Thank you all for coming on this wonderful journey with me. The first ever Conference Tournament Bracket Pool is complete. Wisconsin's victory in the Big Ten tournament delivered the title to Jim, who scored an even 300 points out of a possible 582 and will receive his virtual trophy virtually instantaneously.

The final standings:

Jim Graziano: 300
Ed Price: 297
Rob Biro: 295
Bracket Boy: 286
Dan Graziano: 284
Jon Graziano: 274
Greg Lester: 226

Pretty tight, as it all turned out. Except for Greg. Poor Greg.



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Fullerton's win last night, correctly forecast by Ed and Jim, make them the only two participants capable of overtaking Rob and winning the first ever Conference Tournament Bracket Pool.

The winner, by the way, will receive a "virtual trophy." Meaning, he will almost receive a trophy.

The breakdown is as follows:

If Clemson wins the ACC final, Rob wins the pool.

If North Carolina wins the ACC final and Illinois wins the Big Ten final, Ed wins the pool.

If North Carolina wins the ACC final and Wisconsin wins the Big Ten final, Jim wins the pool. ...<< MORE >>

Sad to say, Bracket Boy is the only one left whose alma mater can claim a conference title...

However...Triple OT in the WAC Final!!!!

Unbelievable game, in which Boise State outlasted New Mexico State to claim an automatic bid to the Big Dance. The game was a tough loss for Ed, as it would have assured that he remained alive into Sunday. As it stands, he has to sweat out the second half of the Big West final (in progress).

Now, if my math is correct, only Rob, Ed or Jim can win the pool ...<< MORE >>

So far, 11 games in the books today, and Jon leads the way with six correct picks. Eight games to go, here are the standings as of 8:30:

Rob Biro: 278
Dan Graziano: 264
Ed Price: 263
Bracket Boy: 259
Jim Graziano: 256
Jon Graziano: 247
Greg Lester: 206 ...<< MORE >>

Five games in the books today, including a North Carolina-Va Tech thriller that may have been the best game of the whole week so far. Hansbrough may be the messiah.

Biggest upset so far today is NOT Georgia over Kentucky in OT. I say it's Tulsa losing by less than 30 to Memphis in the C-USA final.

Jon is 4-for-5 today to lead the way so far in an attempt at an incredibly improbably comeback. (None of us had Georgia in the SEC semis)

The standings, with 14 games left today, as of 4:15 pm:

Rob Biro: 271
Ed Price: 256
Dan Graziano: 250
Jim Graziano: 249
Bracket Boy: 245
Jon Graziano: 233
Greg Lester: 199

Nanu-Nanu.

        

The Big Ten? Yeesh. I mean, I guess Wisconsin's good, but so what if they're unwatchable? They beat Michigan 51-34 yesterday. That means that the entire University of Michigan scored as many points in its conference tournament quarterfinal as West Virginia's Joe Alexander scored in his. ...<< MORE >>

The seven 5-point games that have been played to completion already today have seen a widening of Rob's lead and a bunching up of a large group around second place. Rob, Greg and Jon (!) have each correctly picked six of seven. I and Bracket Boy have picked only four.

The standings, as of 5:30:

Rob Biro: 180
Jim Graziano: 165
Dan Graziano: 164
Bracket Boy: 164
Ed Price: 160
Greg Lester: 155
Jon Graziano: 150

90 mins till Hoyas tip at the Garden...

        

Jon thinks my still shots are boring and wants video, so here's some footage of Bracket Boy getting psyched up to write his next column.

As for the hoops, within the next hour, four of the top eight teams in the country will be in action at the same time.

Who needs porn?

        

New Mexico, a popular pick in the Mountain West by virtue of their late-season hot streak and bad-ass mascot, fell to Utah in overtime. Rick Majerus and Keith Van Horn were said to be very excited.

There was an incredible game in the SEC, in which Georgia fouled a three-point shooter while up three in the final seconds of regulation AND AGAIN in overtime. Ole Miss drained all three shots each time to tie the game, but Georgia banked in a game-winner at the buzzer in OT.

And of course, there was the BC comeback against Maryland, which ...<< MORE >>

OK, so maybe my Southland knowledge isn't so strong.

I really thought Southeastern Louisiana had it in them to make a run all the way to the Big Dance.
Instead, they lost. In the first round. Of the Southland tournament. To Northwestern State.

Such are the whims of the conference tournament pool. If its three-day history has taught us nothing else, it's that every lead is fleeting. ...<< MORE >>