2012 HWCI NCAA Pool Update

The 18th HWCI NCAA Tournament Pool

Thursday, March 22, 2012 
Issue # 9.4.1 "Don't Bet Against Pitino"
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BIG EAST WINS 2 OF 3 BIG EAST VS BIG 10 MATCHUPS
Larzby builds 5-point lead as exactly half still have a chance to win money

CERRITOS, CA (smt)- In the battle of great coaches, Rick Pitino improved to 10-0 in the Sweet 16 as #4W-Louisville blocked Tom Izzo's #1W-Michigan St. as Gorgui Dieng stuffed 7 Spartan shots. The Spartans become the first #1 seed to fall and uncharacteristically so, with its worst offensive performance in the tournament. The Cardinals will meet #7W-Florida who kept #3W-Marquette at bay most of the game. Although when the Golden Eagles went on a 6-0 run to pull within six late, the listless crowd and bored TBS announcers could have cared less. In the East, #4E-Wisconsin hit long shots while #1E-Syracuse hit short jumpers and in the end, the Badgers opted for a long three instead of a game-winning two sending the Orange into the Elite 8 for the first time since 2003. The Badgers only hit 7 2-pointers but nailed 14 of 27 3-pointers. Even when Wisconsin hit six consecutive 3-pointers in a 4-minute stretch in the middle of the second half, they only gained 10 points. The Orange will face #2E-Ohio St who was the only Big 10 team to beat a Big East (#6E-Cincy) team today.

Larzby once again is atop the standings (97 pts) building a 5-point lead. He was one of three entries to go 3-1 (along with Biggest Luther (6th-T, 86) and Lots of Losers (8th-T, 85), who was tied for 34th before today). Twenty-five (25) went 0-4 today with BallBusters2 and Bob Gnarly (95th-T, 69) losing all four Final Four teams. BallBusters2 moved from 11th-T to 8th-T but was eliminated since he has no Final Four teams left. He was one of 34 entries eliminated leaving exactly half (67) still alive for money. And exactly half of those who could win 1st were eliminated as 26 of 52 now can't win first. More eeriness? For the Bonus, the Big East now has 12 wins leaving exactly half with a chance to win it (67 of 134). Half about that?

Larzby now has an edge over Bigtenfan (2nd, 92) for first (31.1% to 29.7%) but Bigtenfan has the better chance to win something (73.8% to 60.0%). Nwspring 1 almost has a 50/50 chance (48.3%) to win money.

Please join our Facebook HWCI NCAA Pool Group or post comments on our blog. Here you can join the group and meet your competitors, make new friends, set up NCAA watching gatherings, and post stuff to the wall (pictures, witty comments, etc.).

Tids 'n' Bits- Bracket Buster was the only one to pick Cincy which would've helped him as he fell from 9th-T to 17th-T (82)... people were definitely affected by Syracuse's Fab Melo's injury as only 50 picked them to win (meaning those who entered early and stuck to their guns are sighing in relief)... just six picked Florida while 22 picked Louisville and 80 picked Ohio St... Michigan St was picked to win it all by 10 and once again the Spartans bit In It to Nguyen It (41st-T, 78) (who had a chance to win the pool but the Spartans lost to UNC in 2009's championship game) -- but she does have a chance for 6th place... Norm Chomsky is tied for 110th but can still win 1st thanks to his Kansas-Baylor final... 27 entries can't win money or the Bonus1...

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What? I now have to root for my wife's bracket? Sigh...
Scott