I know everyone expects and is used to the upsets, but this year has been pretty wild. As we stand right now, 25 Entries have already lost their Champion. That’s a little over 30% in only two rounds. Dylan F. has made a statement in the first weekend having two of his five brackets in the top 3. I guess it can pay off (for now) to enter as many brackets as you can. As for the tournament itself, it does seem like it has been one of the better ones in recent years. Just feels like more games have been exciting and the quality of play has been higher. Hopefully it continues as some really interesting match-ups are ready for Tonight and Tomorrow, with the promise of even better games over the weekend. As for this update, it’s short and to the point with some basic stuff and an interview with a past champ.
The Previous winners section is larger than last year because I dug up some of my old emails and found at least the Champion from the 2009 season until last year. That being said, Luke Z., who stopped playing after the 2010 season was the first and only 2-time and back-to-back Winner. I remember him saying then that he wanted to go out on top and didn’t want to risk losing the third year. I was able to catch up with Luke this week and he gave me a few minutes of his time.
S(taudt): How does it feel being the only person to not only win twice, but do it in back to back years?
L(uke): It feels good. Really good. Solidifying yourself as one of the best of all time is a good feeling. It was a historic run that will be talked about for years.
S: Have you been filling any brackets out since? Would you ever come back? Bambi is the defending champ and currently has a top 5 bracket, if he wins this year would you come back?
L: I’ve only filled out random brackets since, entering all chalk and such. I haven’t entered any challenges competitively since retirement. Also, this year I was completely off the grid not filling any bracket out. I’ll never pull a Wizards Jordan and come back. I’ve tasted my victory and went out accordingly. I also won my fantasy football league this year (Mike Tomleague), and have decided to retire from that as well. I’m the only team who has won multiple times (3) in the 7 year history of the league, so I decided to go out on top. You need to know when to hang it up, and what better time than as the only dynasty? And who knows, maybe I’ll come back on the management side in a few years like Phil Jackson.
S: Who do you see winning it all this year?
L: I like how Wisconsin has been looking. I really liked Florida a few years ago when they won two years in a row (notice a theme?), and they’ve been playing some good ball, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they pull it out again.
S: Do you have a specific strategy when filling out your bracket?
L: The best advice I can give, and the strategy that brought me the success I had, is going with the smart pick over the heart pick. Often times you’ll pick the teams you have that “gut feeling” about. Obviously there’s the annual upsets of 12 over 5 and sometimes 13 over 4, but you can’t get too crazy, and you have to be willing to pick smart.
S: Any parting words to this years pool?
L: (drops mic)
As for the rest of this year’s standings and info, you can link to the League Home on ESPN Here
Previous Winners
2013
First – Bambino (1460)
Second (tie-break win) – Bliss Marie (1220)
Third (tie-break loss) – Dylan F. (1220)
2012
First – Bob W.
Second – Lyndsey S.
Third – Dave W.
2011
First – Andy K.
Second – Candace B.
Third – Maria S.
2010 AND 2009
First – Luke Z. (Only back to back Champion)
2014 Champions List
Florida – 24 (~30%)
Michigan State – 10 (~12%)
Duke – 9 (~11%)
Arizona – 7 (~9%)
Louisville – 6 (~7%)
Wichita State – 5 (~6%)
Kansas – 5 (~6%)
Virginia – 4 (~5%)
Syracuse – 3 (~4%)
Iowa State – 2 (~2.5%)
Michigan – 2 (~2.5%)
Oklahoma – 1 (~1.25%)
Nova – 1 (~1.25%)
Wisconsin – 1 (~1.25%)
Kentucky – 1 (~1.25%)
Creighton – 1 (~1.25%)
Total of 82
Current Leaders & PPR
Leaders
Dylan F. 3 (500)
Craig D. 2 (480)
Dylan F. 2, Bambino 4, Dave W. 2 (470)
PPR (Possible Points Remaining)
ALL tied with 1240
Craig D. 2
Tara S.
Andre S. 1
Shane C. 1
Staudt Jr. 2
CowboyJ81 3
Bryan K. 5
Suggs 1
Down and Out (Champs)
25 Total
Duke – Akoz 2, Sean D. 2, Lee D., John M. 1, Dylan F. 5, Sam H. 1, Lyndsey S. 1, Shane C. 1, Dave W. 2
Wichita State – upg32, Dan D., JP’S SHADY PICKS, Mark B. 2, Joe Bob
Kansas – Big Nate 1, Walt K., Kenny M. 2, Suggs 2, Justin Ce
Syracuse – Sean D. 3, Al B. 3, Ken S.
Creighton – Dylan F. 4
Oklahoma – Akoz 1
Nova – KH #1
That is all I have for now. As usual, any Q’s/Concerns/Comments/Ideas, let me know.
~Staudt
