UPDATE: Heather has Gonzaga

Heather picked UNC in the Sweet Sixteen.  The mistake was found before tip of the first game so her pick is automatically Gonzaga as they are all she has left.  So whoever's team wins - wins the pot.

Sorry for the confusion.

Final picks - It all comes down to the Carolinas

Okay folks we are down to the last night of excitement! Here are the picks followed by possible winner scenarios.  Default championship game picks are in parenthesis. 

Amy: UNC

Heather: UNC (Gonzaga)

Marlo: South Carolina (Oregon)

And the possible outcomes are:

If UNC wins and Gonzaga wins then Heather wins the whole pot as Amy and Marlo have nobody left for the final pick.

If UNC loses and South Carolina wins then Marlo gets the whole pot. 

If UNC and South Carolina both win or both lose then the three folks split the pot.

Thanks again to everyone for playing! See ya again next year!

Three Amigos

Sorry for the delay in getting this updated!  

We are down to three potential survivors - Heather, Marlo and Amy.  It's looking like it will come down to who has a pick for the championship game. . . . Once Final Four picks have been submitted I'll break down the possible outcomes.

Most everyone has paid - there are 5-6 left who haven't.  Please, please get your money to me if you're still outstanding so that I can pay the full, projected pot to the winner next week!

Elite Eight picks

Sorry for the delay posting picks.  But because I know you're all actually waiting to hear about the meet.  My hurdlers looked very good for their second outing.  Emmie is poised to defend both state titles and my little freshman is coming on strong!

Now for the basketball picks:

Florida: Matt

Kansas: Sarabeth and Ellen

South Carolina: Amy and Heather

UNC: Marlo

Also, a correction to the last post.  Matt has 4 teams left including this pick.  I shouldn't try to count things at 5 A.M.  Sorry!

Looking ahead

Here's a quick run down of where the six survivors sit headed into the Elite Eight.  It's a pretty even field.  This may well be a year with a split pot. Matt has the fewest options moving forward but he has some strong selections left.  However, if it goes down to the championship game he will not have a viable pick left. 

Elite Eight picks will be posted but likely not until later this afternoon/evening as we are hosting a big meet today.  Come out to the BC track for the day and enjoy the weather and watch a crowd full of reigning state champions compete!

Now - here is a run down of how many of the 8 remaining teams each player has used:

Amy - 3/8

Marlo - 2/8

Matt - 6/8

Sarabeth - 3/8

Ellen - 3/8

Heather - 3/8

Sweet Sixteen: Friday Picks

Here are today's eight picks.  Not consensus favorite though UNC leads the pack with three backers.  There are folks on both sides of a couple games so the numbers are guaranteed to shrink tonight.

Baylor: Brett

Florida: Amy

Kentucky: Marlo

South Carolina: Ellen

UCLA: Mark

UNC: Heather, Sarabeth and Matt

GO CATS!

Deja vu all over again

Xavier has rocked our Survivor challenge once again! Their upset of Arizona sent 15 folks home (Mac provided proof of a pick submission I had missed).  Seven others joined the Wildcat fans with Michigan's loss.

Headed into today's games we have just 8 folks left in the hunt! Along with today's picks I'll provide a little analysis of who has options moving forward into the Elite 8 round this weekend (assuming people make it that far).

Sweet Sixteen: Thursday picks

Thirty-three folks enter the round of 16 still looking to survive. Arizona would be the next Florida State, literally.  If Xavier stages another upset the Wildcat loss would send 14 packing.  

As of this post at 12:20 Mac and Jenny failed to submit a pick. If they can show me an email/text proving I missed something they are back in. Otherwise we will be down to 31 at tip-off. 

We have people on both sides of every match-up except Arizona.  So people will be going home tonight!  

Today's picks:

Arizona: Kelley, Jared, Bruce, Deem, John E, Kyle, KT, Chad, Mann 2, Sara, Will, Mike S, David T and Megan

Gonzaga: Marlo, Ellen and Sarabeth

Kansas: Amy, Brett, Matt and Heather

Michigan: Brendon, Britt, Casey, Little, David L, Jacky and Brittany

Oregon: Mark

Purdue: Jean

West Virginia: Josh W

One more friendly reminder to please pay up!

Round Two: Sunday picks

Without further ado . . . here are today's picks:

Baylor: Kelley, Jared, Casey, John E, Little, Jenny, Will, Mike S, Ellen, Mark K and Megan

Duke: Zach, Zach 2 and Jane

Kansas: Jacky

Kentucky: Chad K and Deem

Louisville: Machia

Oregon: Brendon, Britt, Amy, Kyle, KT, David L, Mann 2, Matt, Sara, Sarabeth, Brittany, Heather, Mac, Brett and Josh W

UCLA: Bruce, Jean, Marlo, David T

Baylor and Oregon would knock the most folks out, though nothing on the scale of yesterday's Seminole loss.

Since I don't have a horse in this race anymore . . .  Go Cats!

X'd Out

The Florida State massacre of 2017 may well be the largest single elimination we've seen in Danvegas Survivor history.  31 people are going home after that pathetic Seminole showing. We were joined by Scott B who lost along with his not so lucky Irish.

I'm sure I'm joined in my misery by several folks but please, if you haven't already paid me don't skimp out on that.  I still have pay the winner and hate to look like a stooge for shorting them when folks don't pay after going out early.

Badgered

Wisconsin's upset of Villanova means we are saying goodbye to Adam, John P and Jon R.  So there are now 78 folks left in the race.

Round Two: Saturday Picks

Quick recap from yesterday.  We said goodbye to 9 people yesterday.  That was after several buy backs - 13 total for the two days "doing the dumb" was an option.  So our field stands at 81 going into today with a winner's pot of $840.

Today's biggest upset would by far be a Florida State loss with a whopping 35 people betting on them! A Butler loss would knock out 18 people and if the Zags go down 16 folks pack it up.

Here's the complete list of picks.  Updates as warranted during the day . . .

Arizona: Brendon, Casey, Christie 2, Brett, Sarabeth and Ellen

Baylor: Tom and John S

Butler: Annie, Kelley, Jared, Bruce, Jane, Marlo, Jenny, Sara, Will, David T, Megan, Heather, KT, Kyle, Dan 2, Mac, Amy and Chad

Gonzaga: Britt, Zach, Zach 2, Deem, John E, Luna, David L, Brett, Matt, Ponsoll, Jon R, Mike S, Megan, Josh, Jacky and Amy

Iowa State: Luna and Voth 2

Florida State: Annie, Klint, Patrick B, Scot B, Britt 2, Terry, Eric, Greg, Sue, Michael G, Laura, Bobby, Dan 3, Patrick M, John M, Jon P, Perkins, Charlie, Ponsoll, Krista, Mike R, Lesley S, Seth, Theo, Terry T, Voth 2, Al, Brent, Lesley W, Liz, PK, Jim, Lauren, James, Dillon and BJ

MTSU: Christie 2

Notre Dame: Scott B

Purdue: Little and Mark

UCLA: Jean

Villanova: Adam, John P and Jon R

Virginia: Dan

West Virginia: Brittany

Unanswered Prayers

Southern Methodist University was not able to answer the prayers of 12 folks in this pool with their close loss.  Add in the Creighton loss and a possible 15 people could be going home. 


Ponsoll has indicated he will be "doing the dumb" and buying back in.  I'll update on anyone else who doubles down in the morning.  And a final update on the winner's pot number once all the buy backs are factored in.


Here's hoping the Shockers don't force me to add another $10 to the pot . . . .

Friday Picks and a Quiet Start

Not a whole lot of action in the first night of Danvegas 2017.  Four people picked losing teams. Klint, Dan 2 and Christie have opted to "do the dumb" and have submitted two picks for today.  That brings the winner's pot to $760 and the charity pot to $190.

Today's picks are below.  Here's hoping for a little more excitement - which could be sponsored by either an Oregon or Baylor loss.

Arkansas: Seth

Baylor: Jim, Britt, BJ, Terry D, Eric, Greg, Marlo, Matt, Sara O, Ponsoll, Mike R, Josh, Dan 2, Brendon, Brent, John M and Jean

Cincinnati: Kelley, Britt 2, Christie, Patrick M, Little, Jenny, Jacky and Theo

Creighton: Chris H, Christie and Ponsoll

Dayton: Christie 2

Duke: Lauren and Charlie

Kansas State: Clay 2

Kentucky: David L

Louisville: Sue, Lesley S, Mike S and David T

Marquette: Luna

Michigan: Kyle, PK, Dan 2, Heather, Mark and Al

Oregon: Patrick B, Jared, James B, Bruce, Casey, Deem, Jane, Michael G, Adam J, Chad K, Jon P, Perkins, Will, John S, Dillon, Lesley W, John E and Liz

Seton Hall: Clay

SMU: Annie, Scott B, Amy, Chris G, Brett, Margaret, Jon R, Reha, Pam, Voth, Voth 2 and Megan

South Carolina: KT and Dan 3

UCLA: Mac, Tom, Bobby, John P, Brittany and Ellen

Wichita State: Klint, Zach, Zach 2, Krista, Dan, Laura, Machia and Terry T

Minne-sorta Out

Two folks are theoretically saying goodbye with Minnesota's departure.  Christie has already indicated she is "doing the dumb"and buying back in.  Based on his past participation I'm guessing the same is true for Klint, but until I hear that officially we are down from 91 to 90 potential survivors.

More updates as the evening's games get started . . . . a Purdue loss would cause the most turmoil.  Let's see what Vermont can do.

First Round Picks: Thursday

Danvegas continues to grow! We have set another record this year with 92 folks trying to survive!  That gives us a starting winner's pot of $736 and a charity pot of $184.  And that is before anyone "does the dumb" and buys back in after a loss today or tomorrow.  So a lot on the line!

Here are today's picks.  I will update who is in and who is out periodically as something newsworthy happens. 

Butler: Britt, Casey, Zach, Zach 2, Chris G, Charlie, Mike R, Seth and Brittany

Florida: Annie, BJ, Lauren, Bruce, Liz, Jane, Chris H, Bobby, Dan, Dillon, Theo, Terry T, Ellen and Lesley W

Florida State: Jared, Amy B, Luna, Chad K, Brett, Sarabeth, Mike S and Josh W

Iowa State: Patrick B, Scott B and Voth

MTSU: Machia and Marlo

Minnesota: Klint and Christie

Northwestern: Clay

Notre Dame: Kelley, KT, Margaret and Neha

Purdue: Brendon, James B, Terry D, Deem, Greg, Kyle H, Laura, PK, Matt, John P, Ponsoll, Jon R, Jacky, Megan V, Voth 2 and Brent

St. Mary's: Mac, Christie 2 and Jenny M

Vandy: Dan 2

VCU: Chad P

Villanova: Lesley S

Virginia: Mark, Little, John M and Pam

West Virginia: Jim, Britt 2, Jean, Eric D, John E, Sue, Michael, David L, Dan 3, Sara, Jon P, Perkins, Will P, Krista, John S and Josh S

Wisconsin: Vickie, Tom, Patrick M, David T, Al and Heather



If you see an error with your pick you have until tip of your game to send proof that I screwed up.

Here's to another great year - Good luck!

*Josh S dropped out so we are down to 91 participants.

Danvegas Survivor: 2017 Edition

It's time for our 9th Annual Danvegas Survivor Pool (guess I need to think up a fun way to mark the big 10th anniversary next year!). Welcome to everyone - new and old alike! Please review the rules below.  As always - I try to be fair but I am not responsible for your own stupidity and inability to read the rules and understand what you are buying into.  This year's charity will be CASA of the Bluegrass.

Your first entry is due by NOON, Thursday, March 16.  Anyone submitting a pick after the first game starts will be subject to the "I did the dumb" (rules listed below) including increased entry fee. 

Please feel free to share this with friends and family - the more the merrier! Don't forget to review the rules! I am not responsible if you are too stupid to read the rules - player error is sufficient grounds for elimination! Most of all let's have fun! 

The Rules

The Survivor Pool is a twist on the classic NCAA bracket challenge. No filling out brackets here, though.  Pick a winner each round, win some money and help out a good cause all at the same time!

How to Play:

·    Entry fee is $10 - $8 goes to the winner's pot, $2 goes to the charity pot. Additional charitable donations are accepted.  Entry fee, first day's pick and charity must be in by Noon, March 16!  Anyone who has not paid by tip of the Sweet Sixteen on March 23rd will be disqualified!

·    Pick one winner from each day's games for the first six days of the tournament. If your team wins, then you rinse and repeat for the next day's games. If your team loses you are out. Those surviving until the Elite Eight will pick one team per ROUND from that point forward.  So, one pick from any of the Elite Eight games regardless of day.  Then one team from the Final Four is picked and, of course, the champion is picked. (A full listing of picks is detailed below.)

·    Here's the kicker: You can only pick a team once per entry!  So, if you pick Kansas in the second round and they make it to the final game -  you cannot pick them again!  If you do not have a viable pick for a round - you are out!

·    Each day's picks are due by NOON!  If you are late submitting a pick you are out! Entries may be submitted via email or text.  Please include your name with your pick when texting - i.e. John Doe: Kansas

·    The last survivor standing takes home the winner's pot (or 80% of the gate). If more than one person is left standing in the end, the pot will be split evenly.

·    Charity: 20% of the pot will go to CASA of the Bluegrass.. 

·    Multiple entries are allowed, however, there is no frequent shopper discount - $10 to play. Period.  If you have multiple entries please make sure your picks are labeled clearly!

·    The "I did the dumb" reset button - If you lose in the first round (Thursday/Friday games) of the tournament, you may buy back in once for another $10 but you must pick TWO teams for the next day and both must win for you to advance.

How to Enter:

Entries may be emailed (krista.rinehart@centre.edu) or texted to Krista. Entry fees can be delivered in person to Krista (I work at the Centre College Alumni House) or mailed to 1017 Middlebrook Dr., Danville, Ky 40422.  If your money is not in by tip of the first Sweet Sixteen game on Thursday, March 23 you will be eliminated!

2017 Submission Deadlines:First Round/Thursday pick - Noon, March 16First Round/Friday pick - Noon, March 17Second Round/Saturday pick - Noon, March 18Second Round/Sunday pick - Noon, March 19Sweet Sixteen/Thursday pick - Noon, March 23Sweet Sixteen/Friday pick - Noon, March 24Elite Eight pick - Noon, March 25Final Four pick - Noon, April 1Championship pick - Noon, April 3

Multiple picks can be submitted together, but must be clearly labeled by entry and by date of pick (i.e. John Doe1: Kansas, John Doe2: Louisville or John Doe 3.15: Syracuse, John Doe 3.16: Florida) Pool administrators (i.e. Krista) are not responsible for confused submissions. You are responsible for keeping track of what teams you have used.  Likewise, I am not responsible if you pick a team you've already picked and don't catch it before game time.

Results

Each day's picks and results will be posted here.  In order to make my life easier and less redundant - I will NOT be emailing a full list of picks and results.  I will do my best to upload each day's picks by 1:00 PM (Please be patient on March 18th, in particular, as I will be posting from a track meet via my phone so I may be delayed). 

Players are responsible for checking blog postings to ensure selections have been correctly recorded before halftime of the day's first game. Any errors not reported (and documented) within 90 minutes of whenever the post goes live will not be changed.  Periodic updates of those moving on or getting eliminated will also be posted here.