2019 Update II

March Madness Update II March 30-31, 2019

Chalk Cracks

“Guns Up. Red Raiders Clamp down and take out Gonzaga”

In the initial game of the Elite
Eight, in Anaheim, California, #3
seed Texas Tech had a tall order,
but was up to the task, defeating
the #1 Bulldogs 75-69. Gonzaga
again becomes Gonza-gone,
despite gamely efforts by
Hachimura and Clarke (sounds
like a Chicago intersection?
Or great steak house??)
Amarillo by morning, but two
hours south, Lubbock was
rocking Saturday night.
The Masked Rider was the only
thing missing as no horses
indoors on this day away from
home, but the old Ghost Rider
was there in spirit. Did you know
that Texas Tech had the nation’s
first school mascot to feature a
live horse at a football game,
long before Chief Osceola at
Florida State and the USC Trojan
Horse. Of course this is
basketball, so Raider Red was a
credible stand in. For the first
time in their history and nearly a
century, Texas Tech ballers are
heading to the Final Four. A lock
down defense held the most
prolific offense to under 70
points. An unusual two shot technical foul on an inbound play sealed the deal. The Red Raiders forced 16 turnovers and limited the long range jumpers. Matt Mooney on offense with 17 points, 5 assists, and 3 steals, and Tariq Owens on defense with 3

blocks. Chris Beard, coach of the team from Tumbleweed, Texas pulled off another gem having lost his stars from last year and taking this rag tag band of no-namers to the big dance.

“Virginia Survives Game of the Year in Overtime Thriller vs. Purdue”

An unbelievable game, an unbelievable finish. Carson Edwards of Purdue had the game of his life and a 3 point shooting spree from points unknown, but missed the final attempt and the Cavaliers are moving on, 80-75. Fast paced and beyond the world shots from both teams, edge of your seat excitement on Saturday night. It’s a game worth seeing in case you missed it. Mamadi Diakite’s midrange jumper at the buzzer fell true and overtime it was when it seemed Purdue would take out another #1. Like father, like son, Tony Bennett has his team in the final show. But although both the overtime session and the end of regulation were mesmerizing, how the game got to the add-on 5 minutes has to be replayed. Ryan Cline (money) somehow missed the chance at the free throw line to give the Boilers a two possession lead. A purposeful foul by Purdue while up 3 points with under 7 seconds left. First throw made but the second missed. Diakite, the tall one, slapped the ball all the way beyond half court. In a not a chance scenario, Kihei Clark recovered for Virginia, tossed it forcibly to Mamadi D, who turned and threw up a perfect prayer at the buzzer, and the game goes to overtime. Equally close and tense, the Cavaliers held on to win, dashing the dreams of an overachieving Purdue team. Best performance of the tournament goes to Carsen Edwards, scoring 42 points including 10 three-pointers from way beyond the arc. Virginia’s Kyle Guy with 25 points on the night, returned from an ankle injury in the first half to contribute 5 three- pointers of his own. Back and forth and nothing but the bottom of the net for the two seemingly heavyweights. 33 feet. Swish. Your turn. I called Bank.

“Auburn Stuns Kentucky in Another Overtime Finish”

Charles Barkley was nothing but smiles as his parrot (Larry Bird) truly is keeping the dream alive. First ever final four for Auburn. Bruce Pearl, local coach at one time, led the University of Southern Indiana to the Division II national championship in 1995 and has the current Tigers rolling. Taking out Kansas, North Carolina, and now Kentucky, 77-71. This was a swat fest, 12 blocks. Kentucky’s length seemed unconquerable, but Auburn played with the tenacity of the hungrier cat. Harper and Brown combined for 50. PJ Washington scored 28 off the bench for the Wildcats recovering from injury, but not enough. Kentucky but 57% from the line and 23% from beyond the arc. Always a bit sad when Kentucky goes out as the local balloon deflates, but I’m sure five new freshman will bring them back next year

“Duke Houdini Act Exposed. Sparty owns March”

The Zion show is over. Ones and dones again fall to chemistry and experience. No Kentucky, No Duke. Michigan State and Tom Izzo own March. I even saw it on the T- shirt! The Big Lebowski and the overall #1 seed go down 68-67. Only fitting on the last day of March, the Madness continues with yet another thriller! All four games this weekend were instant classics. Chalk bores. Chalk breaks. Chalk drops. In their third consecutive last shot to determine the winner of the game, the Blue bedeviled came up short. Kenny Goins hit the deciding three pointer to give Michigan State a two point lead. On a day, the wily weasly one had a chance to set the record for most teams to the final four, eclipsing John Wooden who retired on this day after his 12th appearance and a championship to boot, it wasn’t meant to be. Finally after only one success, Izzy gets the best of coach K. It didn’t look pretty early for Sparty especially with Williamson having a weak first half. Looked like this one might be over early, but MSU rallied late in the opening 20 minute set, and took the lead to the locker room by 4 with a 13-0 run. Zion however seemed unstoppable in the second half, but appeared to wither down the stretch after doing it all (rebounds, dunks, blocks, and even three point shots). Cassius Winston ran out the clock to secure the Spartan victory. Solid performance by the leader with 20 points and with10 assists. MVP is right Zach Rose. Duke committed 17 turnovers to 7 for Michigan State

On To the Final Four Leaders after Round 4

On the eve of the Elite Eight, Terry Iafrate had assumed the March Madness lead after the third round, but alas it was short-lived for but a game. Red Raider faithful brought the points times three and we have a shakeup on the leaderboard. Congratulations to the following top ten prognosticators who now hold the lead after the first four rounds of the madness.

Current Leaders after Round 4.

1st- Ty Weber- Wearing Barkley Auburn jersey as we speak
2nd- Terry Iafrate - May get back on top after round 3 with Spartan win

Scott Gowdy - Posted up to the top spot early in round 4 but party is over for Duke 4th- Dennis Martin - My how you can frame this. Unfortunately the time has come to say

goodbye
Danny Winn- Upstate PA friend and supporter of the Madness

6th- Max Simpson - Glad you got your picks fixes. But had your time in the spotlight Ernie Banks - Texas Tech got you here TW, but so long

8th- Bailey Bratton - Little known fact. Keith Bratton was in 8th place last year in this exact spot. How did that work out?

9th- Rick Friedman - Hanging in there Rick.
10th- Kelly Morgan - Chicago entry. Red Raiders must win.

Bridesmaid- Ryne SandbergKerry Wood next? Hack Wilson? Ron Santo? Two in the top 11 is sensational with a chance to win it all after all these years

Last Place-Yep. That’s right. Edged out the Mr. Eaton and the webmaster in the last game. UC Irving went down. 12’s over 5’s. Or is it 5’s over 12’s??

Tournament Recap

Over 500 entries this year. Another record. Unofficial as of yet until the final accounting is done. Multiple states represented. Illinois, Florida, Louisiana, Washington, California, Texas, Michigan, Ohio, North Carolina, Tennessee, and more.

Charity Information

Special thanks to all the March Madness participants who have donated additional dollars to charity. Never too late to continue to contribute. Money continues to roll in thanks to your benevolence. Individual checks may be made out to any one of the following organizations and forwarded to me at the following address (or add additional funds to your entry fees if you unfortunately and currently are in arrears):

John P. Morgan, MD PO Box 1136 Newburgh, IN 47629

Charity information is detailed on the home page at www.garygurtcheff.com (see index on the right. 2019 Charity Info)

  1. 1  Evansville Rescue Mission
  2. 2  Ark Crisis Child Care Center: We are again supporting the Fairy Tale Ball!
  3. 3  Tri-State Food Bank (Backpack Program for children)
  4. 4  March Madness Endowment Fund: Thanks to your generosity our endowed fund is

now over $ 92,000. Administered through the Warrick County Community Foundation, our fund assists in providing grant monies for children and youth services in
southern Indiana. Please consider an additional donation to support our ongoing endeavor. The principal of the fund always stays. The interest money is eligible for grants.

And now, it’s...............

On to Minnesota!!
Final Four awaits in Minneapolis

#3 Texas Tech vs. #2 Michigan State #1 Virginia vs. #5 Auburn

“ Most people have the will to win, few have the will to

prepare to win”

-Bobby Knight

© Gary M. Gurtcheff 2013