That takes some sting out . . .

Well not gonna lie - watching the Spartans beat Duke takes a bit of the sting off Kentucky's loss for me.  Probably not the case for Britt 1, Eric 2, Will and Voth 2 as their dreams of $900 are over.

There are nine folks headed to the Final Four round: Brandon, Michael, Laura, Luna, Larry, Kuntz, Colleen, Al and Lesley.  I will email/text you guys with information about who to submit your picks to before I head out tomorrow.  Good luck!

Third Time is NOT the Charm

It's never easy beating a team three times in a season and Auburn proved that point with the Cats today.  Six folks - Chris, Michelle, KT, Mac, John P and David T - all say goodbye with Kentucky.

Thirteen people remain alive right now. Brandon, Michael, Laura, Luna, Larry, Kuntz, Colleen, Al and Lesley are guaranteed to need a Final Four pick  The rest of the crowd is anxiously watching the Duke/Michigan State battle.

Danvegas Raided

Our dwindling crowd was just cut by another nine folks with the Red Raider's victory over Gonzaga. Amy, Casey, John E, Herron, Hille, Charlie, Jon R, Brent and Josh are done for 2019.  There are now 22 folks remaining.

With picks on both sides of the Virginia/Purdue match-up at least a few more will say so long later this evening.

Elite Eight picks

There are 31 folks headed into the Final Four. And seven of the eight teams are represented. So we will cut numbers no matter what each game, with the exception of a Duke win. 

Updates throughout the weekend. Go Cats!

Auburn - Brandon, Michael, Larry and Al

Duke - Britt 1, Eric 2, Will and Voth 2

Gonzaga - Amy, Casey, Charlie, Herron, Hille, Jon R, Brent and Josh

Kentucky - Chris B, Michelle, Mac, KT, John P and David T

Purdue - Clay 1, Chad and Jane

Texas Tech - Luna and Colleen

Virginia - Laura and Lesley

That Tiger Had Claws

Auburn finishes off UNC with a flurry of three's in the second half.  We say goodbye to 8 folks on the Tar Heels' loss.  Johnny 1, Parsons 1, Matt, Heather, Sarabeth, John S, Theo and Megan - see you next year!

32 remain.

No Trojan Horse

The Tigers were not able to claw there way to the Elite Eight as Michigan State proves it is worthy of the 2-seed.  We are down to 41 as Ponsoll and Sue exit with LSU.

Meanwhile . . . . the other SEC Tigers are looking to send a good number home if Auburn pulls off the upset.  Stay tuned.

Sweet Sixteen: Friday Picks

Last night the SEC let me down as the Vols blew their comeback.  I'm hoping tonight the SEC will deliver a better showing as strong performances by Auburn and LSU could really upset the apple cart!  Plus, I obviously want the Cats to win!

Again we have folks on both sides of the UK/Houston game (everyone boo at Eric 1) and the LSU/Michigan State game, so we will be losing more contestants this evening.  Updates throughout the night as UK's late tip means I will be up!

UPDATE: Hille and Johnny 1 have been added below. As of this post I'm missing picks from Hille and Johnny 1.  Pending proof of submission on their part that starts our day with 40 people. Here are today's picks:

Duke - Michael, Charlie and Brandon and Hille
Houston - Eric 1
Kentucky - Casey, Will, Jon R, Colleen, Josh, John E, Voth 2, Jane, Amy and Laura
LSU - Sue and Ponsoll
Michigan State - Britt 1, Herron, Luna, Larry, KT, Chad, Kuntz, John P, Al, Brent, Mac, Chris, Lesley, Eric 2, David T, Clay 1 and Michelle
North Carolina - Matt, Parsons 1, Heather, Sarabeth, Theo, Megan and John S and Johnny 1

Seeing Red

That's how 15 folks will be feeling today after Texas Tech knocked off Michigan.  Goodbye Klint 1, Brad, Lauren, Johnny 2, Terry D, PK, Patrick K, David L, Dan 1, Brett, Parsons 2, Mike S, Swail, Terry T and Kurt.

We are down to 42!

Boiled

Well, I feel dirty for cheering that much for a potential Volunteers comeback.  Rest assured I never stooped low enough to sing that dreadful song!  But in the end Purdue served boiled Vols for dinner tonight and I say farewell along with Kelley 1, Black 1, Britt 2, Travis 1, John M, Logan and both Zach entries. 

We are down to 57 . . . .

Go Ducks!

Sweet Sixteen: Thursday picks

UPDATE: We are back and "full" strength. Proof of submission has been made and the list below updated with Zach, Mac and Dan.

We start today with 62 players.  From a combination of not submitting picks and not paying we are saying goodbye to Zach 1&2, Mac and Dan.  If proof of submission pre-deadline is supplied for those missing picks then that number may go back up slightly.

As begins to happen at this stage we are guaranteed to lose a few others as we have picks on both sides of Tennessee/Purdue and Michigan/Texas Tech. The overwhelming favorite is Virginia so if the Ducks pull off an upset we say goodbye to 24 folks! Quack! Quack!

Here are the picks.  Updates as long as I stay awake tonight! Which will at least be through the Tennessee game as I fight by gag reflexes to cheer for the Vols.

Gonzaga - Clay 1, Michael, Laura, Luna, Larry, Chad, Parsons 1, Sarabeth, Megan and Lesley and Mac
Michigan - Klint, Brad, Lauren, Johnny 2, Terry D, PK, Patrick K, David L, Brett, Parsons 2, Mike S, Swail, Terry T and Kurt and Dan
Purdue - Eric 2, Kuntz, Will, Theo and David T
Tennessee - Kelley 1, Black 1, Britt 2, Travis 1, John M, Logan and Krista and Zach 1&2
Texas Tech - Eric 1 and John P
Virginia - Chris, Brandon, Britt 1, Casey, Michelle, Amy, Clay 2, Johnny 1, John E, Sue, Jane, Herron, KT, Matt, Heather, Charlie, Ponsoll, Jon R, John S, Hille, Colleen, Voth 2, Al, Brent and Josh

Second Round: Sunday Picks

I am missing picks for Josh and Sarabeth.  I suspect my SPAM again as they've both been very good about submitting picks historically.  So I will update with their picks as I get them.

In the meantime, the VAST majority of folks are cheering for Virginia Tech.  Which leaves the rest of us rooting for a Cinderella story that could knock out the biggest number with a single game in DanVegas history. A whopping 32 33 folks would say goodbye with a VT loss!

Here are the picks:

Houston - Kelley 1, Chris, Michelle, Terry D, Travis 1, Parsons 1, Logan, Theo, Colleen and Megan
North Carolina - Jane and Will
Oregon - Britt 1, Eric 1, Hille, PK, Krista, Swail, Terry T and Lesley
Tennessee - Lauren, Casey, Johnny 1, Sue, Mac, Kuntz, Charlie, Mike S and Brent 1
Texas Tech - Clay 1, Dan 1 and Matt
Virginia Tech - Klint 1, Black 1, Brandon, Britt 2, Brad, Amy, Johnny 2, Eric 2, Zach 1 & 2, John E, Michael, Herron, Laura, Luna, Larry, KT, Chad, Patrick K, David L, John M, Brett 1, Heather, John P, Ponsoll;, Jon R, John S, David T, Kurt, Voth 2 and Al and Josh

Final Tally

After 25 total double down entries, our winner's pot ends up at $984.  The puppies and kitties will be getting $266 thanks to additional donations by Sue and Casey! Thanks guys!

As of this point we have only lost a couple folks today and currently have 69 folks still playing.  Of course, from today forward a loss means you're done.  Meanwhile the choices start to get tougher so more and more people will drop off.  I'll update as warranted.

Second Round: Saturday picks

UPDATE: The list below should show every pick less a missing pick from Michael. 

I am missing several people so I'm holding off on money totals until they have a chance to send proof of a submitted pick pre-deadline since we've had so much trouble with my spam filter.  But with several buy backs we will be over $1000.

Here are today's picks:

Florida State - Kelley 2, Britt 1, Britt 2, Clay 1, Eric 2, KT, Patrick K, Parsons 2, Theo and Colleen
Gonzaga - Black 1, Michelle, David L, Brett, Will and Al

Houston- Patrick M
Kansas - Klint 2 and Tom
Kentucky - Britt 1, Luna, Larry, Chad and Al
LSU - Kelley 2, Klint 1, Amy, Terry D, Mac, Herron, Dan 1, Logan and Kurt
Maryland - Ken
Michigan - Kelley 1, Chris, Casey, John E, Jane, Laura, Chad, Kuntz, Parsons 1, Sarabeth, Jon R, Lesley, Krista, Theo, David T, Cooley 1&2 and Brent 1
Michigan State - Brandon, Buckley, Johnny 1&2, John E, Sue, Jane, Hille, Laura, PK, Travis 1, Matt, Heather, Charlie, Ponsoll, Jon R, Mike S, Josh, Voth 2, John S, Megan and Terry T

Purdue - Klint 1, Lauren, Ken, John P and Swail

Villanova - Dan 2

Flame Out

The Mississippi State loss to Liberty took out as many as 7 people.  Clay 2 is definitely out.  Annie, Eric 1, Chad, Bobby, Dan 3 and Theo could choose to do the dumb and rejoin the fray tomorrow.

Al and Campbell, who also picked the Bulldogs, have already indicated they will buy back in with two picks tomorrow. Kelley has also doubled down after her Kansas State loss.  A full run down of numbers in the morning after I have fully thawed out from the meet.

Anteaters are meaner than they look

The UC-Irvine Anteaters just took out as many as 9 people.  Brent 2 and Mandy are officially done after losing again today.  Kelley 2, Black 2, Deem 1, Jane, Laura, Travis 2 and Rachael have the option of "doing the dumb" and buying back in with two picks tomorrow.

Off to the meet so enjoy the games for me!

Saying goodbye Sooner rather than later

With the Ole Miss and Cincinnati losses we officially say goodbye to five folks who's 2019 Survivor victory was just not meant to be.  The Tamme brothers say farewell at the hands of the Sooners.  James, Jenny and Brett 2 are out after the Iowa win.  That same Cincinnati pick could mean Klint 1 and Adam are done as well.  Jon R has already indicated he will "do the dumb" and return tomorrow with two picks.

There are a few more potential upsets brewing.  I will do my best to update while out and about.

First Round Picks: Friday

After 11 folks "did the dumb" we are up to a winner's pot of $872 and we have roughly 92 people still in the game.  I say roughly because I'm missing a pick for Josh at the moment.  Given yesterday's email issues I'm not officially kicking him out of the count until later.   He could, also, choose to "do the dumb" to buy back in . . . .UPDATE: Josh sent proof of a pick submitted earlier for Houston.

Hands down Houston and the two Techs would take out the most people.  Here is the full list:

Buffalo - Eric 2, Herron, Dan 2, Swail and Brent 2
Cincinnati - Klint 1, James, Adam, Jenny, Brett 2 and Jon R
Houston - Black 1, Brandon, Britt 2, Lauren, Zach 1 and 2, Michael, Larry, PK, Kuntz, Dan 1 and 2, Jenny, Parsons 2, Heather, John P, Krista, Mike S, Kurt, Voth 2 and David T and Josh
Iowa State - Britt 1, Ken, Vickie, Patrick M, John M, Abby, Jacob, Seth, Voth 1 and John E
Kansas State - Kelley 2, Black 2, Deem 1, Jane, Laura, Travis 2, Rachael, Mandy and Brent 2
Mississippi State - Annie, James, Clay 2, Eric 1, Campbell, Chad, Bobby, Dan 3, Theo and Al
Ole Miss - Jacob and Seth
Oregon - Luna
Tennessee - Will
Texas Tech - Brad, Amy, Clay 2, Casey, Johnny 2, Terry D, Sue, KT, Patrick K, David L, Brett 1 and 2, Logan, Sarabeth, Mandy, John S, Ponsoll and Megan
Virginia - Travis 1
Virginia Tech - Kelley 1, Klint 2, Chris B, Michelle, Clay 1, Johnny 1, Mac, Tom, Matt, Charlie, Krista, Terry T, Voth 1, Brent 1, Lesley, Hille, Colleen and Parsons 1

Updates as I can today but we have a meet tonight and I am confident my fingers will be too numb from cold to type updates!

What's the frequency Kenneth?

I'm struggling this year with the email!  We found Kenneth!  He emailed my gmail long before the deadline so he is in as #98 with Villanova!  The full list has been updated. 

With Seth, Brett 2 and me buying back in we are up to 101 entries for $808 in the winner's pot. More updates to follow!

Stupid SPAM

So my email spam filter is absolutely bonkers and caught several picks.  I just fished them out of the daily report and white-listed everyone so hopefully we will be good moving forward.

But that brings our initial number of entries up to 97!!!!  So a starting pot of $776!

Brandon, Patrick K, Hille and David L's picks will be added to the original list.

Should have called a stripper . . . .

. . . instead of betting on Louisville.  Ten folks - including yours truly - picked the Cards and are set to go home at the earliest possible point in this game!  Seth has already indicated he's buying back in by exercising the "I did the dumb" clause and picking TWO games from tomorrow.

Others who are either saying goodbye or forking over another $10 are James, Chris G, Marlo, Dan 2, Brett 2, Christina, Jacob and Voth 1.  I'll update as I hear who is officially in and out.

If this is any indication this could be a WILD and very short Survivor pool!

First Round Picks: Thursday

Another year, another dollar . . . . or for the potential winner(s) another few hundred dollars.  We start with a record 93 entries.  So before anyone "does the dumb" the winner's pot starts at $744 and the puppies are getting $186.

If Northeastern plucks some Jayhawk feathers, or if the Boilermakers fail to heat up their water, then we could see several folks doubling down or saying goodbye very early!  And to spare you from anymore bad puns on this Thursday . . . . here are the picks!

Auburn - Amy, Casey, Mac, Tom, Heather, Will, Rachael, David, Bobby and Patrick K
Belmont - Mandy and Jenny
Gonzaga - Kuntz
Florida - Swail
Florida State - Kelley 2, Klint 1, Black 2, Vickie, Dan 3, Zach 1, Zach 2 and John P
Kansas - Brad, Lauren, Eric 1, Jane, Michael G, Adam, KT, PK, John M, Parsons 2, Jon R, John S, Theo, Brent 1, Chris B, Terry T, Kurt, Terry D, Lesley and Brandon
Louisville - James, Marlo, Dan 2, Brett 2, Chris G, Krista, Christina, Seth, Voth 1 and Jacob
LSU - Colleen and Voth 2
Maryland - Clay 1, Chad and Megan
Marquette - Clay 2
Michigan - Johnny 1, Sue, Larry, Travis 1 and Logan
Michigan State - Black 1
Nevada - Jim
Purdue - Klint 2, Britt 2, Michelle, Johnny 2, Deem 1, John E, Patrick M, Brett 1, Matt, Parsons 1, Charlie. Mike S, Laura, Ponsoll and David L and Hille
Seton Hall - Deem 2
Syracuse - Brittany and Brent 2
Villanova - Annie, Kelley 1, Britt 1, Herron, Sarabeth, Al, Travis 2, Josh and Ken
Wofford - Eric 2, Campbell, Luna, Dan 1 and Abby

Go Cats!

2019 Danvegas Survivor Pool Rundown

Here we go again! Year number 11 of the Danvegas Survivor Pool!  As with years past feel free to share with any friends or family you think may be interested.  The more the merrier!

Whether you've been with us all 11 years, or you're a newcomer - please read the rules below! In particular please pay attention to the payment deadline! I've been a little soft on this in the past but, frankly, I'm tired of losing money on this endeavor so I'm going to stop being nice. If you have not paid your entry fee and/or double-down fees by the tip of the Sweet Sixteen then you will be eliminated AND you will not be allowed to participate next year unless your money is in before the first pick is due.

The Rules

The Survivor Pool is a twist on the classic NCAA bracket challenge. Pick a winner each round, win some money and help out some puppies and kitties 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 and first day's pick must be in by NOON, March 21! Anyone who hasn't paid by tip of the Sweet Sixteen will be disqualified AND will not be allowed to play next year unless money is in BEFORE first pick is due.
• Pick one winner from each day's games for the first six days of the tournament (excluding play-in games).  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 then start picking one team per ROUND. So one pick from any Elite Eight games, regardless of day. Then one Final Four team and, of course, the champion. (A full listing of picks is below.)
• Here's the kicker: You can only pick a team ONE TIME per entry! 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, then you are out!
• Each day's picks are due by NOON! Entries may be submitted via email or text. If you have multiple entries please clearly state which team goes with which pick. (Krista1 - Kentucky; Krista 2 - Gonzaga)
• The last survivor standing takes home the winner's pot.  If there is more than one person left standing then the pot will be split evenly.
• The charity gets 20% of the pot - this year that charity is the Danville-Boyle County Humane Society.
• Multiple entries are allowed.  However, there is no frequent shopper discount - $10 to play. Period. 
• The "I did the dumb" reset button: If you lose in the first round (Thursday or Friday games - March 21 or 22) you may buy back in ONCE for another $10, but you must pick TWO teams from the next day's games and both must win for you to advance. 

How to Enter:
Entries may be emailed or texted to Krista. Entry fees can be delivered in person to Krista (Centre College Alumni House) or mailed to 1017 Middlebrook Drive, Danville.  If your money is not in by tip of the first Sweet Sixteen game on Thursday, March 28 you will be eliminated!

2019 Submission deadlines:
First Round/Thursday pick: Noon, March 21
First Round/Friday pick: Noon, March 22
Second Round/Saturday pick: Noon, March 23
Second Round/Sunday pick: Noon, March 24
Sweet Sixteen/Thursday pick: Noon, March 28
Sweet Sixteen/Friday pick: Noon, March 29
Elite Eight pick: Noon, March 30
Final Four pick: Noon, April 6
Championship pick: Noon, April 8

If you feel like jinxing yourself, you may submit multiple days worth of picks at once but you are responsible for clearly labeling which pick goes with which day.  Pool administrator (aka Krista) is not responsible for confused submissions! Likewise, if you pick a team you've already picked and do not notice before tip of the game you are out!

Results:
Each day's picks and results will be posted here. In order to make my life easier - 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. However it's track season so on Saturdays that may get delayed a little. Additionally, if the contest continues to the Final Four keep an eye out for alternate posting schedules as I will be out of the country.

Players are responsible for checking the posts here to ensure that selections are accurately recorded before halftime of the day's first game. Any errors not reported (and documented) within 90 minutes of the list going live will not be changed. Periodic updates of those moving on or being eliminated will also be posted here.

Cheers and Good Luck!