“I wish I could sit here and tell you we’re definitely going to win — I can’t do that,” Huggins said. “But I can tell you that we’re not going to be scared.” Had to add this to yesterday's update - great quote!
Huggy Bear and the West Virginia Mountaineers "Got Next"!! After a passionate display of Do or Die Basketball in their victory over Maryland yesterday, I have hope that WVU can be the team to take down Kentucky. This of course is a wish, but certainly WVU showed many aspects that Huggins former school (Cincinnati) showed in Round 2 that at least made their loss to UK interesting. WVU may not have the height for UK, that could be the limiting factor, but certainly they have the discipline, the depth, the recklessness, the swagger, the ability to hit a big 3 or two, get easy buckets off of turnovers and of course - The Coach to do it. At least I hope so and certainly so does the Go Blue & Gold from Linda Genty, a WVU alum and friend from the '92 Budapest days now spending her time holding the Big Dog's leash (that Big Dog would be husband Ron - My Other Bracket Is On My Personal Server)
Cincinnati, West Virginia, Oregon, Wichita State, Xavier, Dayton, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Butler, NC State, Louisville - whilst not an exhaustive list, win or lose in the 2nd round, these teams really showed some serious heart and desire in taking the fight to their opponent I felt in watching them this weekend (and no, I did not watch all games!). Oregon especially had the "edge" in terms of determination and emotion against Wisconsin, unfortunately for the Ducks just not the talent. What a great weekend of hoops that ended with not much left in terms of Cinderellas (c'mon - that shoe will never fit UCLA!).
As far as the Hopski, certainly the apocalypse is upon us as the Iantosca Brothers (only 2 of the 3 thank goodness) lead the pool as we head into the Sweet 16. Wiltjer's Warriors (Scott, the more tolerable of the two from memory) leads the Hopski, moving up 25 spots after the 1st round on the strength of a Hopski Pool high 13 out of 16 in round 2! 1 point behind is Release the Kraken ("good" Mark and just past his 1 year wedding anniversary to a seemingly blind modelesque Argentinian lawyer who must also know something about hoops given this year's entry) and The Contrarian Crossover (two-time Hopski Champion and an all-time leading 5 top ten finishes Kyle Bowers of Warsaw).
In fact, the top twenty Leaderboard is rather full of former Hopski Champions as My 2 Sons (Jay Baum 2012 Champion) is in 5th, Broken Gopher (Blaine Rowlette 2000 Champion), is in 8th, Return of the Mack (Kyle Bowers 2003 and 2010 Champion) is in 10th, Bill Cosby Roofied My Bracket (Scott Hoagland 2001 Champion) is in 14th, UNI - Iowa's Other University, no more (Mark Conlon 2006 Champion) is 17th and the defending champion Jeff Chamberlain's entry, 4 for Brady, 1 for Chambo, slots in at 19th! Quite impressive starts! Not to be overlooked is the fact that Release the Kraken (Mark Iantosca, 2003 runner-up). Maybe this thing DOES require some skill!
I will cover other aspects of the Pool results to date later this week as for the moment, I have to get some work done today and want to get something out. I have the blog set via mailchimp to email out any updates on a daily basis (only if there is something new), so do not worry about checking back in unless you really miss me.
ENTRY FEE DELINQUENTS LIST - 5 TO GO!
- CORRIGAN
- HASLUN
- IANTOSCA ("GOOD" MARK - PAYING FOR JEFFRIES
- THE OTHER MATT POWELL
- SPRINGER
The 2nd CHANCE DANCE SWEET 16 POOL is awaiting your free entry!!! This is your true 2nd chance at glory after spending the past 4 days thinking "if only I had known that last week, I would have picked ....." Entry is free provided you have entered the main pool, though if you are on the delinquents list for the main pool, your entry will not be accepted into the 2nd Chance Dance (let's call this The Mark Iantosca Rule). 2nd Chance Entry deadline is Thursday at 18:30 EST.
Adios!
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