NCAA Basketball Pool 2009
 

Alright, it's that time again--NCAA pools.

So, to join in the fun, I created a private group at ESPN.com-->Fantasy Games-->Tournament Challenge for our little clique.

After you've created an entry*, search for the group

Lawtalkers

It's a private group. You need the following password to join:

YSBDetails

One entry each (i.e., per primary sock)**, in case some prize comes along, and we need to keep it fair.

The brackets are posted on the Sunday before the tournament. I think the entries are locked on Thurs. morn before the first game. You can get the details at the ESPN site.


* Note that to maintain anonymity you should use/create an account that does not bear your real name. The name on your account will appear in the standings (as does your "entry" name).

**That's one entry per "real" person, not one for each of your many socks.

Re: NCAA Basketball Pool 2009
 

This should be going for everyone who wants to sign up now, Now, NOW.

Re: NCAA Basketball Pool 2009
 

Yes. YES. YES!

Re: NCAA Basketball Pool 2009
 

Ty and Ty@50 should be allowed in IMHO.

Re: NCAA Basketball Pool 2009
 

I'll pick what she's picking.

Re: NCAA Basketball Pool 2009
 

If Ty@50 picks and doesn't win, then he'll lose all (remaining) credibility.

Re: NCAA Basketball Pool 2009
 

I have not reviewed the results. Of course you all trust me. AND I've logged in the Ty line. current ty, PM me your thoughts and I will try to incorporate.

Re: NCAA Basketball Pool 2009
 

my entry claims it is complete, but doesn't show the final winner, even to me. NWTF?

Re: NCAA Basketball Pool 2009
 

You mean in the group scorecard? No one can see others' picks until they all lock on Thurs. I imagine it's set that way even to you for yourself.

Re: NCAA Basketball Pool 2009
 

It does when you print the bracket.

I'm in, Baby!
 

And I'm not letting Memphis kill me in the final again. They'll do it before, this year.

TM

Re: I'm in, Baby!
 

They may kill some of us long before that.

So much for hometown loyalty
 

If I had not foolishly, sentimentally & irrationally picked the Gophers to beat Texas, I would be alone at the top of our group -- at least for a brief and shining moment. Instead I have to share my fleeting glory.

Re: So much for hometown loyalty
 

but you had the great wisdom to pick the overall winner correctly, so you'll be in it until the end.

Re: So much for hometown loyalty
 

early games i was 4-0, then 2nd set 2-2, extrapolating that means I'll go 1-3 next, then 0-4 later tonight. please holy Jesus, no.

Re: So much for hometown loyalty
 

by the by, for a bunch of unfocused lawyers, we made picks like a bunch of out of touch lawyers.

Re: So much for hometown loyalty
 

Speak for yourself, Chinaski.

Re: So much for hometown loyalty
 

The rest of us can take comfort. We're all doing better than the bracket-in-chief. Though I think he's got room to come back with his final four.

Re: So much for hometown loyalty
 

you're first place over a bunch of hacks. GGG was smartest in his class but the class all still rode the short bus.

Re: So much for hometown loyalty
 

This was my experimental bracket -- just picked straight chalk. Never thought it would win, the winner is the one who picks the right upset(s), just wanted to see how it does compared to the average bracket.

Of my others, which had some upset guesses/predictions, two are doing better and one worse than the chalk.

S_A_M

Unscientific picks
 

That's exactly how I did my bracket: a combination of seed number, Big Ten bias and choosing schools/teams whose names I like. I spent less than 5 minutes considering my picks. If not for the first part of my "equation," I'd be doing a whole lot worse.

Re: Unscientific picks
 

To the extent I used any rule in my brackets this year, the rule was "The Big Ten is overrated this year." It hasn't hurt me much.

S_A_M

Re: Unscientific picks
 

Sadly, that is a fairly safe strategy every year. Although this year sucks is probably more accurate than "overrated" as other than the Spartans, no one thought much of any Big Ten team.

Re: Unscientific picks
 

But that would require actually having enough information to have an opinion on whether any team is overrated. My picks were basic uninformed gut reactions.

Re: Unscientific picks
 

except for the years when 2 out of 4 final four teams are Big 10.

Re: Unscientific picks
 

As my bracket picking strategy tends to mirror Fugee's, those are the only years I do at all well.

But are you making a prediction? Purdue and Michigan State?

Re: NCAA Basketball Pool 2009
 

I can't begin to describe how great it was to see Duke get their asses handed to them last night. They were overmatched at every position and outcoached, to boot. Complete domination.

And although I'm probably getting trounced in this pool, my other ticket in my money pool is doing ok. I have a shot, thanks to 'Nova and Mizzou, but I need to win out, which just ain't gonna happen. Let's go Michigan State, Syracuse, UNC and Louisville!

I love March.

Re: NCAA Basketball Pool 2009
 

there was a weird factoid in our paper today. MSU stands to loses hundreds of thousands of dollars (although they'll get it back other ways) if it makes the final four. Apparently, every team has to guarantee a set number of hotel rooms will be used. But it's here, so they likely won't use them.

And it's not me.
 

Someone is on fire I tell you.

Smokin.

Re: And it's not me.
 

Certainly ain't me. I made the mistake of thinking any 1 seed that lost during the season to Minnesota had to be vulnerable, and going with my traditional assumption that the Big 12 is soft. Among any other things, both of those turned out to be major mistakes.

Hopefully Michigan State will at least win to prove me not totally wrong about the Cardinals.

Re: And it's not me.
 

I've never smoked a day in my life.


Until now.

Re: NCAA Basketball Pool 2009
 

I can't catch fugee. she's won. great job. and dtb, nice try.

Re: NCAA Basketball Pool 2009
 

I wouldn't count DTB out just yet. She's dominated every round so far.

Re: NCAA Basketball Pool 2009
 

Using your selection criteria; namely, sentimental value and which names sounded good. I, too, took approximately 5 minutes to fill out the sheet.

I guess it's lucky that my sentimental favorites are number one seeds this year.

Re: NCAA Basketball Pool 2009
 

North carolina is a sentimental favorite?

Re: NCAA Basketball Pool 2009
 

Whatever method she used has worked so far. And if UConn beats Mich. State, you and I are SOL and she coasts to victory.

Re: NCAA Basketball Pool 2009
 

I am SOL, unless you resign. as to UC/MSU in general MSU does well when Izzo has 5 days to prepare. what is the early line?

Re: NCAA Basketball Pool 2009
 

Yes - a family friend played for the team in the early 90s.

Re: NCAA Basketball Pool 2009
 

I played IM at State......

Re: NCAA Basketball Pool 2009
 

The early line? Perhaps you missed that I don't follow college basketball. That I have any teams left at all in my bracket, much less all final four is pure dumb luck.