Wait, who won the dingdang pool?

Mon fritos,

Sorry to leave you all hanging, there. I have no excuse, I guess I just wore out. Also, if I'm not winning it just seems like, you know, what's the point? Now that's a bad attitude, I'll grant you, but I never pretend to be a better fellow than I am. I find it very, very useful to keep your expectations low.

Anyhoo, if you can cast your collective minds back a few weeks, Kentucky was making other teams look like the Washington Generals. (Ever see the Simpsons episode where Homer is sitting on the couch watching tv (as I am now), when he says, "Ah, the Luftwaffe, the Washington Generals of the History Channel." Makes me tear up just remembering it.) Back to the point - Kentucky. The short answer is that the people who, like John Coleman, picked Kentucky to win the whole dang thing got themselves 6 big points for the final game. There was a lot of shaking going on up and down the standings, as you'll see below.

So, Obama didn't win, which would have been embarrassing. Ruth wound up tied with the President, which strikes me as funny for reasons I can't explain. Dana lost out by a point. Liz beat Matt by a point and her children by more, which must be going down hard in Pittsburgh. BUT THE REAL NEWS HERE IS THE JOHN COLEMAN IS YOUR WINNER!!! Last year it was John's daughter, the fair Rosalie. Can the Prown Colemans four-peat, with Sarah P and Willow winning the next two? Seems likely, to be frank. But this year belongs to John. John Coleman, come on down, you're queen for a day!

Remember, now, everyone's a winner (except for the 29 of who damn well lost). A trophy for John, and a participation ribbon for the rest of us. We'll get you next year, Prown Colemans. [Poolmeister shakes fist with determination and anger here.]

Be well, dear friends.

C

The Trophy

Here it is. The Trophy. Who am I sending it to? John?

Who's watching tonight?

Anyone? Anyone? [Sound of crickets.] I guess, on balance, and now that it doesn't matter poolwise, that I'm rooting for Kansas. I just can't forgive Adolph Rupp, and I suppose I never will. Go Kansas!

Who else?

C

Alas, poor Dana...

All,

Well, the ball bounces the way it bounces, and that's all there is to it. Deep, no? With Kansas beating OSU, Kentucky over Louisville, and all of a sudden, the pool standings are kind of upside down. That's a long way of saying that Dana isn't going to win (and much, much, more importantly, neither am I). How does the world look going into Monday night's final, you ask? Check it out below.

Yesterday's games were pretty fun, although I'll admit to watching them both with one eye. I really thought until the very end that OSU would pull it out. Kentucky looked pretty unbeatable for much of its game. I'm probably as good as that Davis kid on Kentucky, he's just a hair taller, and I guess that makes all the difference. Two geniuses to congratulate: HENRY and JOHN are the only two people in the pool who picked both teams in the final game. Nicely done, fellows.

The short answer is, though, that if Kentucky win, Chris P. Dykes, a/k/a/Oklahoma Slim, is our winner. If Kansas wins, the Dewitts all poop themselves with excitement, but John Coleman, the Nebraska Mauler, takes home the prize, edging out DD by a mere point. I believe I'm right in saying that JC is the only actual Kansas grad in the pool, so he's entitled. My (admittedly failing) memory tells me they've both won before, but that memory could come from one of the many parts of my brain now seriously misfiring. So, it's an Oklahoma guy or a Nebraska guy winning the pool by picking a Kansas team or a Kentucky theme. Is that much red state stuff disturbing to anyone besides me? Can't someone in, say, Vermont, win by picking Amherst to win the whole thing? Why can't that happen? Red states, bah. And don't bother reminding me that John lives in Connecticut with the rest of the Prown-Coleman clan, and that Chris Dykes is a fine, blue fellow in a wacky red state, it just isn't the same.

So, we're down to KS v. KY, John Coleman v. Chris Dykes, for all the marbles. Good luck to you all.

See you all at the blog tomorrow night for the big showdown.

C

Today's picks

My beloveds,

Two of the last three games are being played this evening. You can cut the pool tension with a knife, right?

Here's a list of who picked whom. Good luck.

C

1. KY - Everybody else
4. LVille - DD (could be the genius pick of the tourney)
----------------------------------------------------------
2. Missouri - Maggi, Dykes, Kate, Sarah B, Tim
3. Marquette - Acy, Willow, Gena
2. Duke - Alexander, Bill, Sophie
1. Mich State - Calvino, Matt, Dayle, Steve, Cal, Jonathan, Ellie, Sarah P


2. Ohio St - Knott, Calvino, Jonathan, Sarah B, Liz
2. Kansas - Dykes, Willow, Henry, Cal, Sarah P, John
---------------------------------------------------------
5. Vandy - Sophie
3. GTown - Gena, Ellie
3. Florida St - Kate, Matt
1. Syracuse - Alexander, Wrinkler, Rosalie
1. UNC - Maggi, Acy, Obama, Ruth, Scott, Harry, Bill, Dayle, Steve, Dana, Tim

And that's that. There is, I think, a surprising variety of picks in these games. I do feel a little bad for those who picked UNC. Losing a point guard is pretty tough to bounce back from in the pool. I'm also surprised that only three of us had Duke making the final game. Kentucky looks tough, but this seems like anyone's tournament. Dana's still likely to walk off with the pool, especially if Louisville wins tonight. I don't know about you, but a Dana Duffy victory suits me just fine. If she does win, we can buy any old trophy off the rack, from any sport. She won't mind, right, DD?

Later dudes,

C

Who's winning? Dana, of course.

OK, so it's been a while. I was just being lazy, to be honest. After Sunday's games, I had to lie down for a while; a week did it and I'm better now. Ready for more hoop, to be sure. Acy is in Quebec on a school trip (in Maine we go to Canada to get some warmer weather, you see), so Maggi, Alexander and I are the only three going to the Mark Tipton Quartet performing Muppets and Sesame Street Jazz live in a basement somewhere in downton Portland. Jealous? We're leaving in 5 minutes, can you make it here in time? There are probably tix still available.

Here are the standings at the end of four rounds (Go Dana!!!)



Today's picks in a minute. Hang tight.

Meister

Sunday Picks

Dear Congregants,

Once you're all back from church, your thoughts may turn to hoop. (I, myself, attend Sunday morning services at the Church of St. Mattress). For those of you wanting to watch Dana lap the field in real time, here are today's picks:


1. KY - Knott, Dykes, Obama, Ruth, Henry, Calvino, Scott, Harry, Matt, Dayle, Steve, Cal, Sarah B, Tim, Liz, Wrinkler, Rosalie, John
3. Baylor - Dana, Ellie, Sarah P
---------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Duke - Maggi, Acy, Alexander, Willow, Kate, Bill, Sophie
8. Iowa State - Gena (I love this pick. Sorry it didn't work out)
4. Indiana - Jonathan


1. UNC - Knott, Maggi, Acy, Obama, Ruth, Scott, Harry, Bill, Dayle, Steve, Dana, Tim, Wrinkler, Rosalie
2. Kansas - Alexander, Dykes, Willow, Henry, Kate, Cal, Sarah P, John
---------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Michigan - Calvino, Jonathan
3. GTown - Matt, Gena, Sarah B, Ellie
10. Purdue - Liz
5. Temple - Sophie

Standings after Saturday: or, Dana Rampant

Chilluns,

Those were some exciting Saturday games, no? Were you all watching? I was, with one eye, admittedly. Still, that Louisville comeback was something to see. Too bad Pitino makes me want to chuck.

The standings, alas, are less exciting. Dana, our own DD, is stretching the lead now. She's kind of mocking us at this point. Lots of jockeying for position up and down the standings, but the news here is that Liz continues her charge up the ladder. But is her late rally too little, too late? Only time will tell. Can she catch anyone in her nuclear family? Um, maybe.

Obama remains stubbornly near the top. Swing state teams seem to be doing well in the tourney. Here's hoping he's not mired in 2nd place this November in that other contest. For the record, I'd rather have him lose the pool to DD than lose the election to Rick, Newt or Mittens. Still, I'll never include celebrity picks in our pool again. It's humiliating.

Here are the standings after Saturday, with just 5 games left to go.

Here's to a lazy, sleepy Sunday to all of you. That's what we have planned up here in cold, rainy Portland.

The Meister

Saturday picks

All, I certainly hate the new Blogger interface. Google, I assume you're reading all my postings. Screw you.

Here are today's picks:



1. Syracue - John, Rosalie, Winkler, Cal, Henry, Willow, Dykes, Alexander
2. OH St - Knott, Maggi, Obama, Ruth, Calvino, Scott, Dayle, Steve, Dana, Jonathan, Sarah B, Tim, Liz -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. Cincy - Acy
3. FL St - Harry, Kate, Matt, Gena, Sarah P
4. Wisc - Bill
5. Vandy - Ellie, Sophie


4. Lville - Knott, Dana, Sophie, John
7. Florida - Nobody
-------------------------------------
1. Mich St - Everybody else
2. Missouri - Maggi, Dykes, Obama, Scott, Kate, Sarah B, Tim, Wrinkler
3. Marq - Acy, Willow, Gena
5. New Mexico - Liz

Good luck, folks. Only 7 games left. How am I ever going to win this thing?

C

Standings after Friday's games

Mein darlinks,

Well, we're heading to a dramatic race to the finish. (I'm talking about the pool, by the way, not the tournament. Yawn.)

Dana continues to lead, Dykes continues to sneak up, Obama holding steady, Liz out of the basement, Jonathan paying dearly for his Big 10 allegiance. It's so exciting I can hardly stand it. This is going to be a short message, I have Legos to build with a certain red-haired nag.

Here are the standings after Friday's games:

Tournament Trophy

This is the official Hoop Kids Pool trophy designed and executed by our very own Maggi Jackson, in my possession, because I was the big winner one year. Now that I know I might win again this year, I'm willing to pass it on to the winner of this year's tournament. If this makes no sense, I've had half a bottle of wine at this point....so sorry.

Friday's Picks

Kith and Kin,

You might like to know who's picked whom in tonight's games. Well, we're here to oblige each and everyone one of your fondest wishes. You need only ask.

Here goes:


1. Kentucky - Everybody else
4. Indiana - Acy, Alexander, Willow, Jonathan, Ellie
-----------------------------------------------------------
8. Iowa State - Gena


10. Xavier - Nobody
3. Baylor - Knott, Dykes, Obama, Ruth, Henry, Scott, Matt, Dayle, Rosalie, Winkler, Ellie, Steve, Dana, Liz, both Sarahs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Duke - Everybody else
14. South Dakota State - Gena


1. UNC - Everybody and his/her brother/sister, except
13. Ohio - Not here, nobody picked Ohio, must be below the line
----------------------------------------------------------------
5. Temple - Alexander, Willow, Sophie, Sarah P
4. Michigan - Calvino, Matt, Jonathan, Sarah B


11. NC State - Harry (Go, Harry!)
2. Kansas - Everybody else
----------------------------------------
3. GTown - Knott, Matt, Gena, Sarah B, Ellie, Wrinkler
10. Purdue - Jonathan, Liz, Sophie


And there you have it. Safe pooling out there, friends.

C

Where we stand...

Gang,

Four more games in the books last night, but it's the same old leader. Dana Duffy, take another bow. She's walking away from us now, folks, and it seems to me, maybe taunting us a little. [Insert picture of Poolmeister angrily shaking fist impotently in the air].

President Obama keeps doing well, but I'd advise standings-watchers to keep their eyes on stealthy, perennial dark horse Chris Dykes. The Oklahoma Kid has, once again, sidled up the standings to find himself within reasonable striking distance of the lead. With only 11 games remaining, however, he'll have to strike soon. The rest of us suck, pick-wise.

Here's how it looks after last night:

Who picked whom? (Thursday edition)

All and sundry,

I know you're all waiting breathlessly to find out where you'll stand after tonight's games. Below is a table of picks for those of you following along at home. Like my home, I mean. Acy, Maggi and I have made the following bet: 3rd place among the three of us is the evening snack, treat and drink fetcher for the other two for two solid weeks. Your home life may be different, but this is kind of a big deal where we live. 2nd place does, if I remember correctly, dishes, trash and coffee prep for a week. Another big deal Chez Jackson Knott. Have you any side bets going? Let's hear 'em.

See below for the NCAA Pool Home Game Edition.

Have a safe Round Three (despite stupid CBS calling it stupid Round Four because of the stupid play-in stupid games stupid. This is Round Three - so there) out there.

C


4. Wisc - Kate, Bill, Jonathan, both Sarahs, Liz
1. Syracuse - Everyone else
------------------------------------------------------
5. Vandy - Knott, Calvino, Scott, Matt, Ellie, Sophie
8. Kansas State - Harry, Steve, Tim


6. Cincy - Acy (could be the genius pick of Round Three)
2. Ohio State - Everyone else
-----------------------------------------------------------
11. Texas - Alexander (he'll learn, don't worry)
3. FL St - Henry, Harry, Kate, Matt, Gena, Cal, Sophie, Sarah P, John
10. West VA - Bill


1. Michigan St - Everyone else
4. LVille - Knott, Dykes, Dana, Sophie, John
------------------------------------------------------
8. Memphis - Acy, Sarah B
5. New Mexico - Gena, Liz (don't ever bet on Steve Alford, friends.)


7. Florida - Matt (another genius?)
3. Marquette - Knott, Acy, Willow, Gena, Dana, Cal, Liz, Ellie, Rosalie
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Missouri - Everyone else
6. Murray State - Alexander, Bill, Sarah P
10. UVA - Sophie

Getting ready for tonight

Dear Friends,

OK, so it's been a couple of days since I've posted, and I'm woefully late giving you the Sunday results and the current standings. Can I blame it on work? Family obligations? Unseasonably beautiful weather in Maine? Sloth? Take your pick.

Sunday was a rough tournament day for most of us, but it made for some fun watching, at least. Tonight's four games should be good ones, and I'll post everyone's picks shortly.

In the meantime, Dana continues her domination, followed closely by the President. I see a bumper sticker here: Dana Duffy - Smarter than Obama. Like it?

Here's where we all stand:

A new leader to lead them...

Poolies,

Holy guacamole!!! We have a new leader. I won't spoil the suspense, you'll have to wait until the end of this post.

Saturday's games were, in one sense, Dullsville. Despite some good, close games, there were no upsets. Every one of the higher seeds won, which is offensive to my left wing political views. (My left wing political views are such that I believe that the little guy ought to win every now and then, or at least have a chance to. They do not extend to the belief that everybody should get a trophy or that we're all really winners or that it's mean to keep score. I thought you might be curious.)

Where was I? Oh yes, Dullsville. Today should be more interesting. As I type this, NC State is ahead of Georgetown, which is a pretty popular state of affairs in my house, I can tell you.

Willow, it's worth pointing out, got all eight games right yesterday. Congrats to you, my friend. I'd like to bring to your attention how well the President is doing in our pool. Evidently, basketball teams from important swing states are doing well so far.

AND NOW, OUR NEW STANDINGS AND OUR NEW LEADER!!! Congrats to our mutual genioso. Check out the standings below to see who's currently humiliating the rest of us:

Round One

Whew, was Day Two a monster! Eight upsets, including two 15 seeds beating 2 seeds. My understanding is that prior to yesterday, 15 seeds had only won 4 games since 1985. It's like in baseball, where of the 15 unassisted triple plays in history, 2 of them took place on consecutive days in 1927. Weird.

Anyhoo, we have geniuses to praise. Only The Wrinkler picked USF to beat Temple, only Dana got Lehigh over Duke, and as I said below, only Gena, Ellie and Sophie got Norfolk State over Missouri. Five of us (me, Acy, Dayle, Ellie, Sophie) picked Ohio to beat Michigan. If you've forgotten, correctly picking a 1-10 seed to win gets you 1 point, 11-12 seeds get you 2 points, 13-14 seeds get you 3 points, and 15-16 seeds get you 4 points. If my math is correct, that means there were 27 points possible yesterday (as opposed to 18 on Thursday). The day's big winner was...wait for it...SOPHIE MAC, with an amazing 16 points. Her sister, Ellie, was right behind with 15. Something in the Pittsburgh water, evidently. Their mother, Liz, is clearly not drinking that water. What are you drinking, Liz? [I'm going for the world record for the most ideas in one paragraph - what the hell am I writing about here?]

So, today begins Round 2, where all games are worth 2 points each. All these upsets are going to make the later rounds weird, poolwise, but let's see how it all shakes out.

Below are the standings after Round One. I hope you're all planning to watch at 12 hours of televised hoop today. I'd be disappointed to find that you've been, oh, playing outside, exercising, reading a book, or any other goofy non-basketball-related activity. Get on the couch, people, it's the tournament.

Stationarily yours,

Meister

Voie à suivre Lehigh

Duke est un seau d'immondices trempent riche ivre digne de sa perte.

Love that Google Translate. I have been ridiculed soundly for my correct pronunciation of L'High, while sipping a nice glass of Burgundy. Viva la pool!

What do Gena, Ellie and Sophie have in common?

I'll tell you what they all have in common - they all picked Norfolk State to beat Missouri. Now that's genius. Plus, since it's a 15 seed beating a 2 seed, they'll each get 4 points for getting it right. Congrats geniuses.

You now join these folks in the pantheon of big-brained thinkerators.

Congrats.

Day One, or why won't Rosalie let the rest of us play?

Friends,

OK, work week drawing to a close, time to talk hoop. First, some pool business. You may notice that we have a new pool entrant, President Obama. For those of you who don't know him, he's an Indonesian Muslim communist (or so I've heard on AM radio) who likes basketball. He seemed lonely, so I got his picks off the web and entered him. I'm assuming the Secret Service will be at my door shortly. Also, I'm going to quit filling your email inboxes shortly, so point your browser (and I'm old enough to remember when a gentleman wouldn't say "point your browser" in polite company) to the blog, newly and beautifully redesigned for 2012 by our own Mike Winkler, a/k/a The Wrinkler. Thank you Wrinkler. Find the blog here: hoopkids.blogspot.com.

There, then, down to business. Day One was a bit of a snoozefest, upset-wise, although there were some darn good games. Of the sixteen games yesterday, there were only two upsets: 12. VCU over Wichita St., and 11. Colorado over UNLV. If you recall, 11 and 12 seed wins get the picker 2 points each instead of 1. That means there were a total of 18 points available. Day One's genius is, once again, Rosalie, who got 17 of the 18 points. Miraculous. I'm taking her to the track at Saratoga soon, and I'm going to let her place bets for me. The rest of did, well, not nearly so good a job.

The standings after Day One are as follows:





I'm wrapping up at the office, and I'm off home to start drinking (I mean, watching). See you all on the interwebs tonight. Have a safe Day Two out there.

Bleh

Ok, it looks like my last chance for an upset pick is Ohio over Michigan. Knowing my luck, this is the Big Ten's year to win win win. Oh, and Minnesota didn't deserve a berth -- they choked bigger than Dr. Heimlich's first patient.

Let's get serious

So yesterday was a fine day of b-ball, a nice little warm up. But today is the time for the Old North State to turn on the gas. NC State, Carolina and Duke! I mean, come on! Oh, and I have Hint o' Crack in the house. Life is good.

How are you staying up to date on the scores?

Watching SI at work...on my laptop...during meetings...

Aight

Are we here or is there a pintwitter or Youface account for the pool this year?