2007 March Madness Notes

4/8/07

Final notes.

Records Set

It was a record setting year. We broke the record for most entries in every bracket except one (women's). Between having a lot more entries and the lack of upsets in some tournaments (men's) and many in others (hockey), a number of individual records were set.

Hockey - A three seed wins the tournament. Not a single one seed makes the frozen four. No one predicted the eventual winner (Michigan St.). Jon Letendre's winning score of 13 points was 3 points worse than the previous low scoring win. On the other end of the standings, Jason Ledsworth's 4 point total and 27% pick percentage were both all time lows.

NIT - This is usually an unpredictable tournament but all the one seeds made it to Madison Square Garden for the semi-finals. The NIT seems to change its format each year so the point totals swing around. Winner Herb Warden, Sr. did manage to score the highest pick percentage (77%) in contest history. On the other end, Scott Ruthart managed to score the lowest point total (11) in contest history.

Women - There were more upsets than usual as winner TT3 had the second lowest winning score in history (82). Bill Boyd was able to break records for lowest points (50) and pick percentage (57%).

Second Chance - No records as Chris Malone took first in the second highest point total (23). Last place Michael Borsellino can take consolation in knowing he scored the most points by a last place finisher in second chance history.

Men - The previous record high score (that I can find) was 95 points in 2001 by Mike Cramer. Duke cruised through the field that year. This year 33 entries tied or beat that point total. Four entries tied or broke the old record and didn't even pick the correct team to win it all. Needless to say, Tim Willingham shattered both old records for points (102, as did Chris Franco) and pick percentage (81%). On the other end, TT2 (same as the women's winner) experimented to score the lowest point total possible. TT2 crushed the previous record low with 6 points and a 10% pick percentage. This is a record that may stand forever.

Final Winners (and Losers)

My Final Standings

Number of Entries Who Picked the Tournament Winners

3/27/07

Final Four notes.

Entries Compared to Last Year

Current Leading Scores

Number of Entries With a Chance to Finish in the Money

My Current Standing

Number of Entries Who Picked a Final Four Team to Win it All

Number of Entries That Picked the Big Upsets of the Third and Fourth Round

(This was as big as it got.)

How Many of the Final Four Did the Contestants Pick Correctly

3/18/07

Sweet 16 notes.

Entries Compared to Last Year

Current Leading Scores

Number of Entries That Can Still Place in the Money

My Current Standing

Teams Picked to Win it All That Have Already Lost

Number of Entries That Picked the Big Upsets of the Second Round

3/17/07

First round notes.

Entries Compared to Last Year

Current Leading Scores

Number of Entries Within Five Points of 1^st

My Current Standing

Team Selected Most Times to Win Tournament

Teams Picked to Win it All That Have Already Lost

Number of Entries That Picked the Big Upsets of the First Round

3/15/07

We've set records for entries in all three contests so far:

A quick summary of the champions selected in the men’s tournament. Sorry Duke (and the one joker who picked the play-in team).

3/12/07

Congratulations to Mike Manos and Ashton Birchfield who finished 1^st and 2^nd in the Big 12 tournament. Both tied with 19 points (two better than 3^rd place which is a big gap in this contest) and Mike got closer on the tie breaker. 42 entries correctly predicted Kansas would win the tournament. Last place was snagged by last year’s Big 12 winner – Scott Dudley. He went from 18 points in 2006 to 7 this year.

3/11/07

Here are the payouts.

Each entry is $10.