Some thoughts after another fantastic Thursday in March…

In what I know to be a first in OTP history, a participant lost their Champion pick after the first game of the Tournament. Another contestant lost their Champion after the second set of games. Which reminds me, please (if you haven’t done so) submit your entry fee ASAP.

As of approximately 9:20 PM last evening Christine Reklaitis, Larry Hartzell and myself were still in the running for the billion dollar perfect bracket. And then N.C. State lost to St. Louis. Our collective brackets would be subsequently further decimated by the losses of Oklahoma and Arizona State. Still to think, that one of us almost became a billionaire. Yeah right…

Every year this tournament reminds us why it is the craziest and coolest sporting event. 4 overtime games, 2 buzzer beaters, and in what proved to be the wildest ending, Wisconsin managed to score 40 points in the last 12 seconds to defeat American 75-35. In the words of my son John, “Awesome!” He even brought his bracket to school today.

Stat of the day: N.C. State missed 17 free throws last night. 17! Seriously N.C. State!? Yeah, I’m still bitter.

Enjoy…