ROSEMEAD/CERRITOS, CA (smt)- #1S-Ohio St. broke out of 64-64 tie with a 10-2 run and then proceeded to hit their last 18 free throws (incredible) for a 92-76 win over #2S-Memphis to advance to their first Final Four since 1999.  #2W-UCLA never trailed in the second half and hit 10 of their last 12 free throws to close out the game on a 13-5 run in beating #1W-Kansas, 68-55.  The Bruins, with pool admin David F (THE MIGHTY MOBELFAKTA (65th-Tied, 105 pts)) reportedly in attendance in San Jose, make their second straight Final Four and have beaten Kansas all five times they have played in the tourney.

In the battle of win streaks (Ohio St. 20, Memphis 25), it was the Tigers who got into foul trouble allowing Ohio St. (and Greg Odem, thanks for finally showing up) to make their run.  Whereas Ohio St. had 2nd half deficits of 11 (Xavier) and 17 (Tennessee) in their previous two games, they only had a 5-point one today.  The Kansas-UCLA game was bizarre because there were an unusually high 32 steals and 45 turnovers and according to CBS, Kansas missed 14 layups/dunks, which seems to be a troublesome pattern in this year's tourney.  And what is both UCLA and Kansas out of timeouts with 45 seconds left?  Is there a deal between UCLA and their opponents to use all their time outs before the final minute?  That's two straight games (at least).

Thirty got both games correct (65 had Ohio St. and 49 had UCLA) including all four who were perfect in the Sweet 16 (who now have winning streaks of 10 since all missed the last 2nd Round game, USC over Texas).  VAN&SAM continue to set records with the most points at this stage of the pool with 138 and has a 7-point lead over THAI SPICE.  She also extended her win record with 51 (of 58 games) with five games left.  GO 9ERS!, long leaving Long Beach St. behind, is in third with 130 pts with TROUBLE BRUIN in 4th with 128 pts.  The last 10-for-10 person is MAD MAN, making his first appearance since 2002, has crept up to 9th-T (122).

Fourteen missed both games today and KOBERAJ (98th, 81), WNB (74th-T, 103), and HENDO (96th, 85) joined the infamous list (now 112 strong) of going 0-for-the-Final-Four with more to possibly come tomorrow.  KRISPY KREMER (76th-T, 102) was the only entry with a chance to win both (had both Memphis & Kansas in F4) but lost both and is now eliminated.

DC944 (5th, 127) who did lead for most of the pool, now can't finish higher than 3rd.  BIG HURT has 122 pts but was eliminated with Ohio St.'s victory.  AHAESY and MIZER WIZARD can still win money despite being tied for 40th place.  CLAP OR CRAP F.C. and FILLIAM H. MUFFMAN (118) (the only entries to use a period in their nickname for those of you keeping score) can still win first despite being tied for 19th place.

VAN&SAM, who was a nervous wreck this morning, has almost a 50-50 chance (46.9%) of winning the 1st place prize of $450 and a 71.9% chance to win money.  GO 9ERS! has a 18.8% chance for 1st and a 53.1% chance for money.  THAI SPICE and BAKER'S FABONE (6th, 126) have a 9.4% chance for 1st while 8 others still have hope for 1st.  UCLA's win eliminated 19 entries leaving just 25 with a chance to win something.

If anyone wants to know their exact possible outcomes that would win them money, please post it in the Discussion Board.  Here are my (BAKER'S FABONE) possible winning outcomes out of 32 total possibilities.