Tag Archives: Scott Update

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

Issue # 16.6.2 “Historic Moments”

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DemotivatorDemotivator

2014 Champions Roll Call
(76th Annual NCAA Tournament)
UConn Huskies		 The University of Connecticut Huskies 
(32-8)
(20th Annual HWCI NCAA Pool)
20th HWCI NCAA Pool Logo		 Karen F, aka, Badzy
(40-23, 121 points)
(4th Annual HWCI First Four for Charity)Friends of Renee Guilio B (4-0, 25 point diff)
&
Friends of Renee – To raise cash to help Renee and Ugo meet their financial burden &raise awareness of Lyme disease, which is the fastest growing infectious disease in the United States.
$69 Raised
(22 participants x $2 = $44 + Add’l donations by Charles D, Bob S, and Jeff H)		 
Wednesday, April 16, 2014  **** HAPPY BIRTHDAY SPENCER **** 

HISTORIC MOMENTS IN 20 YEARS
Badzy is only person to pick UConn and rallies to win our 20th pool title

CERRITOS, CA (smt)- So Karen F thought UConn sounded like a cool name and she rode that to winning the 20th HWCI NCAA pool among some crazy games in the tournament.  IUPUI sounds cool to me but I don’t think I could pick them to win if they ever get back in.  But she did keep the streak alive of someone in our pool picking the correct champion, making it 16 years in a row.  She was also one of a handful of players who skipped 2013 (2nd year, ’11) and included Bing F (9th year, 1st since ’09), Bar L (8th year, 1st since ’09 and 1st not nicknamed Indy), Nikki N (10th year, 1st since ’09 and 1st not including Bluestars in the nickname), Brian Z (9th year, 1st since ’10 and still named Zippy), Ken G (7th year, first since ’10), Don M (6th year, 1st since ’11). In our 20 years, we have seen some crazy plays and games that have affected our pool.

Issue # 15.6.1 “Freshmen Hazed”

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5th HWCI World Cup Pool Begins in May

2014 NCAA Champions
UConn Huskies
#7-East
(New York, NY)		 The University of Connecticut Huskies
(32-8)
4th Title: ’99, ’04, ’11, ’14
2014 Winningest Conference
Southeastern Conference The Southeastern Conference
(11-3)
3rd time: ’06, ’07, ’14
UCONN SCHOOLS KENTUCKY FOR 4TH TITLE
Badzy is only person to pick UConn and rallies to win our 20th pool title

CERRITOS, CA (smt)- The veteran starting lineup of #7E-UConn, some who stayed on despite the Huskies being banned from postseason last year, came out hungry against the all-freshmen starting lineup from #8MW-Kentucky jumping to a 30-15 lead and eventually hanging on to a 60-54 victory.  The Huskies never trailed in winning their 4th title (the same number as Duke!), all in the last 16 years and two years removed from retired coach Jim Calhoun and one year removed from a postseason ban due to academics.  While UConn was a perfect 10/10 from the charity stripe, Kentucky bookended 6/7 by missing 7 of their first 13 free throws and their last three (including a front end of a one-and-one).  Senior Shabazz Napier, while taking some ill-advised or quick shots, scored 22 pts and had 6 rebounds as he was one of the few who stayed on through the postseason ban.  This capped a wild tournament partially aided by bad seeding by the selection committee and that sometimes, just the name on the shirt (with a little luck) is enough to propel you to the finals.

In a strange twist, all 8 entries alive to win money were guaranteed to finish at least tied for 6th (before the dreaded tiebreaker), meaning two would lose the tiebreaker and go home empty handed.  But first, Continue reading »

Issue # 14.5.2 “Our Vigintennial”

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The Final @ North Texas (Arlington) (AT&T Stadium)
UConn Huskies
(31-8)
#7-East
(New York, NY)		 vs. Kentucky Wildcats
(29-10)
#8-Midwest
(Indianapolis, IN)

2ND YEAR ENTRANTS VIE FOR TITLE

A record 138 entries start strong, fizzle at end
ROSEMEAD/CERRITOS, CA (smt)- Two teams people would associate with titles made the final, but this year UConn was a #7 seed and Kentucky was a #8 seed.  Both teams didn’t win their conference title nor tournament (both were 12-6 in conference play).  Yet they’ve outlasted an undefeated team, last year’s champion and dark horse, curious seeding, high number of close games, and lengthy monitor replay delays.  The Wildcats have not only had a difficult route to the final (beating 3 of last year’s Final Four teams including undefeated Wichita St) but they have also closed out five straight close games, thanks to Aaron Harrison’s clutch 3-point shooting in the final minute.  The Huskies were nearly upset in overtime in their first game and then proceeded to knock off the #2, #3, and #4 seeds in the East before finally snapping #1 overall seed Florida’s 30-game win streak thanks to incredible free throw shooting.  Kentucky and their fab five starting freshmen are 3 point favorites.  Interestingly, UConn was 2-0 vs Florida while Kentucky was 0-3.

We will have our 19th different champion in 20 years as a couple of second-year players will battle for the title and get their first taste at money in our pool.  Bigtenfan2 hasn’t picked up any points since last Saturday but can win the 20th HWCI NCAA Pool title if Kentucky wins.  Otherwise, it will be Badzy and her riding UConn to the title.  The other six players are also guaranteed a chance at money with the tiebreaker Continue reading »

Issue # 13.5.1 “#7 vs #8, Oy Vey!”

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UCONN DOES IT AGAIN; FRESHMEN TOP UPPER CLASSMEN
Bigtenfan2 is still holding on to 1st while 8 are “guaranteed” with a chance to finish in money
UConn HuskiesFOUNTAIN VALLEY/ROSEMEAD, CA (smt)- The UConn Huskies have Florida’s number.  The Gator’s 30-game winning streak came to a screeching halt bookended by losses to the Huskies four months apart.  The last #1 seed to fall made UConn the first #7 seed in the championship.  The Huskies 63-53 win, led by DeAndre Daniels 20 points and 10 rebounds, means they are now 7-1 in the Final Four and will try to win their 4th title in 16 years.

Kentucky WildcatsIn a wild game that saw Kentucky go on a 15-0 second half run only to be answered by Wisconsin’s 15-4 run, Aaron Harrison made his 3rd straight go-ahead 3-pointer in 3 games, this time with 5.7 seconds left to give the Wildcats a 74-73 win over the Badgers.  The Kentucky freshmen (66 points, a Final Four record) once again Continue reading »

Issue # 12.4.3 “The Great Programs Finish”

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Check out this new band, Sunderland! This song "Right This Way"

The Final Four @ North Texas (Arlington) (AT&T Stadium)
Florida Gators
(36-2)
#1-South
(Memphis, TN)		 UConn Huskies
(30-8)
#7-East
(New York, NY)		 Wisconsin Badgers
(30-7)
#2-West
(Anaheim, CA)		 Kentucky Wildcats
(28-10)
#8-Midwest
(Indianapolis, IN)		 
FLORIDA, UCONN, KENTUCKY - BUT THIS YEAR?
Guilio B wins First Four for Charity; at least $69 raised for Friends of Renee

CERRITOS, CA (smt)- Well, we were denied the first 40-0 team but we do have a team on a 30-game win streak that went undefeated in the SEC (1st team to do so) in Florida.  They are joined by their SEC brethren Kentucky, who matured over the tournament in winning four straight close games by a combined 17 points and beating 3 teams from last year’s Final Four.  Could they meet in the final?

Well, the last team to beat Florida was Continue reading »

Issue # 11.4.2 “Big 10 Implosion”

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MICHIGAN TEAMS FALL; UCONN & KENTUCKY BACK IN FINAL FOUR

Bigtenfan2 is our leader but can’t get any more points
UConn HuskiesCERRITOS, CA (smt)- Two Big Ten Michigan-based schools fell while the only 2 teams who have won 3 titles in our HWCI NCAA Pool era advanced to the Final Four.  #7E-UConn rode the home away from home Madison Square Garden crowd to a 60-54 victory over #4E-Michigan St to reach the Final Four for the fifth time since 1999 (but their previous 4 trips have come from the West Region).  UConn once again was unstoppable from the free throw line, hitting 21 of 22.  Hard to believe UConn is back in the Final Four a year after being ineligible for the post-season and two years after Jim Calhoun left.  Once again, a dumb foul on a 3-point attempt sinks a team, and this time it allowed UConn to push the lead from 2 to 5 (hitting all 3 free throws) sealing the win.

NCAA Titles Since 1995
Year Sd Region Team
1997 4 SE ARIZONA
2006 3 M(MIN) FLORIDA
2007 1 MW FLORIDA
2008 1 MW KANSAS
1996 1 MW KENTUCKY
1998 2 S KENTUCKY
2012 1 S KENTUCKY
2013 1 MW LOUISVILLE
2002 1 E MARYLAND
2000 1 MW MICHIGAN ST
2005 1 E(SYR) N CAROLINA
2009 1 S N CAROLINA
2003 3 E SYRACUSE
1999 1 W U CONN
2004 2 W(PHX) U CONN
2011 3 W U CONN
1995 1 W UCLA
2001 1 E DUKE
2010 1 S DUKE

Kentucky Wildcats#8MW-Kentucky rallied and beat #2MW-Michigan, 75-72, on Aaron Harrison’s 4th straight 3-pointer with 2.3 seconds left.  With the game tied and playing for the last shot, the long 3 wasn’t as ill-advised but it worked out (why Continue reading »