Elite 8 picks

We know one thing today that we did not know yesterday.  The 2021 winner of the Danvegas Surivor Pool will be a lady!  Amy and Patty are dueling it out to take home the prize money.  Here are their picks:

Baylor: Patty

Houston: Amy

Do we have a winner?

With the Tide rolling out we say goodbye to Pat Black, Buckley, Greg and Sara.  That leaves Amy and Patty. Amy is through safely with her potentially very wise choice to burn the overall #1 seed to guarantee a pass through this round.  Will Patty push Amy to an Elite 8 match-up? Only the USC Trojans know the answer to that question.

Sunday - Sweet 16 picks

There are 6 folks still in the mix. An Alabama loss would take out all but two . . . . Here are the picks:

Alabama: Pat Black, Buckley, Greg, and Sara

Gonzaga: Amy

USC: Patty

Reminder: If you survive this round you owe ONE TEAM from the Elite 8 games. 

Correction/Note on previous picks

 It has been brought to my attention that according to the blog posts it looks like Patty double picked Alabama and Britt 2 double picked Arkansas.  I've gone back through the email submissions. Patty's pick last Saturday was actually Kansas, not Alabama.  That mistake is on me.  Unfortunately for him, Britt has picked Arkansas twice. So he is out. 

We have six players left pending the outcome of the Syracuse/Houston game. Pat Black, Buckley, Amy, Greg, and Sara have moved on with the Razorback's razor-thin win. Patty is in with Houston until/unless the Orangemen take her out. 

Lucky 7?

There are technically still 7 folks alive as we say goodbye to Boozer, Eric, Jon H, Mandy, Heather, Charlie, Brian T and Al.  However neither Arkansas or Houston has advanced yet so we will see how lucky the remaining 7 folks are.  The 8 folks that just went out will be rooting for Syracuse and Oral Roberts for a shot at splitting the pot 15 ways which is still better than nothing.

Saturday - Sweet Sixteen picks

Sister Jean has a lot of fellow fans today. Eight of the 15 remaining players will be cheering on Loyola. Patty stands alone hoping that Oregon State and Oral Roberts wins will leave her the 2021 Survivor champ.  

Here are the picks. Stay tuned for updates as our field changes.

Arkansas: Pat Black, Britt 2, Buckley, Amy, Greg and Sara

Houston: Patty

Loyola: Boozer, Eric 1, Jon H, Mandy, Heather, Charlie, Brian T and Al

The upsets continue . . .

The mighty Ducks of Oregon took out another 2 seed in Iowa, and with it another 4 players.  So long Terry, Heather, Sarabeth and David. Hope we see you again next year! There are now 15 players vying for $900+ winner's pot!

Monday - Round Two picks

Compiling today's list took a lot less time than yesterday! Here are the picks. A UCLA loss would take the most remaining players out with 9 folks cheering on the Bruins. Updates as warranted. 

I for one will be cheering for all potential Cinderalla teams so today I'm all for Abilene Christian - which makes for a natural "Go Cats" cheer!

Alabama: Amy and Patty

Creighton: Pat Black, Jon H and Charlie

Iowa: Terry, Heather 2, Sarabeth and David

Michigan: Mandy

UCLA: Boozer, Britt 2, Buckley, Eric 1, Greg, Sara, Heather 1, Brian T and Al

Deadliest day in Danvegas history

WOW! Just WOW!  We started yesterday with 65 folks.  We wake up this morning with just 19 still standing!  Sunday's 46 exits is easily the most folks to lose in one day in the 13 years I've been doing this. The tournament has proven as unpredictable as, well, I predicted. 

Need an exterminator? Call Oral Roberts

 

Oral Roberts just killed off 27 pesky players including yours truly. We are now down to 29 players. 

Razorbacks take out three

With Texas Tech's fall to Arkansas we say goodbye to Sue, Clay 1 and Brent.  Our number is down to 57.

And no gloating here because the Gators are currently poised to take a slew of us out!

Not so Huggy Bear

The first five folks are headed home and probably no longer in the market for this sweet t-shirt. Though the remaining 60 of us might be more interested as the WVU loss gets us one step closer to winning. 

The two games with the most necks on the line - Nova and Florida - have yet to start so it might be an interesting night. 

Sunday - Second Round picks

We had 10 folks decide to "do the dumb" and buy back in after the series of upsets last night tossed a good chunk of our players. My math was off yesterday. We had 93 original entries and we've now had 27 folks double down.  So that makes a winner's pot of $960.  Thanks to a few extra donations our charity pot ended up at $275.

Here are the picks for today. Remember, at this point a loss means goodbye!  We start today with 65 players (Bryan 2 failed to submit a pick. If he can prove I missed it somewhere I will add him back in.) We have a lot of folks riding the gator train today.  Villanova is a close second favorite pick. So either of those upsets would really hurt our numbers. Let's play ball!

Arkansas: Duke

Baylor: Jon H and Charlie

Florida: Britt 1, Michelle, Eric 2, Deem, Michael, Zack H1, Zack H2, Herron, Duke, Hardy, PK, Chad, Cullen, John K, Mike K, Jenny, Brett 1, John P, Matt, Jon P, K, Seong, Terry, Clay 2, Cooley 1&2, Ponsoll and Josh

Houston: Greg, Heather 1, Michael, Sarabeth, Al and Josh

North Texas: Britton

Oklahoma State: Ian, Brayden, Eric 2, Deem, Sue, AJ, Larry, KT, Jenny, John M, Bany, Jon R and Swail

Texas Tech: Sue, Clay 1 and Brent

Villanova: Pat Black, Boozer, Britt 2, Brad, Amy, Eric 1, Terry, Patty, Zack H 2, Mandy, Brett 1, Sara, Heather 2, Swail, Brian T and David

West Virginia: Lauren, John D, Tom, Brett 2 and BJ

Not so cavalier now

 

Nine of us just lost some swagger with the Virginia loss. Three folks are gone for good after "doing the dumb" and picking Virginia for a buyback team. Josh has already indicated that he will double down tomorrow. That leaves 6 others - Deem, Rebecca, Michael, Ben, Swail and Megan - with a decision to make before noon tomorrow. 

Iona be Ricky P

Slicky Ricky almost worked his magic against Bama.  In the end, Bryan 4 says goodbye. I would call the Iona pick brave except Bryan hedged his bets three other ways so . . . 

Saturday - Round One Picks

Well folks, life got in the way. Sorry for the delay. Here are the Saturday picks.  Several folks are through safely with Kansas, Florida State, LSU and Colorado.  Duke makes an exit (pending buyback) with Georgetown's loss. 

Speaking of buybacks.  We had 17 folks double down after losing yesterday.  So with the 92 original entries and the 17 buybacks, our winner's pot is now up to $872. Once we see how many suffer a loss today and choose to "do the dumb" (entries that have already doubled down may not do so again) we will get a final figure on the winner and charity pots when tomorrow's picks are posted. 

Updates as warranted by upsets. Until then let's go Trojans!

Alabama: Clay 1, Patty, Laura, Sarabeth and Ponsoll

BYU: Robert 1, Jenny, Alex B and Voth 1

Colorado: BJ, Britton, John M and Heather 2

Creighton: Bryan 1&3, Eric 1, KT, John K, John M, David, Voth 1 and Brent

Florida State: Bryan 2, Boozer, Brad, Clay 2, Cooley 1&2, Zack 1, Jon H, Cullen, Mike K, Sara, John P, Ponsoll, Brian T and David

Georgetown: Duke

Iona: Bryan 4

Iowa: Michelle, KT and Lauren

Kansas: James, Cooley 1&2, John D, Greg, Jon H, AJ, Larry, Mike K, Heather 1 and Charlie and Patty

LSU: Amy, Herron and Hardy

Michigan: Pat Black, Greg, PK, John K, Jon P and Bany

Ohio: Britton

Oregon: Mandy and Seong

Texas: Eric 2, Chris B, Sue, Zack 2, Laura, Kennedy girls, Robert 2, Brett 1, Logan, Will and Brittany

USC: Ian, Britt 1&2, Brayden, Eric 1, Terry, Tom, Chad, Brett 2, Matt, Jon R, K, Terry and Al

Virginia: Bryan 1&3, James, Deem, Rebecca, Michael, Ben, Josh, Swail and Megan

A few pots have boiled over

 And just like that another unlucky seven folks have gone out with Purdue's pitiful overtime loss to North Texas. Mike K has already officially joined Ponsoll in the "I did the dumb" club.  Any other takers?

Thirteen folks may be VOLUNTEERING to double down

Oregon State upset the plans of 13 of our survivors - James, Eric, Zach C, Zach C 2, Greg, Jon H, John K, Patrick M, John M, John S, David, Voth 2 and Brent 2. Bryan 3 was booted by the Georgia Tech loss.

Will any of these folks join Ponsoll in buying their way back in? We shall see . . . . 

Dumb de dumb dumb

Oral Roberts' upset of the Buckeyes leaves Ponsoll, Theo and John E trying to decide whether to do the dumb. 

Britton is Aggie-tated

 

It was a rough first pick for newbie Britton. Is our first double-down coming? Stay tuned to see.

Three more are poised to face doing the dumb if the Buckeye's fall . . . . . The Madness has begun!

Friday - Round One Picks

 

I'm later than normal getting the picks up but here you go!  We ended up with 92 players (one shy of our record).  That starts the winner's pot at $736 before anyone "does the dumb."  Let the fun begin!

Arkansas: Bryan 2, Boozer, Britt 1 & 2, John D, Patty, Zach H 2, AJ, PK, Brian S, J Pollom, Brian T, Megan and Al

Florida: Amy

Georgia Tech: Bryan 3

Houston: Michelle, Lauren, Sue, Cullen, Logan and Will

Loyola: Clay 2, Josh, Brett 2 and Bany

Ohio State: John E, Ponsoll and Theo

Oklahoma State: Bryan 4, Alex B, Chris B, Pat Black, Terry, Mandy, Kennedy girls, Ben, Sara, Jon P, Heather 2, Sarabeth, K, Brian S, and Terry

Purdue: Bryan 1, Garry, Mac, Laura, Mike, Shae and Voth 1

San Diego State: Chris G and KT

Tennessee: James, Eric, Zach C 1, Zach C 2, Greg, Jon H, John, Patrick M, John M, John S, David, Voth 2 and Brent 2

Texas Tech: Ian, BJ, Herron, Hardy, Robert 1 and Heather 1

Utah State: Britton

Villanova: Brayden, Eric 2, Deem, Rebecca, Duke, Tom, Chad and Matt

West Virginia: Brad, Michael G, Zack H, Larry, Robert 2, Jenny, Brett, Brittany, Jon R, Charlie, and Brent 1

Wisconsin: Clay

2021 Danvegas Survivor Rundown - We are officially a teenager!

 

Everyone mask up and let/s see if we can actually get through what will be the lucky 13th Danvegas Survivor Pool for someone!  We are about three days away from Selection Sunday.  While we know several legendary teams including UK and Duke will NOT be attending the Big Dance this year, this may prove to be one of the craziest years yet simply because so many teams are "new" and not the traditional powerhouses. So whether you're flipping a coin to make your picks this year, or you're frantically researching Loyola Chicago's offense set, first round picks will be due in a week.  Who's playing? 

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 13 years, or you're a newcomer - please read the rules below! In particular please pay attention to the schedule - the NCAA has shifted things over a day so no Thursday play this year.  That means first round picks are due by NOON FRIDAY, MARCH 19!

Also, 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 19! 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 (Friday or Saturday games - March 19 or 20) you may buy back in ONCE per entry 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), sent via PayPal or mailed to 1017 Middlebrook Drive, Danville.  If your money is not in by tip of the first Sweet Sixteen game on Saturday, March 27 you will be eliminated!

2021 Submission deadlines:
First Round/Friday pick: Noon, March 19
First Round/Saturday pick: Noon, March 20
Second Round/Sunday pick: Noon, March 21
Second Round/Monday pick: Noon, March 22
Sweet Sixteen/Saturday pick: Noon, March 27
Sweet Sixteen/Sunday pick: Noon, March 28
Elite Eight pick: Noon, March 29
Final Four pick: Noon, April 3
Championship pick: Noon, April 5

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, I do have an actual job so this may not always happen. 

Players are responsible for checking the posts here to ensure that selections are accurately recorded before halftime of the day's first game (or roughly 90 minutes after posting). 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!