CERRITOS/EL SEGUNDO, CA (smt)- The 10th HWCI NCAA Tournament Pool will see a 10th different person claim the top prize. Fourteen entries (a high of 17 were alive in 2002) still have a chance for at least $80. Three of the teams have a loyal following (23 have picked Duke, 22 UConn, and 21 OK St. to reach the final; only 2 have picked Georgia Tech) that some people hope will ride them into money. BINGO (4 in 8), FABIO (2 in 8), RANDOM PICKS (1 in 8), and SHIBBY SHAKE (1 in 8) have a chance to win the $370 top prize.

BINGO (4th year, 3rd '01, 4th '03) and RANDOM PICKS (3rd, 2nd '02) have won some money before. FABIO (3rd) and SHIBBY SHAKE (4th) will be trying to win money for the first time. Of the other ten entries, MARTHAS INSIDE PICKS and MRDUCKY are trying to win money in their 6th year. Interestingly, five of the entries still alive are a person's 2nd entry, not their 1st entry. Why is this interesting? Of the previous 25 people to enter twice (or 3 times), only one has won on their alternate (2nd or 3rd) entry (FREE FABONE (1st entry: THE FABONE V) in 1999). Four others have won on their first entry (despite entering 2 or 3 times).

In all nine previous pools, the HWCI NCAA Pool champion has been crowned after the Semifinals. The only way this will happen for a 10th straight year is if Duke wins vs UConn on Saturday- BINGO would win 1st place and DC944 wins 2nd or 3rd. But if that doesn't happen, then nervousness will arise on Monday's championship game. If UConn wins the championship, FABIO wins 1st and OMG 2nd. The only way BINGO goes home empty-handed is if UConn beats Georgia Tech in the final. RANDOM PICKS wins it all if UConn beats Oklahoma St. and SHIBBY SHAKE wins the pool if Oklahoma St. beats UConn. If the latter happens, there will be a 3-way tie for 3rd Place. Which means, that one could go home empty-handed (this would not be the case if the total points in the final is 140, then BINGO would take 3rd and JEDI MASTER ROB and STUDENT BODY RIGHT would share 4th Place).

1st Place   = $370
2nd Place   = $180
3rd Place   = $120
4th Place   = $ 80
Bonus Prize = $ 40

The Bonus Prize summary will be posted tomorrow. Or you can check the web site now without commentary.

HWCI NCAA Final Four Scenarios

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Will the champion be Bing, Rick, Jeff, or Troy?...
Scott