Well you crazy bastards, we did it, we got over 1,000 entries for this year's Survivor Pool (1,072 to be exact). That means a prize pool in excess of $20,000. We'll work up payouts soon, but plan on expanding it a bit from last year to pay a few more places.
It is absolutely insane how this thing has grown over the years and it really shows that if you create something cool, and you know enough stupid people, that you really can accomplish anything....or something like that.
And hey, while you're dumping money into longshot ventures that are a whole lot of fun and full of great people and camaraderie, may I remind you to buy some horses with us by checking out:
With all that said, let's get to today's recap...sometimes these are long. But, I now have a 6 month old daughter and I don't have time to recap every game and what it did to the Pool, so I'll get in a lot of UK jabs today, and I'll still try to kick out recaps for all my fan (hi mom!).
Every year I come into the Tournament thinking, "Wow, last year was crazy, this year will probably be more normal though." And every year this is me at the end of the first day of the Tournament.
Today started calm, Michigan State was a nice popular pick but 30 people still lost on Mississippi State kicking off a banner day for the SEC.
But the peace couldn't last.
Former UK player (theme of the day) Mark Pope and his merry band of 30 year old BYU players were crushed by little ole Duquesne. You really have to feel for BYU's team and their 12 year old kids that won't get to see their dad's play in the 2nd round of the Tournament. At least they all have wives and families to help them through this trying time.
Creighton, Arizona, North Carolina, and Illinois were all chalk.Oregon advanced 88 while only crushing a few souls. We had 65 suckers fall for Steve Alford's plastered on hair as he showed why he was fired at UCLA and Iowa and never managed to get that IU job that comes open every 3 years. Dayton advanced just 14 participants as the A-10 moved to 2-0.
Texas was lucky to beat UofL this season, but knocked out 34 losers that picked against them yesterday as Colorado State scored 44 points...in the whole game.
Then of course was a simple Kentucky game where 43 contestants decided to just survive and advance with the Big Blue Nation. But, the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry. Kentucky and their team of NBA players was sent home by a dude that started his career in D2. You love to see it.
And, after we all celebrated UK's loss and the world felt happy. Some other games happened. These were like how Team USA had to beat some other team AFTER The Miracle On Ice to win the gold medals.
Gonzaga crushed McNeese State. The McNeese State that was a popular underdog pick by fans and media alike. The McNeese State who's non-conference wins included games against Mississippi University for Women (who oddly enough does have a men's basketball team), Biblical Studies (yeah, that's the school's whole name, just Biblical Studies), and Champion Christian. Shocking that McNeese State turned out to actually suck.
Iowa State rolled South Dakota State. Tennessee did what no other SEC team could do and won a game...it's something when Rick Barnes is clearly the best Tournament coach in your conference. NC State and our hero DJ Burns kept up the ACC dominance and rolled Texas Tech. Washington State beat Drake knocking out a bunch of entries, but I was in bed. And, Kansas and Samford may have been the best of the day on Day 1....and I say it may have been because I was asleep and didn't see it, but it sounds pretty great.
So we move on to Day 2. We lost a staggering 564 entries on Day 1. So, less than 50% of the initial pool survives to the second day. To the 508 entrants still alive I wish you the best of luck....we will all need it.
No comments:
Post a Comment