TYSON'S CORNER, VA / AA FLIGHT # 263 IAD-LAX (smt)- The NCAA selection committee gave the Pac-12, supposedly a major conference, no respect despite picking five teams as just about every team was seeded worse than people thought.  #12 seeds to MW-Oregon and W-Cal?  Despite not being able to hit key free throws, the Ducks and Bears gladly contributed to the #12/#5 lore while #6E-Arizona held off darkhorse #11E-Belmont.  Meanwhile, #14E-Harvard picked up its first ever NCAA tournament victory stunning #3E-New Mexico, a trendy pick to do well in the tourney.  On the flip side, #4E-Syracuse (+47), #5S-VCU (+46), and #1MW-Louisville (+31) all won by 30+ points.   #3E-Marquette pulled off an incredible comeback despite Davidson hitting 6 of its last 7 free throws while #6MW-Memphis held off a furious rally.

Seeing #1 Kentucky in the NIT get knocked off in the first round, #16W-Southern U. was hoping to become the first #16 seed to knock off a #1 seed but the #1W-Zags held their composure after being tied with 3 minutes left to win. #3MW-Michigan St, #6E-Butler, #9W-Wichita St, #4MW-St Louis, #4S-Michigan, and #8MW-Colorado St all picked up relatively easy victories. 

Unofficially, as I finally try to catch up after a long week-long trip to Pax River, MD, we have 131 entries which is great because that means there will once again be a 6th place prize.  Sadly, this is the first time in 10 years that the number of entries failed to increase though if we look at all the Apple fanboys/girls who insisted on using Mac OS and failed to send a screenshot/copy of their bracket (thanks to those who did!  Sorry for the inconvenience), we were looking to get at least a half dozen more.  People were ready to throw their iMacs out the window (which would've been cool) and cursing the bracket, Apple, and us!  Love the passion.

With just four upsets, most did well but Macie's Mom got an incredible 15 of 16 correct (30 pts), including 1 of 3 to pick the Crimson (only missed Colorado St).  Like Davidson, Sisyphus69 dominated for the first 13 games, winning every one before losing 2 of the last 3 including his pick to win it all, New Mexico.  Of course, with a possible point total of 159 (of 196) he is by no means out of the competition (yet).  OneandDone went 7-9 (everyone else got at least 9 correct) and before you think this was a kid doing it like CanUBeatA6YrOld (98th-Tied, 20) (who did lose champ Montana), KobeIsEpic1 (30th-T, 24) or out defending champ Quinnsanity (67th-T, 24), this person has a solid Elite 8 -- just went too crazy with early upsets.