CERRITOS, CA (smt)- Cliff T (LUCKORBUST, 1st, 114 pts), Roy W (KRISPY KREMER, 2nd-Tied, 112), Robinson C (FLIP FIGHTERS, 2nd-T), and Chuck H (ACE OF SPADES, 4th, 111) will all try to become the 2005 HWCI NCAA Pool Champion and claim the first place prize of $385 (or $400 if no one wins the Bonus Prize). No one is guaranteed money and eight others will try to claim a piece of the pie. KRISPY KREMER is in the best shape with a 50% chance for first while FLIP FIGHTERS has the best chance of taking home something (62.5%).

Robinson C will try to become the first person to win the Pool twice, albeit with his second of three entries (TEAM SAMURAI (79th, 76) and ROB'S ADDICTION (77th, 80) the others). Roy W has already won money because his second entry, KRISPY KREMER SECONDS (6th, 107), has a 37.5% chance to win money. Both entries can't win at the same time, but he is guaranteed at least $85 for 4th Place.

If Louisville beats Illinois, KRISPY KREMER wins 1st Place and FLIP FIGHTERS wins money, regardless what happens in the other semifinal or championship games. If Illinois wins it all, ACE OF SPADES wins first. The only tie situation is if UNC beats Illinois in the Final, there would be a 3-way tie for 4th place.

Complete Final Four Possibilities

As for the $40 Bonus Prize, here is the latest Conference Wins standings among the competing conferences.

      Teams Curr Max Poss
Conf.  Left Wins   Wins
------ ---- ---- -------
Big 10    2  11    14   (Illinois, Michigan St)
ACC       1  10    12   (UNC)

* If LOUISVILLE beats MICHIGAN ST in the Final, the BIG 10 will win with 12 wins.
    > DRNAISMITH will win the $40 prize

* If UNC beats LOUISVILLE in the Final, the ACC will win with 12 wins.
    > FLIP FIGHTERS (tie=96)
    > BRACKET BUSTER (tie=119)
    > JINX (tie=128)
    > YELLOW MONKEY (tie=135)
    > QUEENB (tie=142)
    > ANNIHILATOR44 (tie=159)
    > SOURCE (tie=169)

Note that FLIP FIGHTERS and YELLOW MONKEY would be ineligible because they would win 2nd and 4th Place, respectively, in this scenario. Also, remember that if two conferences tie (e.g., ACC & Big 10 with 12 wins), the person would also have to pick both conferences, which no one did. So only six entries could win the Bonus Prize whereas last year 22 entries were still eligible. A very odd year indeed.

Complete Bonus Prize Possibilities

Here's a reminder that if no one wins the Bonus Prize, this is the prize distribution:

              w/Bonus  w/o Bonus
              -------  ---------
1st Place   = $385.00  [$400.00]
2nd Place   = $185.00  [$195.00]
3rd Place   = $125.00  [$135.00]
4th Place   = $ 85.00  [$ 90.00]
Bonus Prize = $ 40.00