Category Archives: HWNCAA Pool 13

Issue # 15.6.1 “I’m Luke Hancock, I’m Here to Rescue You”

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Congrats to Louisville, a deserving champion (even though I didn’t pick them). Also, congrats to the 7 winners in our pool.

Prize Winner Nickname Money Won Yrs in Pool (# Ent) # Times Won (Total $)
1st Steve N The Rat Pack $530 8 (9) 1 ($530)
2nd Blakeley H #3 Bwakewey Cubed $275 4 (10) 2 (Bns ’11 $315)
3rd Kevin T Shake N’ Bake $185 8 (8) 2 (Bns ’09 $225)
4th Byron W Flying Ace $130 14 (14) 1 ($130)
5th Paul T Poolraider $90 9 (12) 2 (2nd ’05 $285)
6th Van P Lastminute $65 11 (11) 3 (1st ’07, Bns ’10, $555)
Bonus Greg J BamaG $40 8 (14) 1 ($40)

Read today’s update below (or original here):

2013 NCAA Champions
[U. of Louisville Cardinals]
#1-Midwest
(Indianapolis, IN)		 The University of Louisville Cardinals
(35-5)
2013 Winningest Conference
[ Big 10 Conference ] The Big 10 Conference
(14-7)		 
Monday, April 8, 2013 
Issue # 15.6.1 "I'm Luke Hancock, I'm Here to Rescue You"
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6TH MAN HANCOCK RALLIES CARDS
Lastminute, Flying Ace, and BamaG join the winner’s circle
CERRITOS, CA (smt)- For the second straight game, the Cards fell behind by 12 points.  For the second straight game, a run of 3’s quickly cut down the lead.  And for the second straight game, Luke Hancock came off the bench to score 20+ points to lead the #1MW-Louisville Cardinals to a 82-76 victory over the #4S-Michigan Wolverines.  This was the Cards 3rd national title and Rick Pitino (recent Hall of Famer and soon to be tatoo’d) became the first coach to win titles for two teams.  In one of the most well-played finals in recent memory Continue reading »

Live Pool Blog: Louisville v Michigan

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My wife and Rick Pitino jumped when they shot off the streamers!

LOU wins 82-76 (158 pts)!  BamaG wins the Bonus, Flying Ace 4th, Poolraider 5th, and Lastminute 6th.  Cliff Paul can curse the Wolverine poise. Pitino is 1st to win championships with 2 different teams.  LOU was supposed to be a force last year as well but late injuries before the tourney doomed their chances.

LOU 82-76 2 sec:  Good thing the tiebreaker is already decided otherwise these last few free throws could’ve changed things.

LOU 78-74 29.8:  Is there a 4-point shot I don’t know about?  Why is Michigan taking their time to foul?

LOU 78-74 1:20: Why is LOU panicking?  They had complete control. 152 pts thus far.  Unless MI makes a comeback, BamaG will win the Bonus, Flying Ace 4th, Poolraider 5th, and Lastminute 6th.

LOU 76-66 3:20: Hancock again!  MI may have the most 3’s from 25+ feet, but Hancock just drills 3 after 3.

LOU 71-64 4:54: Not looking good for Cliff Paul.  BamaG can taste the Bonus.

LOU 67-64 5:22: Both teams just had FGC-like alley oops.  What a good game so far.

LOU 65-61 7:00: Both teams shooting 54%, what a difference from when Butler was in the Finals.

LOU 58-56 10:00: Projecting to 152 pts now.

LOU 54-49 12:20: More ticky tack fouls against LOU.  And why can you throw the ball in the back court from the front court?

MI 46-43 15:57:  Projecting to 142 pts. Lastminute still would be out of the money if MI wins.  Krispy Kremer wins Bonus if LOU wins, husband-wife-dad of Belucky2, SpAva and The Fabone XIX would share Bonus ($13.33 each) if MI wins.

MI 46-42: After an early LOU 3 to put them up by 2, MI is back up by 4.  Frantic pace so far.

MI 38-37 halftime:  Another ticky-tack foul vs Louisville and the Wolverines barely lead at the half.  If it’s like the Super Bowl, it may be an hour before the 2nd half starts… more importantly, the 75 points projects into 150 total points which if LOU wins, gives Poolraider 4th, Flying Ace 5th, and Lastminute 6th and BamaG the Bonus.  If Michigan wins, Lastminute would be eliminated and Pride of Troy would win the Bonus.

LOU 37-36:  Why do you desert and leave Hancock open?  4 straight 3’s.  And a FGC-like dunk and the Cards have erased a 12-pt lead to lead by 1!

MI 36-32: 3 consecutive 3’s by Hancock and the game is close again.  Much earlier than their game vs Wichita St.

Seriously, it’s been over six minutes and the score hasn’t changed.  Not because of play, but because of awfully long commercials (one long break, a short play, and timeout again!)… no wonder network TV is going down the drain.

MI 33-21 3:51 1st: Once again, Louisville is off to a very slow start as Michigan is not only making shots but grabbing rebounds on shots they’ve missed.  But we know all too well not to count the Cardinals out.

Start:  I’ll be keeping tabs on the total points in final for the Bonus tiebreaker and 4th/5th tiebreakers.

Issue # 14.5.2 “Leaving Our Teenage Years Behind Us” – History of the Pool

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Has it really been 19 years?  Unlike most pools, we keep a very detailed history.  Today’s update chronicles that history and also as a bonus, at the end is the list of the all-time records.  Good luck to those 3 vying for the final 2 spots and the 25 vying for the Bonus.

There will be the Final update wrap-up tomorrow and the a final pool wrap-up later in the week.  I’ll also be donating $96 ($40 by me and $56 by others) to MathWorks, which unfortunately, despite being a sponsor, my company does not match (they only do educational institutions).

If you have a lot of time, read on (or read original):

The Final @ Atlanta (Georgia Dome)
[U. of Louisville Cardinals]
(34-5)
#1-Midwest
(Indianapolis, IN)		 vs. [U. of Michigan Wolverines]
(31-7)
#4-South
(Arlington, TX)		 
Sunday, April 7, 2013 
Issue # 14.5.2 "Leaving Our Teenage Years Behind Us" [ All-Time Records ]
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THE RAT PACK JOINS WINNER CIRCLE AS OUR CHAMP
Our pool topped 130 for the 2nd straight year
CERRITOS, CA (smt)-  The #1 overall seed was the only survivor of the top 12 teams in the tournament in the Final Four and needed every ounce of their toughness to sneak into the Final.  #1MW-Louisville is using inspiration of fallen comrade Kevin Wade but will it be enough Continue reading »

Issue # 13.5.2 “Put Me In Coach, I’m Ready to Play, Today” ♫♫

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Almost had a “Shocker” there, didn’t we?  Bada-boom!  Well, 4 of the 6 top spots have been claimed, 3 are going for the remaining 2.  Also, 25 entries are still alive for the Bonus, so be watching the game and counting the points.  So do you want the favorite or the underdog to win?

Today’s update (or read original):

Saturday, April 6, 2013 

Issue # 13.5.2 "Put Me In Coach, I'm Ready to Play, Today" ♫♫
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L’VILLE & MICHIGAN UTILIZE BENCH TO WIN
 The Rat Pack wins the 2013 HWCI NCAA Pool
CERRITOS, CA (smt)- #1MW-Louisville and #4S-Michigan both had to rely on their bench to rescue their starter’s poor shooting in reaching Monday’s Final.  #9W-Wichita St stymied the Cards and then jumped to a 12-point lead with about 13 minutes left but Continue reading »

We have a champion! Steve N!

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Steve N (The Rat Pack) needed 2 things to happen:  Louisville to win and Michigan to win.  And he got both to become our 18th different HWCI NCAA Pool Champion and win the $530 prize.  This is the first time he has won money in 8 years (9 total entries).  Blakeley H (Bwakewey Cubed) will win 2nd or 3rd, his 2nd win in 4 years (Bonus in ’11) (10 entries).  Kevin T (Shake N’ Bake) will win 3rd or 4th, his 2nd win in 8 years (Bonus in ’09).  Paul T (Poolraider)  joins the winners as he will win either 4th, 5th, or 6th since his tiebreaker is in the middle of the 3 tied.  This is his 2nd win in 9 years (2nd in ’05) (12 entries).  Only 2 of these 3 will join the winners list:  Kevin J (Cliff Paul), Van P (Lastminute), and Byron W (Flying Ace).

As for the $40 Bonus, 26 entries are alive (only 25 can win since Van P would finish 4th and be ineligible in her winning scenario).

Here are the final scenarios for the top money & Bonus: Continue reading »

Issue # 12.4.3 “Crazy Tourney, SportsNation Style”

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Two more games today.  Although 10 are alive for the 6 money spots, an additional 50 40 are alive for the Bonus.  So good luck to the 60 50 entries (out of 131) with a chance to win money.  Can Louisville be upset?  We’ll see…

Here’s today’s update (or read original)…

The Final Four @ Atlanta (Georgia Dome)
[U. of Louisville Cardinals]
(33-5)
#1-Midwest
(Indianapolis, IN)		 [Wichita St. U. Shockers]
(30-8)
#9-West
(Los Angeles, CA)		 [U. of Michigan Wolverines]
(30-7)
#4-South
(Arlington, TX)		 [Syracuse U. Orange]
(30-9)
#4-East
(Washington, DC)		 
[ SportsNation, Weekdays 1 pm PT ESPN2 ]
Friday, April 5, 2013 **HAPPY BIRTHDAY BELUCKY2 **
Issue # 12.4.3 "Crazy Tourney, SportsNation Style"
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SEEMS LIKE AN EASY PATH FOR LOUISVILLE
Can The Rat Pack secure 1st Saturday?
CERRITOS, CA (smt)- Despite just one #1 seed in the Final Four and a #9 seed, all four teams have won at least 30 games this season.  With darling Gonzaga losing in the 3rd round, Continue reading »

Issue # 11.4.2 “Michigan Dominates Early, Louisville Dominates Late”

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Just one #1 seed joining 2 #4’s and a #9.  What a wacky tournament.  Disaster everywhere but for some reason, 3 can still win the pool (thank you Syracuse & Michigan lovers) making it still competitive in the final weekend.  Of course, with just 10 entries alive, 3 have guaranteed spots.  Which ones?  Read on (or read original)…

Sunday, March 31, 2013 ** HAPPY EASTER!!! **
Issue # 11.4.2 "Michigan Dominates Early, Louisville Dominates Late"
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WOLVERINES EAT GATORS FOR LUNCH; LAST #1 ADVANCES
The Rat Pack alone in 1st and 1 of 3 guaranteed money
HOME OF IN IT TO NGUYEN IT‘S MOM IN ALHAMBRA, CA / CERRITOS, CA (smt)- Before you could seemingly blink, #4S-Michigan built a 41-17 lead and when #3S-Florida was trying a comeback, Continue reading »

Issue # 10.4.1 “Zoned Out”

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Well, Sunday brings an exciting installment of drama, back-and-forth lead changes, and questionable decisions.  Of course, I’m talking about the 9-time Emmy Awarding winning The Amazing Race now in the middle of its 22nd season on CBS.  27 of you care about the games though and will the last #1 seed advance?  Read Saturday’s update below or view the original.

[Still the best reality show on TV with tons of Emmys - Watch Season 22 Sundays 8/7 ET/CT]

Saturday, March 30, 2013 
Issue # 10.4.1 "Zoned Out"
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‘CUSE USE ZONE TO STYMIE MARQ; NO MIRACLE 3-POINTER THIS TIME FOR OHIO ST
ChasCroix and The Rat Pack hold serve but Chi-Town Mikey’s Going Up
THE HOME DEPOT CENTER, CARSON, CA / CERRITOS, CA (smt)- #4E-Syracuse used a killer zone defense to handcuff #3E-Marquette, 55-39, and advance to the Final Four pit stop for the 4th time Continue reading »

Issue # 9.3.2 “Incredible Comeback and Midwest Showdown”

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If you notice on the right side now, you can now easily click the links for the latest Bonus Possibilities and the Worksheet, a green/red view of who got what picks right.  As always, if you longed to see yourself near the top of the heap in the past, Scott’s Updates is the Archive page for all information.  And if you’re wondering what Kansas was doing in the latter part of the game (probably what Memphis was doing in the ’08 championship game vs Kansas), call on Mystery Incorporated led by Scooby Doo (seriously, this is the best Doo yet with biting humor and an overall Lost-type mystery that plays out bit by bit in all 52 eps)!

Read below or view original update.

[The best reincarnation of Scooby Doo; airing final eps weekdays 5/4 ET/CT on Cartoon Network]

Friday, March 29, 2013 
Issue # 9.3.2 "Incredible Comeback and Midwest Showdown"
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GO FOR THE WIN – NOT! LEGENDARLY COACHES IN MW
ChasCroix and The Rat Pack nearly in the money
CERRITOS, CA (smt)- So you blew a 14-point lead with 6:50 left and an unfortunate free throw miss allowed you to blow a 5-point lead with 21 seconds left.  But you’ve dominated the paint (finishing with 60) yet in a tie game take your time to take a 3-pointer?  Then in overtime, Continue reading »

Issue # 8.3.1 “No Hoosier-Hurricane Matchup” + Young London!

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Wow, what a bracket busting day.. .and it wasn’t even close.  Luckily 85 entries can still win money and 35 can still win 1st, so not all is lost.  My The Fabone XIX is out, done in by Colin Cowherd who said Indiana and Miami were the two best teams he’d seen.  Sigh… but for a positive message, Poolraider (Paul T), who helps promote unknown bands, has touted Young London (also his nickname for his 2nd entry) as an up-and-comer, and after listening to their YouTube video, it’s very catchy; and I hope this is a compliment, but I can imagine hearing it performed on Glee… So please take a listen and Like them!

Read on or read original…

[Scott's Pool Updates]

[Young London - an electro pop band (Matt and Sarah)] Call My Name (Tonight) – Young London

Thursday, March 28, 2013 
Issue # 8.3.1 "No Hoosier-Hurricane Matchup"
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BADLY PREPARED, MIAMI & INDIANA FALL
DenverDunks1, with no finalist alive, remains in 1st
CERRITOS, CA (smt)- A week is a long time and the three top favorites playing today were just not sharp.  #2E-Miami, #2W-Ohio St, and #1E-Indiana all trailed by double-digits in the first half.  But in the end, Continue reading »

Issue # 7.2.3 “Bonus! Prizes!”

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Ahead of tonight’s games (good luck to all!), here is the official prize breakdown.  Also, the details of the Bonus, which most don’t care about until they’ve been eliminated and the Final Four is here, are listed below.  A proper update via email  will come later today (problems FTP’ing at work).

Edited: Forgot to update Bonus1 Analysis below.  Original file can now be viewed here.

Wednesday, March 27, 2013 

Issue # 7.2.3 "Bonus! Prizes!"
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DO YOU DESERVE A SECOND CHANCE?  MAYBE
 Five are eliminated from both top prizes and Bonus1 (maybe they can sneak into Bonus2)
CERRITOS, CA (smt)- For the third straight year, we will have six money spots as we have a healthy $1,310 to divvy out.  Plus the Bonus.  What’s the Bonus?  Continue reading »

There’s Nobrackegrity and Jinx is back!

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If you wanted to know who is who, here is the preview of the decoding ring!  HTML file to posted later tonight (Edit: Posted!)… Post a comment on what your favorite nickname(s) are!

ALPHABETICAL by NAME   ALPHABETICAL by NICKNAME
FIRST NAME LI NICKNAME # Yrs   FIRST NAME LI NICKNAME # Yrs
David A (1) Not Dead Freds 6   Yumi S (1) 9ers in ’14 7
Chris B (1) Crafty Airs 8   John C (2) Baby Tiger 8
Chris B (2) Thomas the Train 7   Russel B (1) Ballz Deep 1
Chris B (3) Sam and Ross 4   Greg J (1) BamaG 8
Darryn B (1) Big Luther 12   Greg J (2) Bamag2 6
Wendy B (1) Buckeye23 8   Stephanie H (1) Bambino 2
Wendy B (2) Nobracketegrity 2   Continue reading »

Will the real Jeff H stand up?

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For the first time in 19 years, we have two people with the same first name and last initial in the same pool.  Yes, we have two “Jeff H“‘s.  Han and Higa.  Now, I’m trying to see if Higa will go by “Jeffrey” or use a middle initial since he’s the newest Jeff H, but if not, Higa will probably be Jeff2 H.  This problem arises since I try to only use the last name initial wherever possible.  Of course, nicknames are the way we roll, and hopefully tonight, the complete nickname-to-person table will be published.

In looking back, it is eerie how close we were to having this same problem but off by a year.  Or one person plays, skips a year or two where another person with the same first/LI plays, and then first player comes back.  Here are the 8 instances where we have the same first name and last initial and years they have played.

Eric S:   Continue reading »

Issue # 6.2.2 “Close But Chalk”

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Well, D-Day is here… find out if you are still alive in our pool (and amazingly, 114 entries are!).  So you may have thought you were out, but you aren’t!  Even I’m still alive with Gonzaga and Georgetown in my Final Four (though I can’t finish higher than 3rd).  Remember, we’ll have 1st-6th prizes (plus a Bonus prize for those eliminated).

View original.

Sunday, March 24, 2013 
Issue # 6.2.2 "Close But Chalk"
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DUNK CITY STILL ALIVE; TOP SEEDS SURVIVE
DenverDunks1 tops pool but ChasCroix has best chance to win
TEMPLE CITY, CA/CERRITOS, CA (smt)- It’s hard to believe that this team is just 17 years old and only in its 2nd year of postseason eligibility.  So no history to hang on to, no legacy to rely on.  But #15S-Florida Gulf Coast is writing the book Continue reading »