Author Archives: Scott

Admin Picks

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Being our 29th year and 2024 is a leap year, my nickname is Fabone’s Leap Year and the link will take you to my picks.

As usual, I did submit a second entry, The 5 Body Problem (the 5 players per team on the court), as after watching the 30 (!) episode Chinese version (on Amazon Prime Video and Peacock (though the subtitles seem off)) and listening to The 3 Body Problem audio book, I’m hooked. I’m hoping the Netflix version is good, even though they made it more international.

David’s pick should be by morning [Edit: Here is his pick The Mighty Mobelfakta!]. We unofficially have 170 entries!

Issue # 1.0.1 “Purdue Gets a Do-Over”

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The Lymphoma Research Foundation’s mission is to eradicate lymphoma and serve those impacted by this blood cancer.

Sunday, March 17, 2024  **HELP support the Lymphoma Research Foundation (deadline Tue 4:00 pm PDT **)
UCONN STILL KING, PURDUE & HOUSTON GET #1 SEEDS AGAIN
Our 29th pool will be without UCLA and the last of the Pac 12 as a major conference

SUNNY CHERRY BLOSSOM SEATTLE, WA (smt) – After the top 12 seeds failed to make the Final Four for the first time, let’s hope the seeding this year matters.  Defending champ #1E-UConn was the #1 overall seed with #1W-UNC returning to glory as the last #1 seed.  #1S-Houston and #1MW-Purdue returned as #1 seeds with Purdue getting a chance to wash away last year’s loss to #16 FDU.  When #10aMW-Virginia lost to #16 UMBC in 2018, the next year they got a #1 seed again and won the title (2019).  UConn is the only #1 seed to actually win their conference tournament (Big East).

There is no UCLA or USC but the Pac 12 did manage to get 4 teams in with #10bS-Colorado getting a First Four berth.  Of course, the Pac 12 will just Oregon St and Washington St next year as 10 teams bolted to 3 different major conferences.  All 3 got at least 5 teams in with the Big 12 getting 8, the Big Ten 6, and the ACC 5.  The SEC also got 8 teams with the Mountain West getting a whopping 6. 

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14th HWCI NCAA First Four for Charity (Due 4 pm PDT Tuesday)

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While you decide who will win the tourney, for the 14th year I’m doing the HWCI NCAA First Four for Charity, where I will donate $2 per entry to a charity (and if we get more than 25 responses, I’ll chip in an additional $25), this year to the Lymphoma Research Foundation, whose mission is to eradicate lymphoma and serve those touched by this disease. It is a 99% 4-star charity.

My Mom was diagnosed with stage 4 lymphoma a few months before my Dad passed away and is doing well after the treatment. She still wants to mow the lawn and still works part-time and at age 78, she’s been doing well mentally and physically. So I will chip in the first $78 in honor of her age. Plus, my company will match so every dollar will be doubled.

Last year, a record $1,554 was raised by us (that’s you!) to go to the American Lung Association. In 13 years, we have raised $4,691.20 for 13 different organizations.

This First Four for Charity is free and you just have to submit (you can comment on this post to enter, email, post to Facebook, tweet @HWCI_Pools) who the four First Four winners will be and by what point margin. The First Four games:

  • Howard vs Wagner
  • Virginia vs Colorado St
  • Montana St vs Grambling
  • Boise St vs Colorado

For example: Howard by 2 points, Virginia by 3 points, Grambling by 9 points, and Colorado by 4 points. Get your entry by 4 pm PDT Tuesday.  As a bonus, in the end, if we top our record of 194 entries this year, I’ll donate an additional $25.  Also, invite your friends and people can enter (since it’s free) this charity contest but not our main pool.

My picks: Howard by 3, Colorado St by 7, Grambling by 1, Colorado by 4.

Thank you!

Stetson… maybe

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The Stetson Hatters (yes, the Hatters!) edged Austin Peay Sunday to make their first NCAA tournament by winning the Atlantic Sun conference tournament. However, they are in danger of getting the First Four game according to ESPN’s bracketology and thus would have to win one game to make the proper 64 tournament, and become the 289th team to make the proper 64 in our 29-year HWCI NCAA Pool history.

Top conference seeds Grambling (SWAC) and Quinnipiac (MAAC) will hopefully rise to the occasion and join the Hatters (love that logo, did you see the hat?). Six others also hope to make their first bid.

The bracket comes out Sunday and let the madness begin! It will be our 29th HWCI NCAA Pool and hope you’ll join us.

Record Donation!

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Will receive $1,554 from HWCI NCAA

On May 25th, I made an HWCI NCAA record $777.00 (I added to get to the lucky 7’s, as my Dad was fond of the slots) donation via my company, who will match that amount. That means, $1,554 will go the American Lung Association. Thanks to the dozen of you for helping make this record donation.

A grand total of $4,691.20 have been donated to 13 charities over 13 years. Thank you! I’m taking suggestions for charities/causes/funds for 2024 so let me know.

Issue # 14.6.1 “UConn’s Route was to Rout”

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Star Trek Picard - Final Season
2023 NCAA Champions
UCONN 2023 #4-West Regional Champions

University of Connecticut Huskies (31-8)
5th Title
UCONN 1999 UCONN 2004 UCONN 2011 UCONN 2014
2023 Winningest Conference
Big EastThe Big East Conference (12-4)
1st Time
(Previous 3 times trace to current AAC; new Big East formed in 2013)

Monday, April 3, 2023 

UCONN REMAINS UNDEFEATED IN TITLE GAMES
Jah Lives-2 rides UConn to win the pool; Krispy Seconds takes last top 8 slot

HOME, CA (smt) – #4W-UConn trailed early 10-6 but dominated the rest of the way in winning their 5th title in 24 tournaments, beating #5S-San Diego St, 76-59.  UConn won the title for the 4th time coming from the West Regional, the 4th time beating a lower seed, and the 4th time in Texas (twice in Houston).  Even after SDSU clawed their way back to 5 points (60-55 with 5:19 left), UConn quickly hit a 3-pointer en route to a 9-0 run to put the game away. 

UConn won all six games by 13 or more points and scored 70 or more points in each.  Despite being a #4 seed (only the second #4 seed to win it (Arizona in ’97)), they only faced one higher seed (where they routed #3W-Gonzaga by 28).  SDSU shot poorly (32%) at one point missing 14 straight after taking the 10-6 lead and also missed their first 7 layups.  Once again the mid-major falls just short (last one to win, UNLV in 1990).

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SDSU vs UConn Live!

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12:19 am PDT – 18 hours until the final. We already know who 7 of the top 8 prizes will be but we don’t know who will be champion (Samurai Jack if SDSU wins, Jah Lives-2 if UConn wins). We also don’t know who will win the $40 bonus as two can win if SDSU wins (leaving Big East with 11 wins) or ten can win if UConn wins (Big East with 12 wins). The last top prize spot will go to either EMAW (if SDSU wins) or Krispy Seconds (if UConn wins).

1:18 pm – If UConn wins, there is a tiebreaker for 4th to be decided. 149 total pts or less goes to JessaFish, 150 or more goes to Samurai Jack. The over/under is 133 points.

1:27 pm – If SDSU wins, if total pts is 129 or less, the $40 Bonus goes to Suznana, if 131 or more it goes to FV Locals. If 130, they will split $40. If UConn wins, 141 or less will go to Kds911-2 and Kds911-3 (same person so split doesn’t matter) and if 167 or more, it goes to Saratogastephen. In between, 7 others could win with possibilities of 3-way ties!

6:43 pm – SDSU led 10-6 but now it’s UConn 16-10. SDSU was 4/5 from field, now 4/13. 11 min left. Just 116 total pts projected but still early.

6:54 pm – SDSU has missed last 12 FGs. If not for 4 FTs, they’d be stuck on 10. UConn leads 22-14. 7:20 left. Projected 114 total pts.

7:01 pm – First SDSU FG in 11:08. Now 5/20 FGs. UConn leads 26-17.

7:03 pm – Missed open layup (why don’t players dunk?) followed by UConn 3. UConn 36-20.

Half – UConn led by as many as 16 and lead 36-24. Projected total pts only 120. Not pretty with 17 turnovers (9 by SDSU) but UConn still shooting 50% (SDSU 28.6% 8/28). Krispy Seconds looking good to take 8th if UConn holds on and Jah Lives-2 itching for pool title. Low scoring good news for Kds911-2 and Kds911-3 as total would have to go past 141 pts to lose Bonus (if UConn wins).

7:36 – What a long halftime.

7:44 – SDSU missed another layup (0/7) and trail by 13 with 16:33 left.

7:48 – 15:40 left, first SDSU layup made, down by 11 (43-32). Projected 122 pts.

7:54 – UConn is 10/11 on FTs and lead by 12. Will be hard for SDSU to come back. 13:59 left. Projected 126 pts.

8:01 – 11:56 left, UConn not letting SDSU get close, 49-36. UConn already shooting free throw from now on out and are 11/13. Projected 121 pts.

8:08 – 8:33 left and UConn leads 56-45. Projected creeping up to 128 pts.

8:10 – Down by 8 with 8:00 left. Projected to 130.

8:14 – 6:58 left, SDSU free throw narrows deficit to 7 (58-51). Projected 132.

8:18 – Can SDSU hit free throws? They hit 2 to cut it to 5 (60-55). 5:19 left.

8;20 – 3:52 left. UConn 63-55. Projected total 131. Does EMAW have hope now? Maybe Samurai Jack will add a 3rd ring to his finger? But UConn has been good at stopping runs in this Final Four, this time hitting a 3 to put them back up to 8.

8:24 – SDSU missed the front end of a 1-on-1. Just 13/18 on free throws (while UConn is 15/17).

8:26 – UConn up by 12, SDSU back to missing shots. 2:30 left. Projected 130 has lots of margin until 141 (Bonus) and 149 (4th place).

8:28 – UConn was on a 9-0 run as SDSU cuts it to 12 again. 1:55 left, 69-57, projected 133. Jah Lives-2 (title) and Krispy Seconds (8th) singing “hey hey hey, goodbye”.

8:33 – SDSU foul to stop clock at 1:07, now down by 16 75-59 (134).

Final – UConn wins 5th title (all since 1999) and mid-majors will have to wait another year (last UNLV in 1990). Final score 76-59 (135 points). Congrats to our 26th different pool champion, as Winsome T (Jah Lives-2) wins in first year. Robinson C (Samurai Jack) drops from 1st to 5th (a $605 drop), losing the 4th place tiebreaker to Jessica H (JessaFish). Roy W (Krispy Seconds) takes 8th, eliminating Spencer C (EMAW) who drops from 5th to 12th. The $40 Bonus goes to Tom J whose two entries tied for it (Kds911-2 and Kds911-3).

8:44 – As UConn has done, no drama winning all six games by 13 or more. No drama in pool tiebreakers as low scoring beginning never was close to being watched closely (needed 141+). Credit to SDSU to cutting it to five, but too many FG droughts to sustain any momentum, shooting just 32%.

Issue # 13.5.2 “28 Days of Drama” (History of the Pool)

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3rd HWCI Women’s World Cup – July 2023
2023 NCAA FINAL @ Houston, Texas
 – The Floor
The Road Ends Here
#5-South
(Seed #17, NET #14, AP #18)		#4-West
(Seed #13, NET #8, AP #10)
 SDSU background
SDSU Aztecs		 Husky Pride
San Diego State University Aztecs (32-6) University of Connecticut Huskies (30-8)
Mountain West Conference – Regular Season and Tourney Champs
San Diego, California
1st Final
def #12 College of Charleston 63-57
#13 Furman 75-52
#1 Alabama 71-64
#6 Creighton 57-56
#9E Florida Atlantic 72-71		Big East Conference (4th Place)
Storrs, Connecticut
5th Final (’99, ’04, ’11, ’14)
def #13 Iona 87-63
#5 Saint Mary’s 70-55
#8 Arkansas 88-65
#3 Gonzaga 82-54
#5MW Miami 72-59

Sunday, April 2, 2023 

UCONN UNDEFEATED IN TITLE GAMES; SDSU BIG UNDERDOGS
Just 2 prize up for grabs as those who entered multiple times benefited this year

FIRESTONE SCOUT RESERVATION, BREA, CA (smt) – If you count the WCC final (March 7) as the first day the madness begins, as that coronates Gonzaga, the first big mid-major to qualify for the tournament, then this Final would be the 28th day of madness.  Appropriate for our 28th HWCI NCAA Pool.

It does seem like the field clears up when #4W-UConn makes the final as other than their first title against heavy favorite Duke in ’99, the past three have seen them play lower seeds, even if they were low themselves (e.g., ’14 they were #7 but faced a #8).  Hence, UConn is a perfect 4-0 in finals and face lower seed #5S-San Diego St, who have won back-to-back games by one point, the last one on a buzzer beater.  In a rematch of the 2011 Sweet 16, #3W-UConn beat #2W-SDSU 74-67 on its way to its 3rd championship.  UConn will try to win a title in Texas for the 4th straight time, winning in San Antonio (2004), Houston (2011), and North Texas (2014).  Everything is new for San Diego St (never advanced past the Sweet 16) while despite 4 titles since ’99, UConn has a hard time getting into the Blue Blood club as they have just made the tournament 4 times since ’14, losing twice in the 1st round and once in the 2nd.  A streak of five straight #1 seeds winning the title ends this year with a #4 (only one was Arizona in ’97) or #5 (first time) taking it.

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Issue # 12.5.1 “Buzzer Beater!”

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Saturday, April 1, 2023   ***APRIL FOOLS DAY***

SDSU HITS BUZZER BEATER; UCONN KEEPS MIAMI AT BAY
Samurai Jack or Jah Lives-2 will win pool; 8 clinched money, 2 entries fighting for last spot

SDSU buzzer beater

DIGNITY HEALTH SPORTS PARK, CARSON, CA (smt) – #5S-San Diego St tried to lose against #9E-Florida Atlantic, missing 4 of 5 free throws late with a turnover, but a gutsy call by the SDSU coach to play for the last possession down by one with 38 seconds left worked as SDSU got the rebound with less than 10 seconds left.  Not calling a timeout, SDSU’s Lamont Butler hit a jumper as time expired for the first buzzer beater of the tournament sending the Aztecs into their first final with a 72-71 win.  FAU finished with 35 wins, most in the nation.

#4W-UConn broke open a 19-19 game with a 27-7 run in making their 5th trip to the finals with a 72-59 victory over #5MW-Miami.  The Hurricanes had cut it to 8 (53-45) with less than 12 minutes left but UConn scored the next 7 points to keep the game at double-digits the rest of the way.  Two late free throws prevented UConn with their 5th straight 15+ win, so it will have to be their 5th straight 13+ win.

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Issue # 11.4.3 “What Happened?” (F4 Preview + FF Recap)

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American Lung Association
2023 NCAA FINAL FOUR @ Houston, Texas

4th Final Four (’71 (Astrodome), ’11 (Reliant Stadium), ’16 (NRG Stadium))
 –  –  – 
Hosted by U. of Houston (American Athletic Conf) (3rd Final Four), Rice U. (Conf USA) (4th Final Four), Houston Christian U. (Southland Conf) (1st Final Four), and Texas Southern U. (Southwestern Athletic Conf) (2nd Final Four)
 – The Floor
First SemifinalSecond Semifinal
#5-South
(Seed #17, NET #14, AP #18)

Louisville, Kentucky (7th Regional)

Hosted by U. of Louisville
#9-East
(Seed #33, NET #13, AP #25)

New York City, New York (12th Regional)
– Hosted by Big East Conf and St. John’s U.
#5-Midwest
(Seed #20, NET #35, AP #16)

Kansas City, Missouri (16th Regional)

Hosted by Big 12 Conf
#4-West
(Seed #13, NET #8, AP #10)

Las Vegas, Nevada (1st Regional)

Hosted by U. of Nevada, Las Vegas
San Diego St 
Florida Atlantic 
Miami (Florida) 
UConn (4 star) 
San Diego State University Aztecs (31-6) Florida Atlantic University Owls (35-3) University of Miami Hurricanes (29-7) University of Connecticut Huskies (29-8)
Mountain West Conference – Regular Season and Tourney Champs
San Diego, California
1st Final Four
def #12 College of Charleston 63-57
#13 Furman 75-52
#1 Alabama 71-64
#6 Creighton 57-56 		Conference USA – Regular Season and Tourney Champs
Boca Raton, Florida
1st Final Four
 def #8 Memphis 66-65
#16 Fairleigh Dickinson 78-70
#4 Tennessee 62-55
#3 Kansas St 79-76		Atlantic Coast Conference – Regular Season Co-Champs
Coral Gables, Florida
1st Final Four
def #12 Drake 63-56
#4 Indiana 85-69
#1 Houston 89-75
#2 Texas 88-81		Big East Conference (4th Place)
Storrs, Connecticut
6th Final Four (’99, ’04, ’09, ’11, ’14)
def #13 Iona 87-63
#5 Saint Mary’s 70-55
#8 Arkansas 88-65
#3 Gonzaga 82-54

Thursday, March 30, 2023 

UCONN JOINS 3 NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK
At least $1,332 will be donated to American Lung Association; over $4,470 donated over 13 years

HOME, CA (smt) – Whereas last year we had four teams with a combined 61 Final Fours and 17 championships (20 including pre-NCAA) and each with at least 3 titles, this year we have 3 newbies joining #4W-UConn, who have 4 titles but all won in the past 24 years (this, its 6th Final Four).  Joining the Big East’s UConn is a member from the ACC, but not Duke, UNC, or Virginia, but #5MW-Miami (of Florida, not Ohio). Mid-majors join the fun as the Mountain West has #5S-San Diego St and Conference USA (who just won the NIT with North Texas beating fellow CUSA member UAB taking the title Wednesday in not-NYC) has #9E-Florida Atlantic.  Who would’ve thought the local team would be San Diego St and that two teams from Florida would be in the Final Four?

Seems like a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away that we were talking about defending champion #1W-Kansas not getting the Kansas City regional (they lost in the 2nd round), #1S-Alabama leading a strong SEC contingent (they lost in the Sweet 16 and the SEC had 9 wins after the first weekend but then went 0-3 in the Sweet 16), #1MW-Houston becoming the second team to play in their home city (Butler in Indy in 2010) since 1972 (they lost in Sweet 16), and #2W-UCLA succumbing to injuries (they did, losing to #3W-Gonzaga in another classic in Sweet 16).

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Issue # 9.4.1 “Rally and Rout” [Pub: March 29]

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Saturday, March 25, 2023 

FAU ERASES LATE 6-PT DEFICIT, UCONN WINS BY 28
Samurai Jack remains in the lead with 103 pts; Just 19 entries still alive

UConn routBELLINGHAM, WA (smt) – #9E-Florida Atlantic had 22 turnovers yet went on a 13-1 run in three minutes to erase a six-point deficit to beat #3E-Kansas St, 79-76, to reach their first Final Four with their 35th win of the season.  FAU hit their last four free throws and KSU could not get off a shot at the end of the game for a chance to tie.  FAU is the third #9 seed to make the Final Four.

#4W-UConn quickly turned a 7-point halftime lead into a massive 33 points in routing #3W-Gonzaga, 82-54, in making their 6th Final Four, all in our pool era (’99, ’04, ’09, ’11, ’14).  They have won all four games by 15 or more points.  The Bulldogs were a very uncharacteristic 33% from the field and 2/10 from three.  With both #3 seeds falling, only #2MW-Texas is the lone top 12 team left.

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Issue # 8.3.2 “Texas Stands Alone” [Pub: March 29]

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Friday, March 24, 2023 

FINAL TWO #1S FALL, TEXAS LONE TOP 8 TEAM
Samurai Jack retakes the lead with 97 pts; Just 31 entries still alive

STEVESTON, BC (smt) – #5S-San Diego St ended the game on a 32-16 run to erase an 11 point deficit to beat #1S-Alabama, 71-64, to reach their first Elite 8.  #5MW-Miami’s Nijel Pack hit 7 three-pointers to lead them to an easy 89-75 win over #1MW-Houston.  Miami is the only team to make back-to-back Elite 8s this year and this is just their second Elite 8.  This was the first time all four #1 seeds did not make the Elite 8 and the Cougars missed a chance to play the Final Four in their home city. 

#6S-Creighton ended #15S-Princeton’s Cinderella run by shooting 71% from inside the 3-point arc in winning 86-75 and making their first Elite 8.  #2MW-Texas’s bench outscored #3MW-Xavier’s 33-5 in making their first Elite 8 since 2008 (83-71 win).  Texas is the lone #1 or #2 seed left and the last team from Texas (started with a tournament high of 7), home of the Final Four.  

The top two predicted champions were eliminated today with 42 losing Houston and 37 Alabama.  Three also lost Xavier.  EMAW (2nd, 95 pts) is the only entry that still can get 3 Final Four teams correct while 80 will go 0-for-the-Final-Four.

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Issue # 10.4.2 “This is the Final Four?”

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Sunday, March 26, 2023 

TWO #5 SEEDS MAKE FINAL FOUR
Samurai Jack remains at 103 points; 12 entries still alive

From seat 12A

SEATAC, WA (smt) – Thanks to Delta Airlines, I was able to catch the ending of the #6S-Creighton and #5S-San Diego St game on the plane.  The last SoCal team standing, SDSU benefited from a controversial foul with a 1.2 seconds left in a tie game and managed to hit the 2nd of 2 free throws to win 57-56 to advance to their first Final Four.  It did look like a foul as the defender was beat and the left arm grabbed the shooter while he was in the air.  But was this how the refs were calling the game?  If so, then it’s a valid whistle.  The CBS post-game show was a mess trying to describe this and the end of the game (tip out of bounds).

Meanwhile, hot three-point shooting #5MW-Miami only shot 8 (made 2) and yet still rallied from a 13-point deficit with 13 minutes left to shock #2MW-Texas by 7 points (78-71).  Texas shot 50% but Miami shot 59.2% and hit 28/32 (87.5%) free throws.  It’s Miami’s (of Florida) first Final Four and the Final Four does not have a #1, #2, or #3 seed with three first-timers (plus #9E-Florida Atlantic) and #4W-UConn going for its 5th title.

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Travel Delay

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The possibilities and Bonus possibilities are now updated. The update will be delayed as I was traveling today and missed the four games. Got lots of notes but have to collect it tomorrow during my meeting (maybe). Might get a double update tomorrow night.

Issue # 7.3.1 “Zags-UCLA Did Not Disappoint”

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Thursday, March 23, 2023 

OWLS FLY HIGH, ZAGS WIN THRILLER
March Sadness takes the lead as 1 of 4 to go 3-1; 81 entries still alive

HOME, CA (smt) – #7E-Michigan St rallied from five down late to send the game into the tournament’s first overtime and led 92-90 but #3E-Kansas St scored 8 of the last 9 points to win 98-93.  K-State’s Markquis Nowell set a tournament record with 19 assists (while adding 20 points and 5 steals) as the last Big Ten team was eliminated (they started with a tournament-high 8).  #4W-UConn never trailed and used an early 14-0 run and at one point led by 29 in a 88-65 win over #8W-Arkansas.

#9E-Florida Atlantic went on a 18-2 run to turn a 39-33 deficit into a 51-41 lead that they did not relinquish in upsetting #4E-Tennessee, 62-55.  The FAU Owls won their 34th game (#1MW-Houston hopes to join them tomorrow) and makes their first Elite 8 in just their second appearance. 

What is it about #3W-Gonzaga and #2W-UCLA in the tournament?  In 2006 (Sweet 16), UCLA rallies from a 13-point halftime deficit by scoring the last 11 points of the game in 3:26 to win by 2 and end Adam Morrison’s Gonzaga career.  In 2021 (Final Four), UCLA rallied from 5 points down in overtime to tie it only to have the Zags’ Jalen Suggs banked a near half-court buzzer beater to win it. 

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