Monthly Archives: March 2015

Issue # 10.4.1 “Close Doesn’t Count”

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Saturday, March 29, 2015

OLD HAT FOR BADGERS & WILDCATS

 Will I Ever Win This leads by 8; only 8 can win it all 

The Happy Couple

The Happy Couple

CERRITOS, CA/CHINO HILLS, CA (smt)- Why Chino Hills?  Well, it has finally happened as my esteemed co-admin and co-creator of this pool, The Mighty Mobelfakta, has finally found someone to spend the rest of his life with and we couldn’t be happier.  Myself (’02 champ Gold Fabone) and my wife SpAva, our current leader Will I Ever Win This, last year’s champ Badzy (David’s sister), ’95 champ Bix Pix, Bramlet Aberchrombie and his wife (’99 champ Shary Bobbins), former players Jayloc and Uthpope, and The Flying Elvi were there to celebrate.  It was a wonderful ceremony and a great reception.  And it ended early enough for those to listen to the 2nd half of a Badger-Wildcat match that was dominated long-range by #1W-Wisconsin.  Helped by #2W-Arizona weirdly playing for the next possession despite being down by 5 and less than a minute to go that ended in a shot clock beating 3 by Wisconsin, the Badgers reached the Final Four for the 2nd straight year, beating the Wildcats in the Region Final for the 2nd straight year, 85-78.  Wisconsin hit 10 3’s in the 2nd half led by Sam Dekker’s 5 including two daggers in the last two minutes.  The Badgers missed 5 free throws in the last five minutes yet Arizona didn’t foul but allowed 30+ seconds to run off the clock each time.

In the second game, #3MW-Notre Dame gave undefeated #1MW-Kentucky everything they got but couldn’t build their lead bigger than 6 with 5:22 left.  The Wildcats slowly chipped away and didn’t panic as they calmly scored the last four points in the last 2:36 to stun the Irish, 68-66, to reach the Final Four for the 2nd straight year (4th straight time doing it (did not qualify in 2013)).  John Calipari has now led the only 3 teams with 38 wins (2 with Kentucky, 1 with Memphis) and could set a record of 39 with a Final Four win Saturday.  It’ll be interesting to see if Kentucky is now wounded with the close call or inspired and will finish the Final Four with ease.

There were 57 who went 2-0 including Will I Ever Win This who now has Continue reading »

Issue # 9.3.2 “No 2nd Miracle for UCLA”

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(Note: This is late — this after Friday’s games)

Friday, March 28, 2015

HISTORY DOESN’T REPEAT FOR UCLA; TOP COACHES ADVANCE
 Will I Ever Win This blasts into 1st as 3 go 8-for-8 in Sweet 16 

CERRITOS, CA/LA HABRA, CA (smt)- There was no repeat of the 2006 Bruin upset of the Zags as #2S-Gonzaga kept #11S-UCLA at bay, winning 74-62.  In the other three games, there were some challenges but legendary coaches coach well, as Rick Pitino’s #4E-Louiville stopped #8E-NC State, 75-65, Coach K’s #1S-Duke outlasted #5S-Utah, 63-57, and Tom Izzo’s #7E-Michigan St made key plays to knock off #3E-Oklahoma, 62-58.

Will I Ever Win This was one of 5 to go 4-0 today and one of three to go perfect in the Sweet 16 to take the lead (117 pts).  Big Luther (2nd, 117) and BobbyCee’sRacer’sEdge (4th-Tied, 114) also went 8-0 in the round.  Only 6 other times Continue reading »

Let’s hear it for the boy

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My co-admin is getting hitched today so all eyes are on that — and of course, the ceremony and reception will end at 4 pm, meaning he’ll spare us from a boring, strategic first half of AZ-Wisc. and in time to catch a more than likely exciting finish at the bar.  With a late night for me (unrelated) as an upaid worker, likely Friday’s update will be combined with today’s update late tonight.  But you can still check out the latest standings and possibilities.  Congrats, my friend!

Edit: For the 35 depressed you were eliminated, check see if you’re still alive for the Bonus.

Issue # 8.3.1 “So This is What it Felt Like to Be UCLA”

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Thursday, March 27, 2015

WEST FINAL REMATCH NOW A REALITY; WVU UCLA’D
 Bwakewey 1 remains in 1st with PRIDE OF TROY in 2nd; 66 are perfect 

CERRITOS, CA (smt)- Since I don’t watch college basketball during the season, I vaguely remember reading about UCLA being schooled badly by Kentucky but it was during the holidays so quickly forgotten.  Well, I guess I got see what that game was like as #1MW-Kentucky took no prisoners in humiliating #5MW-West Virginia in eerily the same fashion by opening up a huge 18-2 lead (UCLA trailed 24-0), building it to 40+ points (41 vs WVU, 44 vs UCLA), before settling for a 39-point blowout (both games) doubling up on Mountaineers 78-39.  #3MW-Notre Dame had an easy time with #7MW-Wichita St shooting 75% in the 2nd half en route to a 81-70 victory.  The West’s top 2 teams survived to create a rematch of last year’s Regional Final.  #1W-Wisconsin used a small 6-0 run and then hit their free throws (87% overall) to hold off #4W-North Carolina, 79-72.  #2W-Arizona used a small 7-1 run and then hit their free throws (89.5% overall) to hold off a tough #6W-Xavier team, 68-60.  No disrespect to the mid-majors and small conferences, but it was nice to see some good ball being played by the powerhouses as the four West teams had only a combined 29 turnovers (7.25 per team) and shot a combined 81.6% from the charity stripe.

Bwakewey 1 went 3-1 but still holds a 2-point lead (106 pts) over PRIDE OF TROY who was one of 66 Continue reading »

Issue # 7.2.3 “Second Chance Points” + Watch Ceasefire!

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[ Listen to an up and coming band - Ceasefire's No Tomorrow ]

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

SPLITTING A RECORD POT OF $1,610
 Bonus Prize means 143 entries can still win money 

EL SEGUNDO, CA (smt)- The pace of entries never ceased (as an aside, take a listen to one of the unsigned bands Poolrider helps promote, Ceasefire) as we shattered the previous record of 138 entries by 23.  For the fifth straight year, we will have six money spots as we have a record $1,610 to divvy out.  The top prize will be a record $640 which is $85 more than the record in 2014. The prize distribution is listed below and as always, all fee money goes into prizes. So we have those top six spots plus the Bonus.  What’s the Bonus?  Read on…

As it has been for the past 11 years, the Conference Wins is the Bonus Prize (as detailed below) (aka, Bonus1). However, if no one wins it, the Bonus2 takes effect and the entry who is closest to the Total Points in Final tiebreaker gets the Bonus Prize. We have used this Bonus to give hope to those who get eliminated early as only those who do not finish in the top 6 will be eligible to win. Rules follow below…

Bonus1 – Winningest Conference

When you completed your online entry and saw your picks (to print out), some of you might have been wondering Continue reading »

Issue # 6.2.2 “Izzo Does It Again, Bragging Rights to Shockers”

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Sunday, March 22, 2015

PAIR OF 7’S IN SWEET 16 WHILE KS BELONGS TO SHOCKERS
 Bwakewey 1 goes 8-0 to take 4 point lead; 52 entries eliminated 

CERRITOS, CA (smt)- For the 2nd straight year, #7E-Michigan St knocked out #2E-Virginia as coach Tom Izzo is now 13-1 in the Round of 32 (the last year it will be called the 3rd Round).  For the 2nd straight year, #1W-Wisconsin knocked out #8W-Oregon in the Round of 32 with a late surge.  And for the 2nd straight year, #2MW-Kansas chokes in the Round of 32, this time to the rival-they-never-want-to-play-in-case-they-lose #7MW-Wichita St.  Will Kansas wait another 22 years before playing Wichita St again?  No games were closer than six points as #1S-Duke, #2S-Gonzaga, and #4E-Louisville cruised while #3E-Oklahoma and #5MW-West Virginia pulled away late.  The ACC has 5 teams in the Sweet 16 which ties the record.

Bwakewey 1 went a perfect 8-0, just the Continue reading »

Issue # 5.2.1 “Wildcats 2-1; Other Cats, Dragons & Dogs 0-4”

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Saturday, March 21, 2015
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UCLA BACK-TO-BACK SWEET 16; ‘NOVA FIRST #1 TO FALL
 18 go 6-2 as Bucksilious and TURNOVER PRONE tie for 1st 

REDONDO BEACH/CERRITOS, CA (smt)- Today was kind of painful as the games were so spread out that to only have 8 games over 12 hours seemed ridiculous after enjoying the 16 game barrage the past two days.  Considering I was in meetings all day, I guess this turned out to be okay, especially with the first 3 games being blowouts in the end.

The Pittsburgh pod turned the best games as #3MW-Notre Dame and #6MW-Butler exchanged opportunities but remained scoreless the last 2:56 heading into overtime.  The Fighting Irish pulled away leaving the ACC still undefeated at 9-0.  In the second game at Pitt, #1E-Villanova lived and died by the 3, Continue reading »

Issue # 4.1.2 “Day of Calm”

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Friday, March 20, 2015

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FAVORITES WIN 23 STRAIGHT IN DAY OF SO-SO GAMES
 Six are perfect today while The Flying Elvi sets record with 23 straight wins 

REDONDO BEACH, CA (smt)- I guess all the excitement was used up as the first 15 lower seeds won with two games decided by three points of less, both of which saw #13MW-Valpo and #13E-UCI falter on the last possession without getting a shot off giving #4MW-Maryland (its 11th straight Round of 64 win) and #4E-Louisville victories.  #2MW-Kansas, #1S-Duke, #5E-Northern Iowa, #7S-Iowa, #1W-Wisconsin, and #11E-Dayton (the only higher seed to win) had comfortable wins while #7E-Michigan St, #2E-Virginia, #7MW-Wichita St, #5MW-West Virginia, #8W-Oregon, #3E-Oklahoma, #8S-San Diego St, and #2S-Gonzaga pulled away late.  Dayton, who played at their home arena for the First Four and in-state for the Round of 64 (and now Round of 32) games, made it 5 straight years a First Four team has won at least two games.  I didn’t see many games (followed on phone) but apparently didn’t miss much (did see the ends of the Valpo and UCI debacles).  I guess the only interesting thing is we will get the Kansas-Wichita St matchup people have been talking about.

We now have 161 entries and expect it to stay that way.  Because the lower seeds won 23 straight games, that meant Continue reading »

Issue # 3.1.1 “Fourteen is the New Twelve”

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Thursday, March 19, 2015

CLOSE GAMES, FOUR HUGE UPSETS, KY ROLL
Our 21st year sees a record 159+ entries 

CERRITOS, CA (smt)- This was a day not to miss.  Five games decided by a single point.  Nine decided by 5 points or less.  Two overtime games.  Teams having multiple shots at glory at the buzzer.  Controversial calls.  A player ejected.  Near buzzer-beaters (0.1 and 2.7 seconds left).  Unnecessary late turnovers that boggle the mind.  13-0, 8-0, and 6-0 runs to end games (3 of the 5 single point wins).  Four double-digit seeds winning in the first 8 games.  Chalk the last 8 games.  Three conferences perfect while the Big 12 0-fer.

Oh so close of having the very first 3 games eliminate three #3 seeds.  But #3MW-Notre Dame held on against #14MW-Northeastern but fellow 3 seeds #3S-Iowa St and #3W-Baylor weren’t so lucky.  Baylor was upended by #14W-Georgia St who scored just Continue reading »

First Four for Charity – Day Two

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Final Standings

#16aS-North Florida started off strong but eventually, like in their conference final, #16bS-Robert Morris chipped away and pulled off a 4-point win, 81-77.  That meant Wendy B and Kevin T were tied at 2-1 with Kevin holding a 2-point lead in the point differential tiebreaker (18 to 20).  Home-team-wearing-road-uniforms #11Eb-Dayton took the lead, trailed late, and eventually came back to pull off a 1-point win, 56-55, thanks to a no-call-that-is-usually-called on a buzzer-beating 3-point attempt by #11Ea-Boise St.  That margin gave Kevin T the HWCI NCAA First Four for Charity title, holding off Wendy B by 3 points (3-1, 22 to 25 differential).  The Flyers win also meant Scott T (10th) and Eric C (last) didn’t go 0-4.  Elizabeth W, despite being 50 points off in her picks, finished 8th.  North Florida will be a footnote in our pool as only teams who make the 64 are counted in our pool.  So only 4 new teams made it.

So thanks for playing but we’re not done yet.  In addition to the $22 (11 x $2) I will be donating based on the entries to the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation, I should be getting at least $15 from other generous people, and, since we look like we’re passing 138 entries (see below), I’ll be chipping in another $25.  So at least $62.

As of 2:15 am, we have 133 entries (from 91 people, 18 who are brand new!), well on our way of breaking the 138 we had last year (I still have 2 entries and we have 2 mail-in entries (yes, mail-in!)).  We had a record-breaking 72 entries on Wednesday, shattering the old record of 63 in 2013 and ended with 123 which blitzed by the old record of 110 set last year.  We have also set a record of 32 people entering more than one entry (we had 26 in 2012 and 25 last year) which may reflect the balancing point of picking Kentucky and not picking Kentucky.

Issue # 2.0.2 “What are We Pool Geeks Called?”

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Who's going to Star Wars Celebration Anaheim?

Wednesday, March 18, 2015
Issue # 2.0.2 “What are We Pool Geeks Called?”
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FIRST FOUR AS FIRST ROUND CLOSING SOON
At 3 p.m., 2015 pace eclipsing last year’s record pace of entries received 

EL SEGUNDO, CA (smt)- Some good Tuesday games as under #16bMW-Hampton won their 5th game in a row to reach .500 (17-17) and the right to lose to #1MW-Kentucky while #11aW-Ole Miss rallied from a 17-point halftime deficit to beat #11bW-BYU in a high-scoring affair, 94-90.  In 2012, BYU had rallied from a 25-point deficit in a First Four game.  As #16aS-North Florida leads by six at the half and tries to make the Round of 64 proper for the first time, a rare home game will see host #11bE-Dayton battle #11aE-Boise St.  After the First Four is done with, it will no longer be considered the 1st Round, thus confusing as Thursday starts the 2nd Round.  We will revert back to the 1st Round being the Round of 64 games and the 2nd Round being the Round of 32 games next year.  Small victory.  Haven’t really seen any Kentucky backlash (as in the world is now not picking the Wildcats to win it all) yet.

So as I am excited to attend Star Wars Celebration in Anaheim (who else will be there??) and meeting all the great Star Wars fans (geeks, if you may), I was wondering what pool geeks are called.  Poeeks?  Brackeeks?  Bracketeers? We love this March Madness and last year Continue reading »

First Four For Charity – Day One

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n2015_ff-day1We had 11 brave souls enter picks in our 5th HWCI NCAA First Four for Charity (the others must be really trying to figure out who can beat Kentucky).  So that’s at least $22 going to the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation but with other commitments, I hope to write a much bigger check!  But on to the standings… below .500 Hampton rolled over Manhattan winning by 10 while a year a few years after BYU staged a 25-point comeback in the First Four, Ole Miss staged their own 17-point comeback against… BYU.  Hampton was only picked by Kevin T while Ole Miss’s 4 point win was picked by just 3.  As a result, there is a 4-way tie for 1st with Kevin T holding the Points Differential tiebreaker at 15.  Boy, this doesn’t bode well for a lot of us, going 0-2 already.

37 hours after the bracket was announced, at midnight we have received 51 entries (from 39 people – 8 who are brand new to our pool), which is the 2nd most at this point in time (60 in ’14).  Still lots of time to get your entries in.

 

 

Issue # 1.0.1 “Of Legal Age!”

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Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation - Support the charity, I'll donate $2 per entry --- click for details

Monday, March 16, 2015  **HELP Support Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation**

Issue # 1.0.1 “Of Legal Age!”
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KENTUCKY PERFECT FOR NOW – CAN ANY OTHER TEAM WIN?
Our HWCI Pool is of legal age, as 21st pool commences 

CERRITOS, CA (smt)- Who can stop Kentucky?  The Wildcats completed their perfect regular season (34-0) and claimed the #1 of #1 seeds holding serve in their home state in the Midwest Region.  Incredibly, you can pick the field (any of the other 67 teams) at even money to win the tournament.  The Wildcats beat Wichita St last year, who was also undefeated entering the tournament.  The other #1 seeds were E-Villanova, S-Duke, and W-Wisconsin, who won the Big Ten tournament shutting out #7E-Michigan St in overtime.  Despite not getting a #1 seed, the Big 12 got 7 of their 10 teams in the tournament matching the Big Ten.  The new Big East got six teams in and when joined with the other Power 5 conferences, garnered 29 of 36 at-large bids.  One of the biggest surprises, though great for us local folks, was #11S-UCLA making it not only in the tournament, but not as a bubble last 4 in team.  And one of the more entertaining parts of the slow Selection Show was watching the deer-caught-in-the-headlights look of Chairman Scott Barnes try to explain why UCLA made it and ignoring they are playing #6S-SMU, coached by ex-Bruin coach Larry Brown.  Our very own Anteaters of #13E-UC-Irvine are in their very first tournament (beating my local favorite Hawai’i) and rounding out the last California team, #8S-San Diego St. will travel to Charlotte.

Besides the Bruins, Continue reading »

5th HWCI NCAA First Four for Charity (Due: 3:40 pm PDT Tuesday)

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n2015_dr-susan-loveWhile you decide who will win the tourney, for the 5th year I’m doing the HWCI NCAA First Four for Charity, where I will donate $2 per entry to a charity, this year the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation for breast cancer research which rates high on spending donations responsibly. This First Four for Charity is free and you just have to submit (you can comment on this post to enter) who the four First Four winners will be and by what point margin. For example: Hampton by 3, BYU by 6, North Florida by 1, and Dayton by 15. The four games are Hampton vs Manhattan, Ole Miss vs BYU, North Florida vs Robert Morris, and Boise St vs Dayton. Get your entry by 3:40 pm PDT Tuesday.  As a bonus, Continue reading »