2005 HWCI NCAA Pool Update

The 11th HWCI NCAA Tournament Pool

2005 HWCI NCAA Pool Update

Saturday, April 2, 2005
Issue # 16.5.2 "Like it was Planned From the Start"
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ILLINOIS AND UNC TAKE CARE OF BUSINESS
Bonus gone, nine alive, and Champ up for grabs

CERRITOS, CA (smt)- After #4W-Louisville got within one, #1MW-Illinois used a 14-2 run to blow open the game, winning 72-57 to advance to the Final for the first-time ever. #1E-UNC used a 18-3 run to break open a 49 all game to advance to the Final, routing #5S-Michigan St., 87-71. The top two teams in the tournament will meet in the Final, as planned. It's just the road getting there was bumpy. This is also just the second time since our pool started that two #1 seeds will meet in the Final (last Duke v UConn in 1999).

Illinois' win was picked by 45 and it also eliminated UTAHPICKS (18th, 112) and YELLOW MONKEY (22nd-Tied, 109) as well as kicking out KRISPY KREMER (who had a 4 in 8 chance) (8th-T, 120) out of a first place pot that now will be $400. That's because Illinois' win meant that either the Big 10 will end with 13 wins or that both the Big 10 and ACC will end with 12 wins each. Neither of which were picked by anyone. So that means that the prize distribution has been upped for the top 4:


1st Place   = $400.00
2nd Place   = $195.00
3rd Place   = $135.00
4th Place   = $ 90.00
Bonus Prize = ---

In the other game, 36 picked UNC eliminating LUCKORBUST (4th-T, 122) from not only 1st, but any money at all. A record 20 entries (just 25 have done so before) went 2-0 and 21 went 0-2. This is the most competitive pool ever as we have a record nine (9!) people heading into the Final with a chance to win one of the top 4 prizes. This is the second straight year (after having the first nine HWCI NCAA Pool Champs decided after the Semis) that the HWCI NCAA Pool Champ will be decided in the Final.

ACE OF SPADES (2nd, 127) is the only person with a chance to win money in both scenarios, but if UNC wins, he'll have to win the tiebreaker to win 4th. BIRD LEGS (13th-T, 115) is still alive with a 1 in 2 chance (though she'd have to win the tiebreaker) after a 4 in 32,768 chance. This is also the first time no one is guaranteed money going into the Final (like I stated earlier, ACE could lose the tiebreaker). So either ACE will win (with a Illini victory) or current leader FLIP FIGHTERS (1st, 128) will take home the top prize.

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Just like I picked (for once)...
Scott