Correct. This starts with the round of 64 on Thursday.

There's no way I actually get this running. I'll ship to somebody if they want to set something up.

Just to recap before the games start:

Qualifying games are the ones that start on Thursday. Play-in games do not count.

If any game is forfeited/not played for any reason, the prize for that game will be added to the championship game prize.

The board has winning/losing score to ensure it's easier to follow. Seeding has no impact on this pool.

Payouts will be accumulated as we go and paid in full after the championship game. My plan/goal is to update after each day of games at the least; I may be able to update some payout listings through the day on Thursday/Friday next week, with those being the busiest days. I will have all days posted after games are played, however.

Please feel free to double-check both my individual winners and running tally. I don't mind someone validating my work when there is money involved.

Thanks again to everyone who is participating and good luck all!!!

best of luck to all the runners

Yep, good luck to all! Also, cheer for Drake! (Pups win!)

Just noticed that Narionwide Arena in Columbus, OH is hosting a first round Friday. 4 games. Too bad the tickets are a little more than I'd want to pay right now. Would be fun to see a tournament game in person.

Some good matchups, too. Michigan state vs usc, purdue vs a 16 seed, vermont vs marquette, and fau vs memphis.

Edit: I found tickets for $100ish for the early session which is Mich State vs USC and Vermont vs Marquette. Sooooo tempting!!

Decided to go to the early session Friday. Should be a couple of good games!

Cokeboy - Thank you for putting it together.

That moment when you realize you have an extra $2500 bucks burning a hole in your pocket.

Have fun!

That moment when i found tickets for only the early session are much more reasonably priced than the tickets for both sessions....lol

Thanks, I'll be watching the end of the games for my numbers to hit.

No problem! Glad to give everyone a little more reason to watch the games or at least the results. Lol

3 squares left in the OG March Madness board.

https://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/1.../#post58061611

Less than 24 hours until the round of 64 starts. 16 games tomorrow and 16 more Friday. Are we ready?!?!

GOGOGOGOGO!

Hoping for a Drake win Friday night, should be a good game. I think the PGs on both teams are really good, a matchup to watch. I was telling a neighbor today, I believe this is the best Drake team I've ever seen (~40 seasons). Of course, most of that time, they had dismal teams, but of the few that actually were decent, I think this is the most complete.

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WRT the squares pool, had this idea to throw out for next year. What about taking the score at the end of regulation?

As I understand it, the ten squares 0-0 through 9-9 are just out of luck. Seems like relatively few games go to OT (?). Thus, shouldn't affect the overall outcome too much, but would give holders of those squares hope.

I'll try (but probably fail) to gather up data on OT games this year.

What about a 70-60 final? Or similar wins by 10 points. Those combos can win in that fashion still. This is one squares pool where literally every combo has hit and can be good.


As for Drake, well, I can't root for them. I grew up 25 minutes from Bradley University, did some summer camp activities there, and even got accepted to their Master's program (altho i ended up not going due to work conflicts at the time). I don't have a large rooting interest in them but Drake beat them out for the chance to play in the NCAA tourney so I'm obligated to root against Drake.

Oh, you're right, I was so focused on the ties, I forgot about the 10x differences in score. Never mind then.

Just be neutral, not actively against the pups. Plus, you should be an MVC fan; each win gets Bradley's athletic department more $.

golddog,

Because of you, I took Drake to win game 1 of the only $$ bracket I filled out this year. Don't worry though, I know little to nothing about NCAA basketball, so whether I win or lose that game will have little to no bearing on how I fare in the pool.

WRT numbers 0-0 thru 9-9, I initially thought the same thing because I have 4-4, and thought these suck because I can't win because there are no ties. But then it dawned on me that a team can beat another team by 10 points and you win. A final score of 74-64, for example, I win.

Granted, it's a little less likely a team wins by 10 points in OT, it's still possible. Just luck of the draw. Don't see a need for a rules change.

GO DRAKE!

Edit: My pony is still slow

I'm definitely not actively rooting against Drake. I don't intend to bet that game so it really doesn't matter to me if they win. I do hope for a fun game to watch, however. That's the best thing about this time of year.

I went back to 2019 as an example, and Michigan State beat Texas Tech 61-51 in a final four game that year. So 10 point margins are possible even in later rounds.

As mentioned by CC, OT games are less likely to be decided by 10 points. But overall, anyone with duplicate numbers still has a chance at any game.

last year 0-0 and 1-1 hit in the second round, and 9-9 in the elite-8
the year before 4-4 and 3-3 hit in the first, 7-7 and 0-0 in the second, and 8-8 in the third.
there were also several games in the last couple of rounds that finished with a nine point differential.
doubles are fine and a result of random results.
i suggest playing on with fingers crossed

Can't wait. I'll be in LV for the next weekend games.

I'm jealous! March Madness in Vegas is a goal of mine. Good luck and have fun!

And we are underway with game 1!! Welcome to the Madness!! Lol

First game is complete! Maryland 67, West Virginia 65. Winner is redbuck! Congrats!!

#13 Furman, 68, #4 UVa 67. The madness is on!

Unofficially per cokeboy's verification, looks like C Bids. Congratulations!

Once again, the strong defense/slow offense philosophy lets teams hang around.

Poor kid from UVa though. Hope he's able to get past it, what a way to lose.

I have C Bids winning this also. What an ending!! I had Furman in a couple of brackets. /brag