You know, the Gonzaga has not advanced past the Sweet 16 since their incredible Elite 8 run in 1999… that’s 14 years ago yet some of us still think of the Zags as this great mid-major team. And once as a #2 and once as a #3 they lost in the Round of 32.  Like this year but as a #1 seed.  Below is Saturday’s update (original).

Saturday, March 23, 2013 
Issue # 5.2.1 "Zig Zagged"
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ZAGS ONE AND DONE’D
Macie’s Mom regains leadTHE HOME DEPOT CENTER IN CARSON, CA/CERRITOS, CA (smt)- Sometimes it hard to admit, but the critics were right, as instead of bouncing from the scare in the 2nd round, #1W-Gonzaga continued to play poorly and this time fell to #9W-Wichita St., becoming the first #1 seed to fall.  That means the West Region has lost its #1, #3, #4, and #5 seeds.  The path seemed to clear for the Zags facing the #9 seed then either a #12/#13 seed before the West Regional final.  But now, #2W-Ohio St. can smell blood as the highest seed left after them is #6W-Arizona, who joined Pac-12 brethren #12MW-Oregon into the Sweet 16.  The Big East, in its last year before splitting up, may have lost 5 teams in the 2nd round but all 3 remaining teams (#1MW-Louisville, #3E-Marquette, and #4E-Syracuse) won today.  #3E-Marquette nearly pulled a “Davidson” (who they miraculously beat in the 2nd round) by allowing #8E-Butler a chance to win a nearly impossible game to lose in the last minute.  Luckily for them, Butler’s last attempt was botched missing the rim entirely.  The Big 10 used its Michigan teams (#4S-Michigan and #2MW-Michigan St) to show that it is the best conference.  Four more Big 10 teams play tomorrow.

Macie’s Mom was one of 3 entries to go 7-1 (DenverDunks1 (3rd-Tied, 65) and The Rat Pack (7th-T, 63)) to regain the top spot she held on the first day with 69 pts.  ChasCroix moved up to 2nd (66).  Suspendi B went from a tie for 1st to a tie for 57th (56) getting 2 of 8 correct.  But it was Belucky2 who tied for the worst record ever on Day 3 going 1-7 and falling from a tie for 12th to a tie for 114th.  He is just the 8th entry ever to go 1-7.  Slamjam51.1 remains in last but now by himself (43).

Although for some of you it may look bad (especially the 10 who picked the Zags to win it all), it’s not over to until it’s over, which is Sunday night.  After tomorrow’s games, you will know whether or not you mathematically still have a chance to win money in this pool.  Maybe you don’t want to know so you can hold onto that false hope but after Sunday, watch for spoilers!

We are now on Twitter (@HWCI_Pools).  As I did for our HWCI Euro Soccer Pool when it debuted, I will post using #hwcincaa mini-updates during the day so you can follow without being on Twitter (and if you are, please use #hwcincaa).  Please join our Facebook HWCI NCAA Pool Group or post comments on our blog.

Tids & Bits – If you’ve forgotten who picked, you can look at anyone’s bracket here. or see everyone’s pick in a list style here… 35 picked AZ while 17 picked OR; 10 of the 17 who picked OR also picked AZ suggesting a strong Pac 12 bias… the Big East got all 3 of its remaining teams into the Sweet 16 while the Big 10 got both teams in with 4 more to play tomorrow… …

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I used to love upsets, but this?  Yuck… 
Scott