Stomp The Lunatic

Based on last evening’s success, I have brought in some experts to handicap tonight’s games.  First, lets get the opinion from our Second Chance Pool leader – Charlie Hodgson

Charlie says:

• Baylor vs Xavier – Baylor are the Bears – I have two wonderful stuffed bears that I love very much.  Xavier are Musketeers – I am not even sure what that is.  Obviously, the Bears will win.
• UNC vs Ohio – Grandpa went to UNC – and obviously, my Grandpa’s school would be one of the best.  And I know the UNC Fight Song.  Doesn’t matter anything about Ohio – the Tar Heels will win.
• Kentucky vs Indiana – Kentucky are the Wildcats – that just sounds cool.  How can you not like a big cat.  Indiana’s logo is red – which is a plus.  But they are the rivals of my daddy’s school, so it is obvious that the Wildcats will win!!!
• Kansas vs North Carolina St – North Carolina St is from the same state that my Nanny and Grandpa live in.  And their logo is red.  And seriously, even I know who would win the battle between a Wolfpack and a Jayhawk.  The Wolfpack will win.

And now, from Katie – the top in the main standings from my household:

No Vegas Lines Less Than 2.  Pick all Favorites.  Go Heels!!!!!!   Ice Cream Pleaze!!!   Tank you!

 

After Ohio State and Florida finished off the nightcaps for Thursday, a few of you took advantage to rise to the top of the standings.
Christina Lee managed to hang on to her lead in both the standard and upset pools, but she is now tied at the top with Melissa Hartfield and Rick Flynn. They are followed closely by just 10 points by Kate Yost, Joseph Allen, David Caldwell, Ella Flora and Debbe Evans.
In the second chance pool, only 4 of us could figure out all 4 winners from last night. Those winners were Alan Miller, Shirli Zelcer, Taylor Early, and Charlie Hodgson. That’s right. While the Lunatic was using logic like MSU under Izzo has won multiple championships this season, and they have a size advantage over Louisville. My 5 year old son uses logic like Louisville has a pretty red bird for its mascot and red is my favorite color. Its obvious whose logic will be correct!!!

That’s right – with Syracuse’s 1 point victory over Wisconsin, it is official.  David Gatewood has successfully defended his title as Loser of the Standard Pool.  Wisconsin (his top 4 seed) joined Wichita State (his top 6 seed) and his other upsets on the sideline – ensuring that he can get no more points.

David becomes the first person in history to win the “Loser” of the Standard Pool prize in back to back years – setting a new standard for losing.  In fact, David becomes only the second person to finish last in the pool multiple times.  The only other person to accomplish this feat was my roommate from college, David Zimmerman.  Of course, while Mr. Gatewood has won in back-to-back years, it was Mr. Zimmerman who still has set the ultimate standard – when he picked all upsets (no one better than a 9 seed).  It is one thing when you win back to back years – but it is a totally different standard to force a new rule to be put in to prevent others from trying that insanity.

I don’t know if there has anything to do with the combination of being named David and Wisconsin (one picked Wisconsin, the other is from Wisconsin) that makes you susceptible to bad picks in the pool.  I am still trying to figure out how to get rid of that stupid Lunatic curse thing – so this is too much for me to try to tackle right now.  Maybe I can get one of my fellow statisticians to do a study into this.

As a side note, David runs this crazy fun pool called the Loser Pool – where you pick Losers instead of Winners.  Unfortunately for David, I think that mentality is starting to wear off on his picks for the Lunatic contest.    Either that, or he is forgetting which pool he is entering and is putting in his expected losers.

It is a tradition – so it is necessary to say, “Sorry, David – But you should not have challenged the Lunatic!”  But considering how horrible my picks are, we really should be saying something like “you shouldn’t have challenged Ella Flora (our current leader)”

And for all of you where your hopes was “Just don’t finish last” – we can all thank David for protecting us from that honored distinction.

As seems to be a honored tradition, almost like clock-work – it starts.  Michigan State becomes the first number 1 seed to go down – and it would only figure since the only team to win both a share of its regular season and conference tournaments (of the 5 major conferences) happens to be the team the Lunatic picked in its sane picks.  Of course, we all know that the Lunatic’s insane picks winner – North Carolina, had their star point guard break his wrist.  I can guarantee you that John Calapari was very displeased to find out that the Lunatic took Kentucky to win in the Second Chance Pool (ok – Calapari probably doesn’t know – but if he did, he would be terribly concerned).

Congratulations to the Big East who kicked off the Sweet 16 with two victories against some of the best of the Big 10, as Syracuse survived against Wisconsin as well as the dominating performance from Louisville.

Just in case (and so I don’t keep spamming people) – in order to enter the second chance pool, all you have to do is login – and then click on the “Enter Bracket” link next to the “Placeholder for Second Chance Entry”

Don’t miss your chance to enter the second chance pool – all entries need to be in before 7:15 pm EST on Thursday (before tip-off of Thursday’s first Sweet 16 game)

Congratulations to Christina Lee – our Second Round leader.  Christina has taken the lead with 490 points (and 235 in the Upset Pool) – giving her a 10 point advantage over Vernon McGeorge III, Nathan Standley, Ella Flora, and Kate Yost (Elizabeth’s Mom!!!).  Apparently, the real basketball expert in the family is Kate.

It can’t be the Lunatic – who is being totally stomped by 203 entries.  But that doesn’t hurt as much as watching the Boilers lose an 11 point lead and a Sweet 16 spot in the now wide-open Midwest Region.

As a reminder, for those of you who are doing as badly as the Lunatic (or those of you who are doing the Stomping as well), the Second Chance bracket is ready to go.  Don’t forget to login and pick your teams for a second chance to win!!!!

I really thought the Boilers were going to pull it off.  But it wasn’t meant to be.  Really tough right now to wait for the end of the Florida State / Cincinnati game.