has won by 23.   Congratulations Wildcats!!!!

Also – that means if you haven’t already – make sure you put in your second chance picks.   Consider this your friendly reminder!!!!

Enjoy the games tonight – should be some really good basketball.

Ten reasons to do the Stomp the Lunatic Second Chance Pool

• You no longer have a Final Four team left in your real bracket after your creative upset picks of taking a 2, 3, 4 and 5 seed was ripped to shreds as Michigan State, West Virginia, California and Baylor all crashed in the first round
• You want another chance to say that you had a perfect bracket after Yale and Little Rock took out Baylor and Purdue before the first 8 games were over.
• Now that your school has been eliminated from the tournament, you can pick teams intelligently and really show off you basketball knowledge instead of blindly picking Purdue – whoops, I mean your school’s team.
• Your son who chose based on whoever was the better seed and your daughter who picked schools which are purple and by randomly touching teams on the touch screen are both beating you in the pool and you want another chance to redeem yourself
• Because after watching Texas A&M comeback from 12 points in less than a minute, you now know they are destined to win the tournament.
• You have decided that all the teams you pick are jinxed, and since there are still schools out there that you don’t like, you want to use your power for good and eliminate the Hoosiers and Fighting Irish – sorry, where did that come from – I mean eliminate the teams that you don’t like.
• You want to be able to say that you legitimately picked in a bracket for a mid-major champion to make the Final Four, and with Gonzaga two games away, it even looks like it might be realistically possible.
• You want to be able to pick an all ACC bracket (Miami FL, Duke, UNC and Virginia) and then scream at your television the remainder of the tournament as Kansas starts knocking them off one by one.
• It is another – and more importantly, last chance in 2015 to STOMP THE LUNATIC!
• It’s absolutely FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That’s right – your entry fee already covers your Second Chance Pool entry – and so there is absolutely no good reason not to do the Second Chance Pool. You even have all Thursday afternoon to do them, since the games don’t start until 7:15 pm. Good luck to all of you!!

– The Crazed Lunatic

That’s right – it is time to bring to you expert advice on the Sweet 16 in the way that only the Lunatic can – by polling the amazing basketball knowledge of the Lunatic Expert Panel.

South Semi-Final 1 – #2 Villanova vs #3 Miami FL

• Crazed Lunatic – Miami FL – I was really impressed with how the Hurricanes beat Wichita State.   I suspect that guard Angel Rodriguez will take over this game like he did against the Shockers 
• Mrs. Lunatic – Villanova – I have a rule to never pick a team from Florida
• Charlie – Villanova – they have the best record and are the favorites according to Vegas and seeds
• Katie – Villanova – they are purple

West Semi-Final 1 – #2 Oklahoma vs #3 Texas A&M

• Crazed Lunatic – Texas A&M – this game is a coin flip for me.  I even hedged in my second chance picks with the Sooners.  But I have been so successful with my crazy picks – which had the Aggies to the Elite 8.  Not to mention they feel like a team of destiny after that stunning comeback against Northern Iowa.  Believe!!!!
• Mrs. Lunatic – Texas A&M – she says Hook ’em Horns – oh wait a second, wrong school.   Doesn’t matter – Go Texas A&M
• Charlie – Texas A&M – the Aggies won one more game then Oklahoma – and Daddy says I should pick a few upsets
• Katie – Texas A&M – Oklahoma – no not Oklahoma – do I really have to do this.  I would like my popsicle and to go back to watching Henry Danger.

South Semi-Final 2 – #1 Kansas vs #5 Maryland

• Crazed Lunatic – Kansas – after watching Maryland play in the Big 10 and seeing them go on slumps where their stars have off shooting nights, it is safer to take the very dominant Jayhawks.
• Mrs. Lunatic – Kansas – a girl can only buck the system so much – have to pick a favorite eventually
• Charlie – Kansas – #1 team going into the tournament
• Katie – Maryland – my friend just moved to Maryland – and their mascot is a turtle.  Fear the Turtle!

West Semi-Final 2 – #1 Oregon vs #4 Duke

• Crazed Lunatic – Duke – the Blue Devils can’t seem to stop anyone, but they seem to outscore them at the end.  I think Duke’s tournament experience and hall of fame coach will be the difference in what should be a great game.
• Mrs. Lunatic – Duke – always pick teams from North Carolina if I can
• Charlie – Oregon – they had more wins than the Blue Devils – that must be why they were a #1 seed
• Katie – Duke – Grandpa did his post doc at Duke – so while they aren’t as good as the Tar Heels, they have to be able to beat a Duck – Devils also sound scary

Midwest Semi-Final 1 – #1 Virginia vs #4 Iowa State

• Crazed Lunatic – Virginia – this is the Cavalier’s region with their nemesis from Michigan leaving the tournament.  Add to it the ACC has been dominant, and you have to go with one of the ACC’s best
• Mrs. Lunatic – Virginia – while not normally a UVA fan, have to root for the home team
• Charlie – Virginia – always take the #1 seed
• Katie – Virginia – I live in Virginia!!!!

East Semi-Final 1 – #6 Notre Dame vs #7 Wisconsin

• Crazed Lunatic – Wisconsin – my biases might be getting the best of me.  But I think that Wisconsin is the better defensive team, and that seems to give them a chance to win no matter who they play
• Mrs. Lunatic – Wisconsin – Never Notre Dame – Never for anything – Just Never
• Charlie – Wisconsin – Daddy shamed me into picking an upset – not to mention as a Purdue fan, I can’t root for the Irish.
• Katie – Notre Dame – their mascot is a Leprauchan – that has to be lucky, right!!!   I love Leprauchan Day – they make the potty water green!

South Semi-Final 2 – #1 North Carolina vs #5 Indiana

• Crazed Lunatic – North Carolina – The Tar Heels have too much talent here – Brice Johnson is too dominant inside, and Marcus Paige and Joel Berry are talented enough guards to at least slow Yogi Ferrell down.  Plus the obvious fact that as a Boilermaker, I can’t take the Hoosiers
• Mrs. Lunatic – North Carolina – a Chapel Hill born girl has to go with the Tar Heels.
• Charlie – North Carolina – many say you should always take the pre-season #1 team
• Katie – North Carolina – Nanny and Grandpa taught me the fight song – want to hear it!!!

East Semi-Final 2 – #10 Syracuse vs #11 Gonzaga

• Crazed Lunatic – Gonzaga – everyone knows my feelings about Syracuse, but I have been impressed with how they have gotten to the Sweet 16.  But this has been such a good tournament of the mid-majors, and it shouldn’t be a surprise that the Zags are left holding the mid-major banner.   I expect Kyle Wiltjer and Eric McClellan to beat the Orange’s amazing zone defense.
• Mrs. Lunatic – Gonzaga – go Zags!!!  Not to mention Tom’s dislike for Syracuse has rubbed off on me
• Charlie – Gonzaga – Vegas has them as the favorite and they won their conference’s championship
• Katie – Gonzaga – I will pick the team Mommy wants – she has the remote control

That’s right – expert opinions that you can only get here at the Stomp the Lunatic Blog.  Special thanks to my wife – who not only helped me with writing this, but once again must love me by putting up with this insanity each year.

Hope everyone enjoys the games – and don’t forget to do your second chance picks.