March Madness Update 2
March 27, 2022
“The Clock Strikes Midnight”
Underseeds, Houston, Arkansas, Miami, and Saint Peter’s all failed to advance to the final four. The blood turned definitively blue as the second weekend of March Madness came to a close. Thought for sure at least one of these teams would come out on top. But not to be. Seed #’s 5, 4,10, and 15 however will hold their heads high. Special congratulations to Saint Peter’s, conquering Kentucky, Murray State, and Purdue, prior to falling to North Carolina. All three schools are excellent programs, great records, tournament history and within a couple hours from March Madness Central .
Where to now Saint Peter? Why don’t you move to southern Indiana?
Charity News
Thank you all who have contributed additional money. The numbers continue to roll in. Final amounts and formal recognition in the next Update. You know whom you are, as do we:)
The March Madness Endowment Fund will continue to grow. As far as our 2022 charities, a little bit of information, as we will be forwarding checks to them after the conclusion of it all. Please consider additional donations as many of you have already.
Tri-State Food Bank (tristatefoodbank.org)
Their mission is to improve the quality of life for out community’s food insecure families and children by providing adequate food and nutrition through their network of local charities and organizations feeding the hungry. Established in 1982. As of this year, they distribute more than 9,000,000 pounds of food each year to over 250 programs in 33 counties throughout Indiana, Kentucky, and Indiana. For more information, contact their website.
Borrowed Hearts Foundation (borrowedheartsfoundation.org)
This is a non-profit organization serving children in foster care and the foster families who care for them. Clothing, hygiene, development, and a loving support system is part of their mission. Founded in Evansville in 2015. Visit them on Facebook or their website for more information.
Sweet Sixteen Action Thursday and Friday
Thursday night action in round 3 saw Arkansas face Gonzaga in the west. The Razorbacks held the lead in a tenacious struggle down the stretch by 7 points. With 3 plus minutes to play. Drew Timme the All World for the Zags responded. With less than a minute left, Arkansas had held court, but a late 3 with16 seconds left had the Zags down 3. Arkansas held strong. Winner 74-68. #1 team in the land is out. 29% of pool participants not happy! #4 seed rules. Likely changes at the top of our leaderboard as 4x points for the #4 seed.
Villanova outpaced Michigan in the second Thursday night from the south regional game 63-55. Statistically close but not in doubt. End of a great run for the Wolverines. Sad my only two Meeeechigan friends (aka the team up north) were NOT even in our pool this year. Curses to you! And you get what you deserve. Right RII? Villanova advances to the Elite Eight. Big Ten hopes rest solely with Purdue at the time of this early writing.
Second west regional game Thursday night saw the # 3 experienced and physical Texas Tech Red Raiders against the last tournament stand for Coach K and the #2 Duke Blue Devils. Duke shaky early with their first hoist an airball, turnovers, and more airballs, staked the first team from Texas to the early lead 10-2 with five minutes in. Duke settled in however to tie the game halfway through the first half. Red Raiders hold serve at the intermission with a 33-29 lead. Fast action in the opening minutes of the second half. Duke takes the lead after a frenetic 8 minutes in, 49-47. Close at four minutes, back and forth. Bryson Williams puts Texas Tech ahead. Banchero for Duke answers. Time out. Duke leads. Roach seals it. But wait, 2 points now in the final seconds. Freshman AJ Griffin seals the deal at the free throw line. Ugh. Coach K lives another day. Duke wins 78-73. How long does this misery last?
After escaping TCU in OT, #1 Arizona faced the electric 2nd team from Texas, the Houston Cougars, ranked as a 5th seed as the committee was stoned. San Antonio was rocking. Houston took the early lead and game on! Love the Cougars and the AAC (until times change) with Cincinnati, Memphis, and Wichita State. Points off turnovers ruled the first half as Houston up 34-28 at the half. Cougars defense stifles the Wildcats in the second half. 62-51 Houston with four minutes to go. Jamal Shead leads the way! Senior Kyler Edwards with four 3-pointers in the second half. Houston advances 72-60. Another #1 goes down. Kansas is left.
First game of Friday night’s Sweet Sixteen showcased Cinderella #15 Saint Peter’s vs. #3 Purdue in the east. Burn down the mission with a love song! Old school, Elton John!
Great end to a great game. Peacocks win! 67-64. Lowest seed to advance this far!
Providence, seeded #4, another saintly crew in the Sweet Sixteen, faced #1 seed Kansas in the midwest regional. Solid performance by the #1 Jayhawks who never looked back. On to to the elite eight.
2nd East regional game pitted #8 North Carolina against #4 seed UCLA. Love and Bacot were leaders for the Tar Heels, poised to make another final four run, dispatching Mick Cronin’s Bruins, 73-66.
In the nightcap in the final sweet sixteen game in the midwest regional, pitted the low seeds, #11 Iowa State vs. the #10 Hurricanes of Miami. (No one in the pool had either team to win the semifinals). Miami forced turnover after turnover, 18 total, that’s a need for a mulligan on every hole! Right on says KB our previous year’s champion. Miami reaches their first elite eight in the university’s history, 70-56
Elite Eight Action Saturday and Sunday
Houston as a favored team, faced the newly determined Villanova squad in the round of 8 on Saturday. All you need to know is Houston shot 1 for 20 from the 3-point line in this game, including Kyler Edwards 0 for 8. Say what? Pete Rose should be in the Hall of Fame! Save Shoeless Joe! Wildcats were also perfect from the free throw line, 15 of 15. Disappointing performance for the south Texans. Villanova wins 50-44.
In the west region, Duke continued to ride the farewell celebratory Coach K train, coast to coast, facing the hot Arkansas Razorbacks. 13th final four is now at hand for the great Coach K. All around great performance for Duke, winning the boards and a higher shooting percentage for the game, and held on thanks to a 12 point lead at the half, finishing off Arkansas 78-69.
In the Midwest, the #10 seeded Miami faced the rolling rock chalkers from Kansas. This one had excitement and upset written all over it, with the Hurricanes blowing away everything in their path in the first half and leading by 7. But then, the storm suddenly died, and literally disappeared. From the get go in the second half, no shots would fall for Miami. A total of but 15 points scored in the second half for the Canes. Dismal from the 3-point line, and no answer for the Jayhawk machine, including 21 bench points for Kansas. Final score not close, 76-50.
All eyes were glued to the screen for the finale of the Elite Eight in the east region. Upstart #15 Saint Peter’s, fanning their feathers, from the mighty MAC, ready to face the Tar Heels of North Carolina. Tip was 4:10pm. All Carolina blue to start the game, up 9-0 in the first four minutes, until the Peacocks hit the board with a three. Tar Heels too big on the inside and shots not dropping for the undermatched team from Joysey, first half all Carolina blue, ending mercifully 38-19. Peacocks shoot 22% from the field and 1/11 from downtown at the half time break. Halfway through the second period, more of the same. Saint Peter’s down 20. Low scoring affair. End of a memorable run for the little known Peacocks. Will be following MAC action next year! Final score North Carolina 69-49.
And on to the Final Four
We’re off to the Big Easy come next Saturday night! After what appeared to be a crazy, any one might cash a ticket to the last dance, the final four, once again, blah, blah, blah.
Duke, Villanova, Kansas, and North Carolina are the final teams standing. Color me blue.
Pool News
Charity money continues to roll in. Entry fees paid are doing well as usual. However several entries remain unpaid. Please remit ASAP. Venmo, Pay Pal, or check. Your Madness committee reserves the right to eliminate your entry and future entries for what entries we cannot confirm. Please take note. Don’t put yourself on the arrears list. Getting tired of this.
Leaders after round 4
With 3 games and 2 rounds left, the leaderboard has taken some turns. Congratulations to those of you who now see your names in lights. See the website for “what if scenarios”.
Current standings, and all. www.garygurtcheff.com
- The Slim Reaper, Jonah Coleman. (Former leaderboard vet for such a young man and son of a seriously great dude!)
- Greg McComis. (Oh my. The walkaway leader has fallen).
- Skip Oliver (Please call accounting)
- Michael O’Connor (Too bad about Auburn)
- Naomi Grimm (Got the shot to beat Sammy G. Tell Dad I got this!)
- Sammy G (Might historically be the best prognosticator in this pool of all time. At least before the pressure is really on. We miss the Hoops Queen)
- R II and R III. Tie. Check the entries. (Robby Wathen and his son. This is not a misprint. Trying to rival THE Jon Coleman clan. Double Mint gum)
9) JT Huelson (5 entries. We thank you, and your name is in lights. Curb your enthusiasm.)
10) Christian Fletcher (Still don’t know who you know in Annapolis. Should have said so.
Best of luck. Fortunately you may hang to cash with the champion Kansas to be)
Bridesmaid: Keith Shipman. (check the what if scenarios. I never want to know)
Last Place: Jim McDaniel???? Please contact Gary Gurtcheff immediately. Is this a mistake??
Best wishes for the rest of the event. Thank you all so very, very much. Elvis is on to N’awlins.
“Behold what lies in your path forward. Take charge of your future. It remains bright. Only your mindset can control your destiny “