GOLETA/CERRITOS, CA (smt)- This is why you have to watch the games for the most enjoyment. 72-59. Looking at the score, it looks like #1E-UConn won handily. It does not say anything about the double-digit turnovers the Huskies committed and selfish play in allowing #16E-Albany to build a 12-point lead with 11 1/2 minutes left in the game. A 16 seed! Not against #1 Memphis or Villanova, but UConn. The score does not say anything about UConn's rapid 28-5 run to dash any hope of the ultimate upset. I'm glad to be finally watching games live. But it is very stressful though. But I have work to relieve the stress.

In other action, #14S-NW State stunned #3S-Iowa on a last second desperation 3 pointer (and would've been the game-tying shot if Iowa had hit their last free throw that set up the scenario) and #13E-Bradley was in control most of the game and held on to beat #4E-Kansas, who is turning back to the "old" Kansas, the chokers - their 2nd straight 1st round loss. I guess since Cincy didn't make the tourney, Kansas took the choker role again.

#2MW-Ohio St, #8MW-Arizona, #6S-West Virginia, #1W-Memphis, and #5W-Pitt rolled to easy victories while #1MW-Villanova and #2S-Texas struggled in low-scoring games to advance. #11E-George Mason, #9W-Bucknell, and #10S-NC State pulled off upsets while #10MW-Northern Iowa (vs. #7MW-Georgetown), #14W-Murray St. (vs. #3W-UNC), and #9E-UAB (vs. #8E-Kentucky) just fell short in their efforts.

The Big East dominated going 5-0 after going 0-3 yesterday. The ACC is 4-0 and the SEC is 5-1. Kentucky won their 16th straight 1st round match to become Mr. Dependable. #16 seeds might be 0-88 in the tournament but all four played their #1 counterparts even for at least the 1st half.

In the pool, where money talks, POOLRAIDER is all alone in 1st with 50 pts but 32 others are within four points. The last time the 1st round leader won the pool was in 2000 (Sam N's MORALES' MOUNDS) so it's not a good indicator. BRUINS4LIFE (50th-Tied, 42 pts), DTERP (2nd-T, 48), MR. WONDERFUL FC! (14th-T, 46), and SARGE (14th-T, 46) all went 13-3 today while VENDETTALESS tied a record low with a 7-9 record and is tied for last with ANGRY HAWAIIAN and KANAKAKIDZ with 34 pts. DTERP moved from a tie for 42nd to a tie for 2nd in one day. Just 5 picked George Mason, 4 picked NW St. and only three (BAMAG (14th-T, 46), POOLRAIDER, and MR. WONDERFUL FC!) picked Bradley.

Three entries are in deep trouble (THE RAT PACK (14th-T, 46), KEEP CHIEF ILLINIWEK (14th-T, 46), and G-DOGG (76th-T, 38)) as they only have 2 of 4 Final 4 teams alive. But 78 of the 85 entries have at least 6 of their Elite 8 teams so there are a lot of points to be picked up. BASKETBALL JONES (2nd-T, 48) is the only entry to have all 16 Sweet 16 teams alive. Only BOROTH CHAY (14th-T, 46) has lost his/her champion (Iowa). Both of Scott T's and his dad's entries are tied for 2nd (THE FABONOUS DOZEN, RACEAROUNDTHEWORLD and BELUCKY2ME and BELUCKY1), at least for the time being.

More info on the pool and prize money distribution on Monday or Tuesday or whenever I get some sleep.