CERRITOS/EL SEGUNDO, CA (smt)- Whereas last year the Big 12 ruled with 14 wins and two teams in the Final Four, this year the ACC (13-4) sent two teams to the Final Four and will be the winningest conference. Depending how Duke and Georgia Tech fare, the ACC will end up with 13, 14, 15, or 16 wins. Of the flip side, the once mighty Pac 10 sent only 3 teams and finished 1-3.

Last year was the first year the Bonus Prize was implemented and THE FABO9ERS was the loser (11th place) who won the $40 via the tiebreaker. Eleven entries still had a chance going into the Final Game. This year, once again someone will win the Bonus Prize (depriving the Pool Champion at a chance for $390) with 68 entries correctly picking in some part the ACC as the winningest conference. It looked like the Big 12 may pull it off again but Kansas lost to Georgia Tech (and that could've thrown the Bonus Prize of $40 back into the pot since only three entries had the Big 12).

More than half (which is nearly every one of you) the entries (44) still have a chance to win the Bonus Prize of $40. Remember, the top 4 winners will be ineligible, so some entries may see their chances improve as the winners are taken out of the equation. Currently, 12 entries have correctly picked the ACC with 13 wins which would mean the winner will be determined via the total points in the final tiebreaker. Twelve picked the ACC with 14 wins, 11 with 15 wins, and if Georgia Tech and Duke win their Semifinal games, 9 picked the ACC with 16 wins.

HWCI NCAA Pool Bonus Prize Rules

So check out if your entry is still alive and maybe you'll actually have a reason to watch the championship game on Monday. Some, like ZIPPY, if the ACC finishes with 13 wins, will have to hope Oklahoma St. and UConn combine for exactly 121 points. Some like DEESKEE can win if the total points is 149 or higher. Some like OMG (if he doesn't finish 1st-4th), PINKBUBBLES, and XK2XBOILX will have to split the $40 prize ($13.33 each) if the total points is exactly 117.

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

HWCI NCAA Bonus Prize Scenarios

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Will the bonus winner be Albert, Bing, Bob, Brian, Chris, ...
Scott