Final Four picks

We are down to the end of another Survivor.  Thank you to everyone who played.

The picks are below.  Nobody was feeling a Miami pick this weekend so we will know Saturday how it all shakes out! 

If SDSU wins Saturday then James gets the entire $916 pot.  

If Florida Atlantic wins Saturday then Sue and Loughry split the pot at $408 each. 

I am out of the country until April 6.  I will pay the winner(s) their prize money first thing that morning.

Florida Atlantic: Sue and Loughry

San Diego State: James2

Is three a crowd?

Or just good company?  We are down to three folks.  Only one of whom has a decision to make going into the Final Four.     All three have a tough choice to make. . . . My mind is already on the beach in Las Terrenas. 

I leave the country Wednesday. Hopefully I can post picks before then. I will settle up with the winner/winners when I get back on the 6th. 

Who's with the Owls?

 An Elite 8 folks continue on as the first five of this round go down with Florida Atlantic's upset of KState. 

 I, for one, am now cheering for the Owls to take it ALL . . . THE . . . . WAY!

Elite 8 picks

There are 13 lucky people entering Elite 8 action tonight. Picks are pretty spread out, though folks are running short of choices thanks to all the top seed upsets.  There are players on both sides of the Gonzaga/UConn match-up so someone is guaranteed to go home tonight. Kansas State is the favorite pick with 5 cheerleaders hoping the Owls magnificent run comes to an end. 

Gonzaga:  Eric 1 and Laura

Kansas State: Boozer 2, Britt 2, Garry 1, Logan and Sarabeth

San Diego State: Sue and Loughry

Texas: Mandy, TK and Brent 2

UConn: James 2

Sweet Sixteen: Friday picks

If the Nerds strike for a third time, then more than half of us are headed home as Creighton is the clear favorite for today's pick.  That leaves 6 of us cheering for a 15 seed to make it to the Elite 8 again this year. 

Here are today's picks:

Alabama: KT, K2 and Brent 3

Creighton: Boozer 2, Britt 2, James 2, Eric 1, Garry 1, Sue, Laura, Mandy, TK, Loughry and Sarabeth

Houston: BJ

Miami: Brent 2

Texas: Logan

Volunteering to go home

By picking Tennessee, 17 of our number raised their hand and volunteered to go home. Another two joined them in packing their bags after the Bruins loss.  

We start day two of the Sweet Sixteen with 17 folks still trying to survive.

The wrong Wildcats headed to Elite 8

Izzo ran out of magic tricks and three folks who bet on him are headed home as the purple rather than the blue wildcats head to the Elite 8. (Side note: Unlike UK's wildcat switch - I can understand K State's decision to forgo the Tom and Jerry-esque mascot for the generic cat head.) 

See you next year Marlo, John S1 and Terry T. 

Unless the comeback of all comebacks happens we are set to also say goodbye to Brent1 as the Razorbacks are getting hog-tied by UConn right now. (Incidentally - do NOT google the term hog tie in hopes of authoring a pithy blog post.  The search results are a bit shocking.)

Assuming all plays out there will be 36 players alive when I go to bed tonight. Updates in AM if needed. 

Sweet Sixteen: Thursday picks

There are 40 folks eligible to start the weekend.  As of Noon I am missing picks from Pat B2 and Terry T.  Unless they can show proof of a missed submission before the deadline they are out.  That would mean 38 entries still surviving. 

With picks on both sides of the Michigan State/Kansas State and Arkansas/UConn match-ups we are guaranteed to say goodbye to somebody today.  If the Vols choke we will say so long to the largest group with 16 players picking the ugly orange guys. (UConn is a close second with 14 picks.)

Here are today's picks:

Arkansas: Brent1

Kansas State: James 2, Laura, and Brent 2

Michigan State: Marlo and John S1 and Pat B2

Tennessee: Michelle, Chris, Zack2, AJ2, Campbell, Collins, Chad, Ferkel, Brandon, Jon P, Perkins2, John P, Big Bany, Noah, Voth2, and Al

UCLA: Seagraves and Pat M

UConn: Boozer2, Britt2, Eric1, BJ, Garry1, Sue, Mandy, KT, TK, Loughry, Logan, Sarabeth, K2, and Brent 3 and TerryT

FOOTNOTE: Terry and Pat supplied their previous picks.  They are in and added to the lists above. 

Izzo time to go home . . .

. . . for the three folks who bet against Spartans. We are down to 41.  Tommy is helping us wave goodbye to  Mac, Matt2 and Nicholas. See you next year!

Second Round: Sunday picks

There is a clear favorite pick as 24 of us are hoping we are wise owls by picking Florida Atlantic. Another FDU miracle would be the makings of a huge Cinderella story and would cut our numbers by more than 50 percent. 

Here are the picks and Go Cats!

Baylor: Lauren

Florida Atlantic: Pat B2, Boozer 2, Michelle, Eric 1, Chris, Zack 2, KT, TK, Chad, Ferkel, Pat M, Brandon, Logan, Sarabeth, K2, Seagraves, John S1, Noah, Terry T, Voth 2, Al and all three Brents

Gonzaga: James2 and AJ2

Kansas State: Marlo

Miami: Mandy

Marquette: Mac, Matt2 and Nicholas

UConn: Laura and Big Bany

Xavier: Britt, BJ, Gary 1, Sue, Campbell, Collins, Loughry, Jon P, Perkins 2 and John P

Revenge of the Nerds 2

The smart kids strike again. With Princeton's upset of Missouri 27 people go home.  Our pool is down to 44 possible victors with a couple games that could potentially still take out more folks. Stay tuned. 

The only time Rocky Top is sweet music . . . .

 

. . .  is when it's playing Duke out of the tournament.  That said I am also sitting here wondering how in the world Kentucky ever beat Tennessee.  As we ponder that, we also say goodbye to three #2 entries as Britton2, Smith 2 and Clay2 are out of Survivor 2023.

Second Round: Saturday picks

 

Things get real today!  If you lose you are out!!! There are 74 folks still alive as we start the day.  With a few clear favorites for picks any upset will send a decent crew home to lick their wounds. 

Whoever wins will take or split a pot of $916.  The puppies and kitties are getting $248 (thank you to the couple of folks who threw a little extra to the charity pot.)

Let's get this going . . . . updates as I check scores since we can't watch the games in our house because Brent's massive dog is just waiting to attack the TV when we turn the games on. 😂

Duke: Clay2, Britton2 and John S2

Houston: Collins

Kansas: Kendrick

Missouri: Alvey, Ian, Pat B1, Boozer1, Britt1, Amy, James1, Eric2, Terry D, Greg, Brayden, Michael, Matt1, Phil, Will, Kern, Kuntz, Robert, Bret2, Perkins1, Charlie, Lil' Bany, Jon R, K, Nate, Swail and Voth1

Princeton: Brent2 and AJ2

SDSU: James1, Eric1, Mandy, Marlo, Chad, Pat M, Brandon, Perkins2, John P, Seagraves, Noah, Terry T, Voth2, and Brent 1

Texas: James2, Lauren, BJ, Britton2, Gary, Sue, Chris, Mac, Laura, Campbell, Ferkel, Nicholas, Jon P and K2

UCLA; Pat B2, Boozer2, Britt1, Britt2, Michelle, Matt2, Zack2, KT, TK, Loughry, Logan, Sarabeth, Big Bany, John S1, Al and Brent 3

F (pur)DU

 

And for the second time in history a 16 beats a 1 as Fairleigh Dickinson boils the Boilermakers . . . at least two, maybe three folks are headed home. Britton1 and Brett1 both did the double dumb with their seemingly safe Purdue picks. 

Swept away

 

After a Pitt-iful performance, Iowa State has been swept away.  The Cyclones definitely blew AJ out of the running after a second day of losing picks.  Deem 2 announced he was doing the dumb with 10 minutes left in the game.  As we wait to see what Britt 1 does . . . some other close games could diminish our numbers further.

(Footnote: This is not a new question but I'm struck by it again posting this - why in the world is a land-locked university picking The Cyclones as their mascot? Especially when the mascot is actually a cardinal. That identity confusion alone is reason enough not to pick them.)

Round 1: Friday Picks

 As promised this year has been a bit wild so far. We are down to 80 folks.  With 18 double-downs our winner's pot is up to $888 and the puppies are getting $222. 

Picks are spread out with so many folks taking double picks for doing the dumb.  So odds are pretty good we will be sending more folks home as just about any upset - even a small one - will send folks packing.

Let's see who's lucky . . .

Baylor: Ian, Boozer2, Michelle, Matt1, AJ2, KT, Kuntz, Robert, Brett2, and K2

Creighton: Chris

Gonzaga: Pat B2, Greg, Mandy, Collins, Patrick M, Seagraves, and Nate

Indiana: Amy, Clay2, Deem1, BJ, Zack2, Chad, Charlie, John S2, Gary, and Terry T

Iowa State: Britt1, Deem2, and AJ1

Kansas State: Boozer1, Eric1, Britton1, Sue, Braydon, Michael, Matt2, Nicholas, Jon P, Perkins1, John P, and Jon R

Kentucky: Mac, Loughry, Seagraves, Swail, Voth2, and Al

Marquette: James2, Campbell, Kendrick, Ferkel, Lil' Bany, Brent2, and Brent3

Memphis: James1

Miami: Lauren, Terry D, Laura, AJ1, Chad, Brett1, and Noah

Michigan State: Alvey

Purdue: Britton1, Britton2, and Brett1

St. Mary's: James2, Marlo, Perkins2, and Big Bany

TCU: Britt2, Eric2, TK, Perkins1, and Nate

UConn: Michael, Ferkel, Brandon, K1, Voth1, and Brent 2

Xavier: Pat B1, Boozer1, Lauren, Greg, Mac, Phil, Will, KT, Kern, Logan, Sarabeth, Lil' Bany, John S1, and Brent1

Revenge of the nerds day

 

Another liberal arts college draws blood today.  With Princeton's win over Arizona we potentially say goodbye to 4 more folks . . . . Two folks have jumped back in after Virginia's loss as Lil' Bany and Brent 2 do the dumb.

More updates to come . . .

Furman not making new "Pal"adins in this group . . .

 

I know - I stretched for that one!  It's been a LOOOOOOOONG week!

We have one person who had their "doing dumb" money in before the court was clear in that Virginia game.  I suspect Lil' Bany will have some company.  But the Virginia and WVU could take as many as 13 unlucky folks out of our party.

Stay tuned.  We are just getting started!

Round 1: Thursday picks

 

We have 93 entries to kick things off.  That is close to, if not a record for Danvegas!  Welcome to all the newcomers.  That puts the winners pot at $744 and the pups are getting $186.  But, of course, that is before anyone does the dumb and buys back in!  And if anyone else threw a dart to randomly pick a team like me, there will be folks wanting to get back in the action after upsets!

Without further ado here are today's picks.  I've never needed a reason to cheer against the Vols but the fact that it would cause some early Danvegas chaos certainly adds fuel to the fire!

Alabama: AJ2, and Kendrick

Auburn: Britton 2, James 1, and Zack 2

Arkansas: Phil, Campbell, and Voth 2

Arizona: Casey, Brad B, Lauren, and Ferkel, 

Boise State: Clay 1, Britton 1, and Chad

Duke: Terry D, Gary 1, Pat B2, Matt 1, Nicholas, and John P

Houston: Brandon

Indiana: Gary 2

Kansas: Collins

Marquette: James 2

Missouri: Deem 2, Michelle, and John S2

Northwestern: Marlo

San Diego State: Eric 2, Deem 1, TK, Robert, Bret 2, Jon P, Charlie, Big Bany, K1, Voth 1, Blake and Al

Tennessee: Eric 1, BJ, Brayden, Ian, Pat B1, Boozer 2, Britt 1&2, Amy, Matt 2, Will H, Laura, Mandy, Kern, Kuntz, Pat M, Logan, Perkins 1, Sarabeth, Jon R, John S1, Swail, Terry T and Brent 1

Texas: Noah and Brent 3

Texas A&M: Begley 1, Mac, Zack 1, Loughry,  John M, Perkins 2, and Nate

UCLA: Clay 2, Sue, Chris G, and K2

Utah State: AJ 1

Virginia: Greg, Joey, Begley 2, Boozer 1, Michael, Ken, Larry, KT, PK, Brett 1, Will P, Lil' Bany and Brent 2

West Virginia: Seagraves

Danvegas 2023 is here!

Here we go with year #15!  Next year we'll be able to drive.  I will accept any vehicle with a sunroof and heated seats. 

Whether you've been with us all 15 years, or you're a newcomer - please read the rules below!

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.  There are a couple of repeat players on probation this year who will not be allowed to play unless their money is in with their first pick.  I will let you know if this is you when you enter.

Finally, this year's charity will be the Danville-Bo Co Humane Society. 

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 the kiddos 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 16! 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 once again the local puppies and kitties.
• 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 17 or 18) 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 should be submitted electronically if at all possible via PayPal to my email address. If your money is not in by tip of the first Sweet Sixteen game on Saturday, March 23 you will be eliminated!

2022 Submission deadlines:
First Round/Thursday pick: Noon, March 16
First Round/Friday pick: Noon, March 17
Second Round/Saturday pick: Noon, March 18
Second Round/Sunday pick: Noon, March 19
Sweet Sixteen/Thursday pick: Noon, March 23
Sweet Sixteen/Friday pick: Noon, March 24
Elite Eight pick: Noon, March 25
Final Four pick: Noon, April 1
Championship pick: Noon, April 3

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 and I am a staff of one right now 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!