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IRL (In Real Life) => Sports => Topic started by: bayonetbrant on March 12, 2015, 08:45:10 AM

Title: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: bayonetbrant on March 12, 2015, 08:45:10 AM
Hey guys, here's the thread for this year's NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge

Here's the page to enter your bracket (http://games.espn.go.com/tournament-challenge-bracket/2015/en/group?groupID=668749)

The group is up - we're "Grogheads 2015" and the password is wolfpack  O0

You can't enter anything before this weekend when the brackets are announced.

It's set for 2 entries / person, but that's only so I can create the usual "Straight Chalk" bracket that lets you compare against the tournament seeding.  Anyone entering 2 'legit' brackets will have both DQ'ed.

No idea what the prizes will be, but we'll come up with our usual "something" out of the grab-bag

I'll post daily updates each morning after games are played starting the morning of 3/20.
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: Bison on March 13, 2015, 08:35:57 PM
password is actually wolfpack 

lowercase w.  Is this when we start making fun of a North Carolina education?
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: bayonetbrant on March 15, 2015, 05:31:40 PM
Brackets are being announced now.  You should be able to start getting your picks in within the hour.
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: Bison on March 16, 2015, 11:38:06 PM
My bracket is done, but I didn't watch much basketball this year so it's all wild guesses.  Not that it'd be different in a year I actually watched more than one game.  :(
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: Centurion40 on March 17, 2015, 08:31:08 AM
I've consulted the oracles, and made my picks.
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: bayonetbrant on March 17, 2015, 08:52:03 AM
here's some analysis (http://grantland.com/the-triangle/ncaa-tournament-selection-sunday-winners-and-losers-duke-virginia-kentucky-arizona-kansas/), along with a perfect line summing up the tournament at the end

QuoteDamn. Just realized every team got placed in Kentucky's tournament. That's brutal luck there.
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: bayonetbrant on March 17, 2015, 09:24:08 AM
here's some help with your picks, too

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2396232-2015-ncaa-bracket-predictions-best-picks-for-every-matchup

So I like that he's delusional enough to pick NC State late into the tournament.  But he is delusional.  Sigh.  They're going to the Final Four, not bombing out in the second weekend.
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: BanzaiCat on March 17, 2015, 09:42:02 AM
Meh, analysis is for wimps. I just clicked a bunch of teams randomly. :)
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: Marty Ward on March 17, 2015, 11:09:34 AM
My picks are in and last place is secured. I just hope I do better than last year when my Champ went out in the round of 32!
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: Centurion40 on March 17, 2015, 11:24:07 AM
Quote from: Banzai_Cat on March 17, 2015, 09:42:02 AM
Meh, analysis is for wimps. I just clicked a bunch of teams randomly. :)

Bingo.  There is always a wild card getting further than they should.

I'm counting on Louisville and UK to choke in the Sweet Sixteen.  But I made that same mistake last year. 

The oracles tell me that Gonzaga is going all the way.
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: BanzaiCat on March 17, 2015, 03:23:09 PM
I think I picked Utah as the final winner. I know Utah basketball from kosher sausage.
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: Electric_Strawberry on March 17, 2015, 06:20:56 PM
Let me get this straight...The Big 10 actually has 14 teams...the BIG 12, which used to be known as the Big 8, actually has 10 teams.  And some people wonder why math scores in this country are declining.  Go figure.
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: MetalDog on March 17, 2015, 08:54:10 PM
I swore I wasn't going to fill one of these out this year, but, with an opportunity to be at least one better than someone here and lord it over them, how could I resist?!
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: BanzaiCat on March 17, 2015, 09:19:03 PM
Quote from: MetalDog on March 17, 2015, 08:54:10 PM
I swore I wasn't going to fill one of these out this year, but, with an opportunity to be at least one better than someone here and lord it over them, how could I resist?!

I know, right? With all the bracket everyone's making, it's hard to ignore!  ;D
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: Bison on March 17, 2015, 10:19:12 PM
I'm going to go out on a limb and say Brant picked Ohio State to win it all.
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: MetalDog on March 17, 2015, 10:34:31 PM
Really, Bison?  The password is WOLFPACK fer cryin' out loud!  Of COURSE he picked North Carolina to win it all!!
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: bayonetbrant on March 18, 2015, 05:46:17 AM
youse guys be loco ;)
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: bayonetbrant on March 18, 2015, 09:27:09 AM
Quote from: Electric_Strawberry on March 17, 2015, 06:20:56 PM
Let me get this straight...The Big 10 actually has 14 teams...the BIG 12, which used to be known as the Big 8, actually has 10 teams.  And some people wonder why math scores in this country are declining.  Go figure.

Well, the Big 8 became the Big XII when they did, in fact, have 12 teams.
And one of the reasons for the numerical mismatch is that a Big XII team left for the Big 10 a few years ago.
At least teh Pac 12 updated their name...
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: bayonetbrant on March 18, 2015, 09:27:44 AM
Quote from: Bison on March 16, 2015, 11:38:06 PM
My bracket is done, but I didn't watch much basketball this year so it's all wild guesses.  Not that it'd be different in a year I actually watched more than one game.  :(

Dude, you won last year.  Don't sell yourself short :)
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: airboy on March 18, 2015, 06:36:57 PM
Picks are in.  Spent very little time at it.  About all of the basketball I watched this year were Auburn games live.  But I saw every AU home game but 2.  More than 75% of the Women's home games also.  I went somewhat with my heart in earlier rounds - but not so much in the final 4.

My chances of winning the office pool are close to 0% because some of those guys are pros and I picked a favorite to win.  You don't win large pools by betting on favorites to win the national championship - unless you can just sheer out-pick people in the first 2 rounds or so.  I've read some statistics on this and also observed office pools for 30 years.
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: bayonetbrant on March 18, 2015, 08:06:41 PM
I tried to pick from bottom up.  Lots of people pick their finals and then back up from there.  I try to pick the results of each game as they'd happen, and then for shits & giggles put NC State in the Final Four :D
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: bayonetbrant on March 19, 2015, 08:27:12 AM
OK, the First Four (lamest title, ever) is over, so every team is set in the field.

Go get your brackets finalized and let's get the Kentucky Coronation over with :)
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: airboy on March 19, 2015, 08:49:48 AM
YIKES!!  Almost did not get in the group.  Grogheads 2014 was on my "list of groups" and I just checked it an thought I was done.  Double-checked this morning, saw I was the only member - and realized that I needed to find the new group.

Suggestion - next year just call the group "Grogheads" and everyone should be able to just join the group with one click.

Just for laughs, my office group name is "What's Auburn's Seed?"
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: bayonetbrant on March 19, 2015, 09:27:24 AM
I was trying to draw the distinction btw years b/c 2 years ago I almost re-entered the 2012 bracket instead of the 2013 one.  So ever since hten, I've added the year to make sure people see the right one
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: Marty Ward on March 19, 2015, 10:02:50 AM
I knew I had the right one because Maryland was in it! :)
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: bayonetbrant on March 19, 2015, 02:13:17 PM
woohoo!  ALREADY SCREWED!


Iowa State goes down in game #2, and with that, I'm getting going ahead and getting screwed early to avoid the rush :D
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: BanzaiCat on March 19, 2015, 02:15:06 PM
Well looky there. My first rando pick, Notre Dame, won. And look who's at the top of the bracket.

For now. I'm sure that will change. ;)
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: Electric_Strawberry on March 19, 2015, 03:59:47 PM
Quote from: bayonetbrant on March 18, 2015, 09:27:09 AM
Quote from: Electric_Strawberry on March 17, 2015, 06:20:56 PM
Let me get this straight...The Big 10 actually has 14 teams...the BIG 12, which used to be known as the Big 8, actually has 10 teams.  And some people wonder why math scores in this country are declining.  Go figure.

Well, the Big 8 became the Big XII when they did, in fact, have 12 teams.
And one of the reasons for the numerical mismatch is that a Big XII team left for the Big 10 a few years ago.
At least teh Pac 12 updated their name...

My comments about the Big 10 and Big 12 were tongue in cheek meant to show how ridiculous the rush to realignment has become.  I'm originally from the Kansas City area and know very well the history of the Big 8 and Big 10.  In fact, my interest in college basketball goes back to when Ohio State and Cincinnati used to fight it out for the National Championship in the early 60's.  Hell, I even remember when Wilt Chamberlain played for Kansas.  Yeah...I'm ancient ;D.

Speaking of the Big 8/12, my bracket got busted by Iowa State losing today.
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: OJsDad on March 19, 2015, 07:01:14 PM
During WWII, grandpa said that the Big10 only had 9 schools, they would use that fact as a way of trying to figure out if Germans were trying to infiltrate US lines by asking how many schools were in the Big10. 
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: MetalDog on March 19, 2015, 07:24:02 PM
Looks like Iowa State got several of us.  :(
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: airboy on March 19, 2015, 08:32:14 PM
Quote from: MetalDog on March 19, 2015, 07:24:02 PM
Looks like Iowa State got several of us.  :(

I blame Dook hatred.  Dook can't win the region.  Somebody must win the region.  I don't hate Iowa State (before today).  I pick Iowa State to go to the final 4.  I get hosed.
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: Bison on March 19, 2015, 09:37:51 PM
Baylor hosed me.  I picked Iowa State but I should have known they blew their tournament wad when they beat Kansas in the Big 12 title game. 
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: bayonetbrant on March 19, 2015, 10:12:03 PM
State's trying to give me a heart attack
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: bayonetbrant on March 19, 2015, 10:45:30 PM
¡¡HOLY PACK!!!!1!1!11!!1!!
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: bayonetbrant on March 19, 2015, 10:46:59 PM
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/s843x403/11066524_10153201219058384_8290223822571165378_n.jpg?oh=1242929f7c0186fca7420f53a8379412&oe=557391AF&__gda__=1434343097_43207c35f1a532ed3d80a75a68bc7760)
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: BanzaiCat on March 20, 2015, 06:02:19 AM
Aaaaaaand last place, about where I expected to be, bringing down the group average to boot.  :2funny:
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: KyzBP on March 20, 2015, 06:06:00 AM
I only missed one yesterday.  That was some awesome guessing.  I predict today will even everything out.  ;)
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: bayonetbrant on March 20, 2015, 06:17:18 AM
After day 1


RANK  BRACKET, OWNER        R64     R32  S16   E8     F4   NCG    CHAMPION     PPR     TOTAL
1     KyzBP                 140     0     0     0     0     0     Kentucky     1740     140
2*    Straight Chalk        120     0     0     0     0     0     Kentucky     1720     120
2*    bayonetbrant          120     0     0     0     0     0     Kentucky     1680     120
4*    Marty Ward            110     0     0     0     0     0     Kentucky     1720     110
4*    stophro               110     0     0     0     0     0     Kentucky     1700     110
4*    Electric_Strawberry   110     0     0     0     0     0     Kentucky     1400     110
7*    36Bison               100     0     0     0     0     0     Kentucky     1680     100
7*    40Cent                100     0     0     0     0     0     Gonzaga      1580     100
9     avery knows dook sucks 90     0     0     0     0     0     Kentucky     1560      90
10    Banzai_Cat             80     0     0     0     0     0     Utah         1580      80
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: Centurion40 on March 20, 2015, 07:53:00 AM
Quote from: Banzai_Cat on March 20, 2015, 06:02:19 AM
Aaaaaaand last place, about where I expected to be, bringing down the group average to boot.  :2funny:

Don't worry, I'll drop like a rock soon enough.  I picked Purdue to make it to the Sweet 16.
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: bayonetbrant on March 20, 2015, 08:54:31 AM
oh UCLA... 

QuoteAnd we had UCLA and SMU bringing us a dose of insanity, starting with the matchup itself. UCLA's place in this tournament is a mystery. Even some UCLA fans don't seem to understand it. But you know what they say about a gift horse: If you walk behind it, watch your step. Also, don't look it in the mouth. Anyway, after earning a bid by not really earning it, UCLA won its first game by missing a shot at the end, which is sort of perfect, I guess.
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: airboy on March 20, 2015, 10:33:00 AM
This is a new low for me.  I picked Iowa State for the Final 4 and Baylor to make it to the round of 8.  I am so hosed.
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: bayonetbrant on March 20, 2015, 10:36:48 AM
yeah, bad day overall for the Big XII and the state of Texas
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: Bison on March 20, 2015, 03:02:43 PM
Big XII is choking it up and Wichita State is not playing up to par early.
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: airboy on March 21, 2015, 08:42:03 PM
Congrats to State for beating Villanova.

My picks really suck this year.
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: Bison on March 21, 2015, 08:44:37 PM
Several good games today.  Utah is giving Georgetown a hell of a game.
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: bayonetbrant on March 21, 2015, 09:37:12 PM
w00t!  WOLFPACK!
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: bayonetbrant on March 21, 2015, 10:00:43 PM
(https://scontent-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/p720x720/1535552_10152818172056006_1235971277705861291_n.jpg?oh=0bc7039870535bd1f23ebcdbbf928dcc&oe=5579A2B7)
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: bayonetbrant on March 22, 2015, 06:39:46 AM

RANK  BRACKET, OWNER        R64    R32   S16  E8    F4  NCG   CHAMPION    PPR    TOTAL    PCT
1    KyzBP                  280    100    0    0    0    0    Kentucky    1320    380    99.2
2    Straight Chalk         270     80    0    0    0    0    Kentucky    1160    350    90.9
3    bayonetbrant           240    100    0    0    0    0    Kentucky    1380    340    81.9
4*   Marty Ward             230     80    0    0    0    0    Kentucky    1320    310    50.3
4*   Electric_Strawberry    230     80    0    0    0    0    Kentucky    1120    310    50.3
6    stophro                240     60    0    0    0    0    Kentucky    1380    300    39.5
7*   36Bison                230     60    0    0    0    0    Kentucky    1360    290    29.9
7*   avery knows dook sucks 210     80    0    0    0    0    Kentucky    1000    290    29.9
9    40Cent                 210     60    0    0    0    0     Gonzaga    1280    270    15.7
10   Banzai_Cat             170     60    0    0    0    0        Utah    1140    230     4.4



Straight Chalk is hanging tough!
PPR gets important at this point, and KzyBP, MD, Bison and I are all pretty close there.  Surprisingly, Airboy has fewer PPR than B_C, even with having UK in the final.

Airboy, did you have one of your grad students make your picks for you?!  :o
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: MetalDog on March 22, 2015, 02:43:53 PM
I just looked at all the brackets, and, with the exception of B_C and straight chalk, EVERYBODY had Michigan State getting at least as far as the Sweet Sixteen.  WTF?!?!?!  Why you boys be copyin' me?!?!!!!!??!?!!
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: BanzaiCat on March 22, 2015, 04:06:33 PM
I've said it before: I just made random choices. And it shows!  O0
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: bayonetbrant on March 23, 2015, 05:37:50 AM

RANK  BRACKET, OWNER        R64    R32   S16  E8    F4  NCG   CHAMPION    PPR    TOTAL    PCT
1    KyzBP                  280    240    0    0    0    0    Kentucky    1160    520    99.9
2    Straight Chalk         270    180    0    0    0    0    Kentucky     920    450    85.8
3    bayonetbrant           240    200    0    0    0    0    Kentucky    1240    440    77.0
4*   Bison                  230    200    0    0    0    0    Kentucky    1200    430    68.7
4*   Electric_Strawberry    230    200    0    0    0    0    Kentucky     920    430    68.7
4*   avery knows dook sucks 210    220    0    0    0    0    Kentucky     840    430    68.7
7    stophro                240    180    0    0    0    0    Kentucky    1240    420    59.7
8    Marty Ward             230    180    0    0    0    0    Kentucky    1120    410    50.6
9    40Cent                 210    180    0    0    0    0     Gonzaga    1080    390    34.1
10   Banzai_Cat             170     80    0    0    0    0        Utah     680    250     2.1



B-C continues to commit hari-kari...
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: BanzaiCat on March 23, 2015, 07:00:47 AM
I expected no more, no less. (https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffc06.deviantart.net%2Ffs38%2Ff%2F2008%2F360%2F7%2F5%2FSamurai_Smiley_by_yoshin2501.png&hash=05524329bcb01e058b9a3206c2f8d5c9d22e21c7)
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: Marty Ward on March 23, 2015, 12:13:48 PM
Well I may have made sucky picks but I'm doing better than the Prez is! In fact almost everyone in our tourney is doing better than him.

http://games.espn.go.com/tournament-challenge-bracket/2015/en/entry?entryID=6674346
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: Electric_Strawberry on March 23, 2015, 05:09:49 PM
My excuse is I drank the Big XII Kool Aid. :-[
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: bayonetbrant on March 23, 2015, 06:22:21 PM
Mine is that I believe in my alma mater - so far, so good!  :)
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: bayonetbrant on March 23, 2015, 06:52:37 PM
here's an interesting article about some of the betting lines
http://espn.go.com/chalk/story/_/id/12543118/kentucky-wildcats-upstart-nc-state-wolfpack-vegas-attention

Back in February, when NC State lost to Wake Forest, they were 14-11 and a 2000-1 bet to win the nat'l title.  Some dude dropped $300 on them at that point.
They're 3 winnable games from playing for it, including a rematch against a L'uhvul team they already beat on the road once.
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: MetalDog on March 23, 2015, 07:01:51 PM
Settle down there, alumna.  There will be no puppy power all the way to the final.  Mark my words.
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: bayonetbrant on March 23, 2015, 10:17:16 PM
I'm sure they'll crash & burn against Mich St.  Tom Izzo is something like 11-1 on the second game of any given weekend (rd of 32, Elite 8 ).  His teams turn around their game plan faster than anyone on the planet.
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: BanzaiCat on March 24, 2015, 05:42:07 AM
Ha...I'm surprised that my 'winner' is in the Sweet 16 now (Utah). I only have three other 'winners' that advanced...4 teams out of 64? LOL, better than I thought I'd do.  :idiot2:
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: bayonetbrant on March 24, 2015, 03:55:44 PM
some hilarious analysis of the tournament thus far. (http://grantland.com/the-triangle/titus-20-ncaa-tournament-observations-kentucky-wildcats-bob-huggins-west-virginia-mountaineers-arizona-wildcats-gabe-york-dangelo-russell-stanley-johnson-ohio-state-buckeyes-wisconsin-badgers/)

Despite being an Ohio St alum, Mark Titus might have to go on my "must read" list


QuoteRon Hunter has coached in two NCAA tournaments. When he clinched his first appearance while coaching at IUPUI in 2003, he put two holes in his dress pants from doing a celebratory belly flop. When he clinched his second tourney appearance this year with Georgia State, he tore his Achilles while celebrating. When his son hit the game-winning 3 to give Hunter his first career NCAA tournament win, he fell off his stool and broke the cast that was helping to heal his Achilles. And when the Panthers' season came to an end against Xavier on Saturday night, Hunter broke down crying, possibly because that game might have been the last time he'll coach his son.

Here's a rule I'd like to propose to improve college basketball: Involve Ron Hunter in every NCAA tournament for the rest of time.



QuoteAssuming Kentucky doesn't completely crap the bed, there are only a handful of teams in the country that could take down the Cats. And Kentucky has to play only two of them, at most. Villanova and Virginia are out, Arizona and Wisconsin will have to play each other before the Final Four, and the same goes for Duke and Gonzaga. This is why I say we take the selection committee's 1-68 list and Street Fighter this sumbitch. Kentucky starts at team 68 and moves up the list with each win until it reaches the top. And what happens when it runs the table and ends up 101-0? It goes up against the final boss, which is — you guessed it — the Philadelphia 76ers.




QuotePower rankings of the three worst calls of the tournament's first weekend:

1. The goaltending call at the end of SMU-UCLA. That was so bad that anyone who believes it was a good call should have to go door to door every time they move and tell their neighbors how they feel about the call. "Hi, sir. Sorry to bother you. I just moved in next door and I'm required by law to let you know that I thought the goaltend at the end of SMU-UCLA was the right call."

2. The technical called on Ed Cooley for yelling at his own players. We've now reached a point when someone could say, "Remember that time recently when a coach got a tech in the NCAA tournament for yelling at his own guys?" and you could respond, "Which one?"

3. Each of the 3,409,782,345 charges that have been called this tournament, including this one that easily could've blown out Kennedy Meeks's knee


some of his other columns are hilarious, too.  I already linked the selection sunday analysis above.  Here's one where he's part of a group of journalists (http://grantland.com/the-triangle/ncaa-basketball-power-rankings-march-madness-tournament-selection-sunday-kentucky-wildcats-wisconsin-badgers-duke-blue-devils-villanova-wildcats-virginia-cavaliers-gonzaga-bulldogs-dick-vitale-arizona/) going through the exercise of building and seeding the tournament that's got some awesome moments in it, too

QuoteDuring the bracketing process, it was brought to my attention that we'd given Baylor a 4-seed and Valparaiso a 13-seed, meaning a potential brother vs. brother head-coaching matchup between Scott and Bryce Drew was possible. Mandel and I were cochairs of the mock committee and had yet to make any executive decisions, so I decided to put my foot down and make the Drew vs. Drew game happen, even though it meant sending Valpo to Jacksonville for its first game when a spot was open in Louisville. The NCAA officials laughed and said this would never happen in real life. I kept a straight face and told them that maybe it should.

They replied that the only way they'd even acknowledge a potential brother-vs.-brother game was to avoid it, since it might be a distraction for the coaches. Keep in mind that this is coming from the same people who make Louisville play Kentucky, North Carolina play Kansas, and Villanova and Iowa State play the eventual national champion every freaking year.


QuoteThe mock selection committee had Oklahoma ranked as the best 3-seed and had Notre Dame as the worst 4-seed. A small contingent wanted to put Oklahoma State above Notre Dame, which would've bumped the Irish down to a 5-seed. This is the same Notre Dame team that holds a 23-4 record. It has sole possession of second place in the toughest conference in America. It beat Duke and won at North Carolina. It has no bad losses. I wouldn't blame you one bit if reading all of this makes you question the validity of the mock selection process. I had a similar reaction. At one point, I got so upset with Notre Dame's ranking on our board that I turned to Mandel and asked him if everyone on the committee was shitting me. Mandel confirmed that there was no shitting going on. The committee seriously thought that Oklahoma was seven spots better than Notre Dame. YET SOMEHOW I'M THE CRAZY ONE.

---SNIP---

A 23-4 ACC TEAM WAS ALMOST GIVEN A 5-SEED AND I WAS THE ONLY PERSON IN A ROOM WITH ABOUT 40 COLLEGE BASKETBALL PEOPLE WHO SEEMED TO CARE. I hope everyone on the mock committee is reading this, I hope they're sorry, and I hope the tears they cry as they write their apology notes dry out their skin.



QuoteI couldn't believe no one would consider bumping down the Blue Devils to accommodate the Buzzcuts and Zags. At its best, Duke might be better than anyone. But are we really going to ignore that 16-point home loss to Miami? Hell, Duke's second-worst loss of the season — by 12 at NC State — is still worse than any of the other potential 1-seeds' losses.4

It was as if the mock selection committee had been so preoccupied by this shiny toy (wins at Virginia and Wisconsin) that its members didn't notice the kitchen was on fire. If it wasn't already obvious from how our committee treated Oklahoma, good wins carried more weight than bad losses, which is a line of thought that some real committee members said they share. As one of the actual committee members put it: "I care more about who you can beat than who can beat you." This bodes well for Duke, who can beat anyone.

The Dick's Degrees of Separation is pretty damned funny, too.



Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: Centurion40 on March 25, 2015, 08:17:05 AM
Quote from: bayonetbrant on March 23, 2015, 05:37:50 AM

RANK  BRACKET, OWNER        R64    R32   S16  E8    F4  NCG   CHAMPION    PPR    TOTAL    PCT
1    KyzBP                  280    240    0    0    0    0    Kentucky    1160    520    99.9
2    Straight Chalk         270    180    0    0    0    0    Kentucky     920    450    85.8
3    bayonetbrant           240    200    0    0    0    0    Kentucky    1240    440    77.0
4*   Bison                  230    200    0    0    0    0    Kentucky    1200    430    68.7
4*   Electric_Strawberry    230    200    0    0    0    0    Kentucky     920    430    68.7
4*   avery knows dook sucks 210    220    0    0    0    0    Kentucky     840    430    68.7
7    stophro                240    180    0    0    0    0    Kentucky    1240    420    59.7
8    Marty Ward             230    180    0    0    0    0    Kentucky    1120    410    50.6
9    40Cent                 210    180    0    0    0    0     Gonzaga    1080    390    34.1
10   Banzai_Cat             170     80    0    0    0    0        Utah     680    250     2.1



B-C continues to commit hari-kari...

But I'm catching up, FAST!
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: bayonetbrant on March 26, 2015, 09:32:50 PM
Watching WVU-UK

They're not even 15 minutes in, and UK is up by 22.

They should've made the Wildcats play in street clothes to keep it in the teens.
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: bayonetbrant on March 26, 2015, 09:47:46 PM
I think WVU's 'strategy' was concocted by their starting five: "If we foul out in the first half, we won't be on the court to get our asses kicked by 45 in the second half"
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: MetalDog on March 26, 2015, 10:13:38 PM
Huggy Bear was 8 and 2 against Calipari before this.
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: bayonetbrant on March 26, 2015, 10:26:20 PM
this ought to count for 2, at least.

WVU has scored 1 point in the second half in over 6 minutes.  And committed 7 fouls.
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: MetalDog on March 26, 2015, 10:32:21 PM
The local sports guy on the radio was talking to a handicapper about this game.  The line was 13 1/2.  The handicapper, Brandon Lang (from the movie Two for the Money (with Pacino, McConaughey and Rene Russo)), liked West Virginia to keep it close.  Mostly due to Huggin's 8 & 2 record against Cal.  The sports guy said, "I'll give the 13 and a 1/2 with the 'A' squad and then with the 'B' squad.  Kentucky will be up by 30 in the second half"
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: bayonetbrant on March 26, 2015, 10:35:58 PM
Right now, WVU could go on a 31-0 run and still be losing.
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: bayonetbrant on March 27, 2015, 05:32:02 AM

RANK BRACKET                 R64    R32    S16   E8    F4  NCG   CHAMPION    PPR    TOTAL    PCT
1    KyzBP                   280    240    120    0    0    0    Kentucky    1000    640    98.9
2    bayonetbrant            240    200    160    0    0    0    Kentucky    1080    600    90.8
3    stophro                 240    180    160    0    0    0    Kentucky    1080    580    82.0
4    Straight Chalk          270    180    120    0    0    0    Kentucky     800    570    76.6
5*   Bison                   230    200    120    0    0    0    Kentucky    1080    550    62.6
5*   avery knows dook sucks  210    220    120    0    0    0    Kentucky     720    550    62.6
7    Marty Ward              230    180    120    0    0    0    Kentucky    1000    530    50.4
8    Electric_Strawberry     230    200     80    0    0    0    Kentucky     840    510    39.2
9    40Cent                  210    180     80    0    0    0     Gonzaga    1000    470    22.2
10   Banzai_Cat              170     80     80    0    0    0        Utah     600    330     3.2


It's all going to come down to the non-Kentucky games at this point
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: BanzaiCat on March 27, 2015, 05:32:50 AM
Gee. Something tells me...I'm out of contention on this one.  :buck2:
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: Centurion40 on March 27, 2015, 07:31:04 AM
At least you are keeping me out of the cellar!
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: airboy on March 28, 2015, 08:06:08 PM
I'm (very briefly) in the top 20% nationally!!!!  But this will all come crashing down since I can only have 2 picks right in the Final 4 (Wisconsin & Kentucky).  Hope Gonzaga beats Dook regardless of where that places me overall.

Both UNC & NCSU played well in their final games.
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: airboy on March 30, 2015, 08:21:19 AM
Bison & I tie!!!!  For middle-place!!!!
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: MetalDog on March 30, 2015, 11:32:20 AM
I was hoping Gonzaga would help me out and get rid of the Dookies for me, now, I have to rely on Izzo.
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: Marty Ward on March 30, 2015, 01:14:12 PM
3 out of 4 #1's made it to the Final 4. It's been a while since that happened.
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: bayonetbrant on March 30, 2015, 08:20:16 PM
Mark Titus is my new favorite writer (http://grantland.com/the-triangle/ncaa-tournament-sweet-16-elite-8-wisconsin-sam-dekker-frank-kaminsky-kentucky-wildcats-notre-dame-jerian-grant-duke-blue-devils-justise-winslow/)

QuoteSo when Xavier played Arizona on Thursday night, most of America got their first taste of Matt Stainbrook. It's fair to say they liked what they saw. The combination of the game tipping at 10:30 p.m. ET, Stainbrook operating at peak Stainbrook, and TBS accidentally forgetting to mute Reggie Miller's mic led to millions of viewers thinking, Am I hallucinating, or is an Uber driver with goggles and a patchy beard who can't jump over a phone book tearing up one of the best frontcourts in college basketball?


QuoteIf Wisconsin held an auction in which the highest bidder got to ride mopeds, play FIFA, eat cheese curds, drink Spotted Cows, and do whatever else happens when you hang with the Buzzcuts for a week, I'd bid somewhere in the neighborhood of $7 billion.


QuoteWe take Notre Dame's mascot for granted.

Every single year for the last half-century, Notre Dame has found at least one student who is short, has red hair, can grow a beard, is smart enough to get into Notre Dame, and who is willing to appear on national television dressed up like a cartoon character from a cereal box. That's amazing.
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: bayonetbrant on April 04, 2015, 10:17:59 PM
WINNER WINNER - SUCKITALLAYOUSE!

Yes, there's still another game to play, but none of us have an PPR, and I'm on top.  So I'm calling it!  :)
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: bayonetbrant on April 04, 2015, 10:19:35 PM
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: Bison on April 04, 2015, 10:55:55 PM
I'm so freaking happy Wisconsin beat Kentucky.  I dislike the Kentucky coach as much as I do the Alabama football coach.  Jackasses the both of them.
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: bayonetbrant on April 05, 2015, 10:06:41 AM
(https://scontent-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/11095402_10205745778862610_3628898560349371729_n.jpg?oh=f7173afbcd4c8be82e3f5e7d2de677a5&oe=55AAEDF9)
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: bayonetbrant on April 05, 2015, 10:08:11 AM
Sam Dekker is like a taller Bobby Sura with more attitude and a worse haircut.  He won't get drafted nearly as high as he should based on the tournament, but he will also take a year or two to settle into NBA defenses, which will lead everyone to proclaim after his rookie year that he's a bust.
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: airboy on April 05, 2015, 11:22:28 AM
Wisconsin really, really, really needs to beat Dook.

Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: MetalDog on April 05, 2015, 06:28:15 PM
^Agreed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And congrats, Brant. 
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: bayonetbrant on April 05, 2015, 06:53:53 PM
I'd rather win because I made some brilliant picks somewhere - like when I rode Michigan to the Final Four to win 2 years ago.  I'd rather not win by default just b/c I suck less than everyone else.  But, it's still a win :)
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: MetalDog on April 05, 2015, 06:58:15 PM
As much as I agree with that sentiment, I'd like to have done something brilliant to have won, the operative words in that sentiment are, you won.  And that's all that matters.  Congrats again.
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: Marty Ward on April 06, 2015, 08:54:21 AM
Congrats.

Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: Bison on April 06, 2015, 09:49:28 AM
Congrats Brant.
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: BanzaiCat on April 06, 2015, 12:28:21 PM
Congrats!
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: bayonetbrant on April 07, 2015, 09:15:34 AM
final standings, now official.

thanks everyone!  let's do it again next year! :)
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: Marty Ward on April 07, 2015, 09:44:05 AM
Quote from: bayonetbrant on April 07, 2015, 09:15:34 AM
final standings, now official.

thanks everyone!  let's do it again next year! :)

Ok. I'll make my picks now. I can't do any worse! :)
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: BanzaiCat on April 07, 2015, 11:12:12 AM
Quote from: Marty Ward on April 07, 2015, 09:44:05 AM
Ok. I'll make my picks now. I can't do any worse! :)

+ one billion
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: airboy on April 07, 2015, 09:19:50 PM
Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.
Evil Triumphing the Day after Easter??
Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: MetalDog on April 07, 2015, 10:52:19 PM
I feel your pain.  ALL of Tobacco Road is anathema!
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: bayonetbrant on April 08, 2015, 05:14:48 AM
Quote from: MetalDog on April 07, 2015, 10:52:19 PM
I feel your pain.  ALL of Tobacco Road is anathema!

suckit
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: BanzaiCat on April 08, 2015, 07:32:22 AM
Brant from high school

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.mlive.com%2Fflintjournal%2Fentertainment%2F2008%2F02%2Flarge_nns-movies-ferrell_all.jpeg.JPG&hash=ea006ce93c9834500f443e0bbf5329f982b480b1)
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: Centurion40 on April 08, 2015, 08:49:36 AM
Sing "Love Me Sexy"!!
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: bayonetbrant on April 08, 2015, 08:54:01 AM
Don't ever associate me with Will Ferrell.  There are very few actors in Hollywood I like less than that guy.
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: BanzaiCat on April 08, 2015, 09:20:01 AM
I'd have photoshopped you had I known of a pic of you I could have used. I was going for the 'fro and basketball more than anything else, sheesh.
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: Centurion40 on April 08, 2015, 09:24:56 AM
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.maniadb.com%2Fimages%2Falbum%2F186%2F186626_1_f.jpg&hash=78ede0a56ae1aa8e054a38d173fbed577cf2b3c3)
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: Centurion40 on April 08, 2015, 09:25:46 AM
Quote from: bayonetbrant on April 08, 2015, 08:54:01 AM
Don't ever associate me with Will Ferrell.  There are very few actors in Hollywood I like less than that guy.

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.spectatortribune.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fsemi-pro-for-web.jpg&hash=d8d2448b44244598a6ef7b575b21f9697d1bf31f)
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: OJsDad on April 08, 2015, 10:44:11 AM
Does Chevy work better for ya

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fletchwon.net%2Ffletchfro.jpg&hash=66cf978e3edf7819723ec1a8e19bcd8cc231cdbf)
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: Electric_Strawberry on April 09, 2015, 06:06:31 PM
Congrats Brant!
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: OJsDad on April 09, 2015, 08:38:02 PM
I see where the seven leading scorer from Kentucky are leaving.  I wonder how that will play for the team next year.  Will they be able to reload and compete.
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: MetalDog on April 09, 2015, 10:06:25 PM
Sucks for Avery Johnson.  Half the Rivals.com Top 10 haven't committed yet.  And hearing that Kentucky has seven spots open for next year, I think Calipari has the inside track.
Title: Re: 4th Annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge
Post by: KyzBP on May 27, 2015, 03:03:38 AM
Quote from: bayonetbrant on April 04, 2015, 10:17:59 PM
WINNER WINNER - SUCKITALLAYOUSE!

Yes, there's still another game to play, but none of us have an PPR, and I'm on top.  So I'm calling it!  :)

I just realized (yep, just now) I never congratulated you on your win.  See ya next year.

(Notice how I still didn't actually congratulate you.  ;) )
.
.
.
.
.
Congrats.