2021 Hopski International Pool.........It's (A)LIVE!!!!!

 

The 2021 NCAA Championship Brackets have been announced and the 2021 Hopski International NCAA Pool is LIVE!

Enter your picks anytime this week prior to the Friday, 12:30 EST tip-off of the 1st round games (YES - YOU READ RIGHT!) - 1st round games are pushed back a day this year and they are Friday and Saturday games for the first time in history!!  Thanks again COVID!!

Links to:  Hopski Pool Entry Page

Say Hey Wes Maciejewski - remember that your entry this year is FREE as you are the defending Toilet Bowl Champion from 2019!!

2021 Hopski International March Madness Pool Rules

Hopski Rules are as simple as this:

22nd Hopski International March Madness Pool - some basics and the rules:

The website address is the same as it is every year (yet I always receive anxious emails during Championship Week of "hey, I have a new email this year.  Are you still going to do the Hopski this year?"), so simply click here:  HOPSKI INTERNATIONAL POOL WEBSITE and create your entry any time up until this coming Thursday at 12:30 EST.

Scoring rules have not changed as there is something to be said for tradition and aside from that - turbo tourney is not so flexible.......

The entry fee remains at $30!!  More importantly, so I, errrrr, we can all feel somewhat productive or contributory as a result of this Madness of March, $5 of each entry fee will go to Great Lakes Outreach, a charity close to the Hopski heart that is working to build a better Burundi.  If the $5 seems paltry - GREAT!!  Click link to go to the Great Lakes Outreach and make a tax deductible and more than $50-) donation and your Hopski entry will be FREE (just let me know about it!).  Nothing like a bit of ingenuity towards making your Hopski participation tax deductible!!!

If not feeling generous to GLO - not a problem of course!!  Payment of $30 USD should be made PRIOR TO MARCH 21ST using one of the following methods:

1)  PAYPAL - use markhopski@yahoo.com, choose "PAYMENT TO A FRIEND OR FAMILY" so there are no fees deducted and lastly, reference your name if someone else's account, but do not reference pool or anything to do with gambling (paypal likes to suspend accounts for such things!);

2)  ZELLE bank transfer payment (using my email or cell, being 317 523 3988)

3)  VENMO - yes, the Hopski continues to evolve.  Use @Mark-Hopper-27

ALL 1ST TIME HOPSKI ENTRANTS MUST MAKE PAYMENT BY THURSDAY MARCH 18TH, MIDNIGHT EST.  For returning Hopski participants, a 3 day grace period is all that will be accepted - so deadline of Sunday the 21st at Midnight!  NOTE, it is well appreciated if you just make payment along with your entry and do not pull a Mark Iantosca or Brandon Snow on me and force me to send rabid emails for the next 3 weeks to get you to pull the trigger on a $30 payment!!  PLN and EURO options exist - just contact me privately.

Good Dancing.......

The Commish

**Here are the full rules of The Hopski

OFFICIAL RULES

1. HOW TO ENTER: Entries will be accepted by internet (PREFERRED) OR email through the start of the first tournament game, at 12:30 PM EST 18th March 2021.  A fully completed entry will include selections of the winners of all 63 games main bracket games (WE ARE IGNORING THE FIRST FOUR - MEANING YOU MAY WISH TO ENTER AFTER THEY ARE PLAYED SO AS TO DECIDE IF YOU WISH TO PICK THE WINNER OR NOT) as well as a prediction of the total combined points of the two teams in the championship game.  In each round after the first round, the selected winning team must have been chosen as a winning team in prior rounds (e.g. you cannot pick a first round upset and then pick the predicted losing team to win in a later round);

2. ENTRY NAME:  Please provide a fun name for your entry, aside from picking the #13 seed to win it all this is your best chance to enamor the field with your wit, charm and creativity.  Best entry name as voted on by pool entrants gets free entry next year to the Hopski.

3. ENTRY FORM:  PLEASE enter directly on the website, however, any bracketed form is acceptable if received before the deadline.

4. ENTRY FEE & PRIZE POOL:  An entry fee of $30 USD is required for each entry.  Prize Pool is split 60% to the winner, 25% to 2nd place, 10% to 3rd place and 5% for the 2nd chance pool.  $5 of each entry will go as a donation to Great Lakes Outreach.  Prize pool is 100% of collected entry fees less the GLO donation, less the Toilet Bowl and Best Entry Name and $29 for software and hosting (NOTHING FOR THE COMMISH - THE "LOVE OF THE POOL" CLAUSE).

5. PAYMENT REQUIRED BY THIS THURSDAY 9PM EST if you are a rookie or an unknown commodity to me!!  If your payment is not received, you will be booted out of the pool - NO EXCEPTIONS.  ALL RETURNING HOPSKI PARTICIPANTS get a 3 day grace period – so payment BY SUNDAY NIGHT!

6. USD ONLY PAYMENTS TO A FRIEND OR FAMILY VIA PAYPAL (WWW.PAYPAL.COM) using markhopski@gmail.com.  DO NOT REFERENCE ANYTHING RELATED TO MARCH MADNESS OR THIS POOL OR PAYPAL WILL SHUT ME DOWN!!!  JUST SIMPLY YOUR NAME as reference point and ensure $30 NET to the recipient - DON'T SHORT THE POOL!  I can also provide a PLN OR EURO account details for bank transfers, just email me.

7. SCORING:  Scoring will be calculated on the following basis for each entry:

First round (32 games) 1 point per correct pick; Second round (16 games) 3 points per correct pick; Regionals (8 games) 5 points per pick; Regional Final (4 games) 9 points per pick; Final Four (2 games) 17 points per pick; Championship 30 points for picking the winner;  MAX regular points is 220.

8. CINDERELLA BONUS POINTS:  This will be a VERY wide open year I think.  Ensure that you do not miss out on bonus points and pick a few upsets!!  Bonus points will be awarded for each victory by a team which has a lower seed than the team it defeats.  For example, say a #14 seed defeats a #3 seed:  the entry correctly forecasting this upset will receive 11 bonus points!  These bonus points are awarded for EACH VICTORY by a team with a lower seeding than the team which it defeats.  The bonus point system should make it more interesting for people to pick upsets AND be properly rewarded!!!  Examples of how this works:

Round 1:         #5 Purdue vs #12 Harvard -- John Doe picks Harvard

Harvard wins, John Doe would get points for underdog bonus.

Round 1:         #4 Tennessee vs #13 Colorado -- John Doe picks Colorado,

Tennessee wins, John Doe gets no points

Round 2:         Matchup is #12 Harvard vs #4 Tennessee

John Doe picked #12 Harvard over #13 Colorado.

THERE IS NO UNDERDOG RISK IN THIS GAME. HE IS PICKING A HIGHER SEEDED TEAM ON HIS SHEET therefore even if Harvard beats Tennessee, John Doe will get no underdog bonus points.

9. THE TOILET BOWL AWARD:  You can even win by losing!  The entry with the lowest point total receives free entry in next year's Hopski.

10.  SECOND CHANCE POOL!!  Included within your main pool entry fee is free entry into the 2nd Chance Pool as from the Round of 16.  Details will be on the website and you must enter by Thursday the 25th at 6pm EST to be eligible!!

11.  ALL DECISIONS OF THE COMMISSIONERS OFFICE ARE FINAL.  I CAN AND WILL BOOT ENTRIES NOT ADHERING TO THE MADNESS CODE OF HONOR (E.G. TRY AND WIN!!).

2021 Hopski International March Madness Pool: We're Back Baby!!!!!

Announcing the 22nd Annual Hopski International March Madness Pool!

I am sure that I speak for all of us when I say ........

Of course, nothing these days goes off without a hitch these days....... so aside from not recalling much at all about how to run this blogger thing (or if it works), I have a conflict with the Final Four weekend as we're taking a family trip to Death Valley in this thing:

Yes indeed - notice the lack of antennas or even a pop out big screen, so I will be missing the final weekend!  That said, it is not like I am going to be worried about missing this guy:

In my absence, long-time Hopski Auditor Jack Bell will step in and take the Hopski field home for that final weekend!  Barring any unforeseen disappearance, I will be back in civilization in time to make the payouts to this year's Hopski Champion on or about the 7th of April!

NOW - A FEW HOPSKI REMINDERS:

1. The website for entering the Hopski is the same as always and will be fully up and running Sunday evening after the tournament field is announced;
2. CLICK HERE to get to the Hopski Pool website with full instructions, including entering your picks;
3. The Hopski Blog Site:  https://thehopski.blogspot.com/ - bookmark this!!;
4. As always - the scoring system rewards underdog picks with UNDERDOG POINTS!!  Ignore this at your own peril - especially this year!!!;
5. The Hopski and its entrants continues to be a proud supporter of GREAT LAKES OUTREACH, a charity continuing to build a better tomorrow in Burundi!  $5 from every entry fee of $30 will be given to GLO;
6. HEY - make your Hopski Entry tax deductible!!!!  DONATE HERE directly to GLO in an amount of at least $50 and your Hopski entry is FREE - YES - FREE!!!  After you make the donation - drop me an email to confirm the amount and I will also match your donation!

OK - MORE INFO SHORTLY - BUT AT LEAST YOU CAN NOW SLEEP TONIGHT THAT THE 22ND HOPSKI INTERNATIONAL MARCH MADNESS POOL IS INDEED HAPPENING!!!

KEEP WELL!!

The Commish

Once again:  Hopski Pool Website (same as always):

  http://www.mysideline.com/u/2588/collegebbmens/default.htm

Hopski American Pie

Over on facebook "The Hopski" Group has had a few posts lamenting the demise of entries......best read or sung to the tune of American Pie btw.........

2-time Champion Mark Noferi got things started after Gonzaga's loss led to the demise of two of his then-top 10 entries this year:

I can't remember if I cried
When Gonzaga reached across the line
But something touched me deep inside
The day... my Hopski died.

Then 2015 Champion Kent Holding added.....

And they were singing, “bye bye my NCAA try”
Tried to hack it with my bracket, but it just wouldn’t fly.
Down in Auburn they’d be drinking but the campus is dry,
Singing pass another alkohol-frei, pass another alkohol-frei..

And the Commish had to join in......

A long long Hopski time ago,
I can just remember how,
that Madness used to make me smile, 
And I knew if I could take a chance, 
That those underdogs could make me dance, 
and maybe, I'd be champion for a while...........

but this year makes it 18 years, 
since i've had an entry that delivered, 
bad news each 2nd weekend, 
I almost cannot pick another then........

I can't remember my last real try
Contending up to the final night
Only to be scorched by a Butler slight
The day, the Hopski.........died

So bye, bye, my best Hopski try,
Picked my brackets with no limit but the underdogs went awry
And them good old days seem nothing but lies
Forgotten championships 'til the day i die
No 2nd chances for Bobby and I.....

It was nothing, then it was EVERYTHING!!! We Have A Champion!!!!

With a few minutes left in the final game, it was still a 3 horse race in the Hopski and then once 133 points was surpassed, it was a 2 horse race that went back and forth with finally Ryan Fazio outlasting Kyle Becker (who fell to 11th place - the highest finish from a non-Virginia picking entry!!).  Ultimately - this became the 1st Hopski in 21 years to go to the tiebreaker to decide a Champion and it was I LEFT MY HEART IN UMBC FROM RYAN FAZIO

 I LEFT MY HEART IN UMBC FROM RYAN FAZIO

THE 2019 HOPSKI INTERNATIONAL MARCH MADNESS POOL CHAMPION!!!

Since last year's 3rd place finish, Ryan trekked to The Great Wall of China in order to gain wisdom and insight into the Hopski and it certainly paid off with this year's championship!!!!  Ryan is a 29 year old commodities trader in NYC ("livin' the life").  His Dad (Michael - with a strong 12th place finish this year) and I met on my greatest sports weekend ever in Indy at the 2000 Final Four (sponsored by Arthur Andersen - oh my - R Petty driving school at Indy 500, 3 on 3 tournament that I shot the lights out to win, great seats for the games, chats with John Wooden, etc..........)

Dad Michael Fazio is just there to the right (left in the picture) of Bobby Cremens.  I am then next to Lou Dobbs (ugh - pathetic in the stock car as well!!!).

Back to Ryan.....  "My dad, who is old friends with "The Commish," introduced me to the Hopski many moons ago and we have bonded over the Tourney ever since. Though a die-hard baseball fan and Yankees devotee, I think that March Madness is the best single sporting event in the world--and that the Hopski makes it even better every year. After getting shut out for many years and placing third last year - THIS YEAR'S CHAMPIONSHIP FEELS WELL EARNED AND ALL THE SWEETER FOR IT!!!"

Peter Pell - dominating the Hopski this year through the Elite 8 with 3 entries in the top five and one time with all 3 money spots - falls to second place by virtue of the tiebreaker.  I would have put money on the <134 points going into the final (the Vegas line was 118 btw!) - so a shocker that Peter lost while Virginia won!  Not all is lost though as 2nd place is a great effort, though a few more of those (Peter finished 2nd in 2017) will evoke some Buffalo Bill / Minnesota Viking comparisons!!

  

Peter is a Richmond alum (obviously pays more timely than roommate and fellow alum Mark Iantosca) and lives outside of NYC with his wife and 2 kids (4 and 6).  He's an investment advisor in and plays lots of racquet sports, hockey and golf.  Never played team basketball (did anyone at Richmond do so??), but always been a fan.  Here he is last month surviving first career roller coaster... space mountain.  Little did he know it was merely preparing him for the Hopski Championship roller coaster that he took tonight!!

Taking the 3rd spot (and also evoking Minnesota/Buffalo close but no cigar comparisons after runners-up spots in 2012 and 2009) is Boy Try This from Jack Bell!!  Jack was too distraught over a 1 point loss to contact / respond to the Commish with a recent picture - but The Commish has ample photos of Mr. Bell.........

This one could be from any number of our 13 Oktoberfests together - but I believe it is 2001!!!  Jack still wears that mustard mock turtleneck today (was hoping for a current photo of it!!).  Jack is very active with Nourish Now , a greater Washington DC area getting excess foods to those who need it!!!  Aside from that - he is also now an official sommelier - but still returns to the home of those taste buds in Munich every September for The Fest (what - 28 years now??!!).  Great entry this year Jack - a Hopski Championship still awaits!!

A big shout-out as well to the 2nd Chance Dance Champion - After All These Years I Still Hate Duke - from Julie Grundberg - here seen back in what - 1994? - getting seduced by a cajun at JazzFest!!

Oh my - in an upset (my favorite was Oh, It's Like Salad - mainly because it made me laugh and I just have no idea as to why) - Row, Row, Row Your Boat Into USC, from Sky Kenney has won the Best Entry Name Contest and gets free entry into the 2020 Hopski!!!

I look forward already to the 2020 Hopski Pool (same website, same blog and hopefully a "freed Hopski"!!!) as it is always a great way to get in touch with so many of you!!!

Click here for the Final Pool Standings  

All the best,

Mark

And Then There Were THREE!! (say what.........)

In a potential HOPSKI FIRST, the tiebreaker COULD decide this year's HOPSKI CHAMPION!!!

In the ORANGE CORNER...

we have Pete Pell's Diakite Runner vs I Left My Heart in UMBC from Ryan Fazio!!!  BOTH entries will finish with 202 points IF Virginia can win - leaving it to that "whatever" input on everyone's entry sheet of total points in the Championship Game!!  Peter has < 133 and Ryan > 134.  IF this happens - it will be a Hopski First in 21 years!!!




**on a small side note - also in the Orange Corner - we have an oh so frustrated Boy Try This from long-time Hopski entrant Jack Bell of Washington DC.  Jack is unfortunately looking at a 3rd place Hopski finish should Virginia win the title, JUST ONE POINT OFF OF THE TIE FOR FIRST PLACE.  ARGHHHHHHHHHH! - this section in Mock-Mustard Yellow - we feel for you Jack!!!


In the red corner, alongside the GREAT ONE - ROBERT MONTGOMERY KNIGHT.......

We have The Way of Kings from Kyle Becker looking to take Hopski glory should the Texas Tech Red Raiders take the title!!!

GOOD LUCK TO ALL!!



I have but a single VOTE for Best Entry Name.....CMON - I am taking this year's Hopski off somewhat - but you can still VOTE!!!!  EMAIL ME!!

THE HOPSKI FINAL FOUR!!

AND THEN THERE WERE FOUR........

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

Not those four, these four that are fighting for the 2019 Hopski International March Madness Pool Crown:

THE WAY OF KINGS........KYLE BECKER 

FOUNDING MEMBER, ERIC GATES FAN CLUB ..........MATT POWELL

DIAKITE RUNNER...........PETER PELL

I LEFT MY HEART IN UMBC.......RYAN FAZIO

THESE are the real Final Four and similar to the Big Dance (only Tom Izzo has Final Four experience btw), only Ryan Fazio has been in this situation in the past, having finished 3rd in the 2018 Hopski Pool!!  Various combinations will put each of them into the Hopski Throne, but only Ryan has LOCKED UP some Hopski dough and is guaranteed of at least a 2nd place finish as he has two entries in contention right now.  Matt Powell is actually set to break 18 years of Hopski frustration as he has NEVER finished in the Top Ten!!

A big shout out to THREE Hopski entrants that ALL managed to go 8 for 8 on the Elite 8 this year and tie a pool record that had only happened twice in the last 20 years (2007 - Cowboy, Bill Carey & 2009 - Fishin' With the Gators - Mom Hopski - Donna Percy).   THIS year, 3 entries did that - The Way of Kings (Kyle Becker of Portland, an Oregon Duck alum that will soon be grinding out an MBA at Wharton), Gopher Broke (Blaine Rowlette, a 2000 Hopski Champion, formerly a long-time Warsaw expat (amongst other stops in Europe) now back home in Minneapolis and enjoying the Final Four this weekend) and Oh, It's Like Salad (Jeff Chamberlin, a 2014 Hopski Champion and BCU alum that had a few formative Hopski years in Warsaw in the 90s - now in DC).  Impressive!!!

After a Spring Break delay the website is updated fully now.  Apologies but there was just not a workaround this year (TurboTourney has still not gone cloud!!).

A quick stats update for 2019 as an added bonus........

Certainly a BIG spike in the # of Sweet 16 picks this year (11.5 - overshadowed only by 2009's 11.8) but 2019 swung back to a below normal year as we hit the Final Four - with only .8 teams picked correctly on average!!  Underdog points though are quite strong this year - 25.8!!  That is 3rd highest in Hopski history.

Ironically, in a year of BIG scoring in the Sweet 16, Hey Man, What's the Deal? (Wes Maciejewski, the former expat Mayor of Warsaw in the early '90s and now crazy busy Chicago suburban dad) managed to pick just 3, breaking a long-standing Hopski record of just 4 that had been held by 5 entrants over the years!!  I must say - I talked Wes out of picking Seton Hall to win it all this year or it may have been worse!!  As it is, Wes has wrapped up the 2019 Hopski Toilet Bowl victory (taking the title from The Commish)!!  You da man Wes!!

In terms of other historical feats, Ryan's "I Left My Heart in UMBC" entry has a chance to break the All-Time Hopski Scoring Record of 215, held by This sheet = the audacity of hope (Joe Drozdowski) set in 2009!!

Here is the complete rundown of Hopski Records:

A MORE IMPORTANT record has been set this year as we had 42 of our 141 entrants make a direct donation to Great Lakes Outreach - leaving me to foot their Hopski Entry Fee bill.  Those donations totaled $2,507, another $685 came from the $5 for all other donations AND an anonymous entrant matched my $1,050 for Hopski Entry Fee bills - giving us a grand total of $4,242 raised for Burundi and GLO this year!!!  THANKS!!!

Enjoy the games - I must run!!