Well, it’s time to set the “Days Without a #1 Seed Getting Eliminated” meter back to “0” as the West Region’s top seed, Kansas, was knocked off by #8 Arkansas 72-71 yesterday. The Jayhawk’s loss comes 1 day after #1 Purdue’s stunning loss to FDU the night before. On the upside, with no #1 seeds in action today, the “Days Without” meter gets a chance to crank back up until play resumes next week.
Arkansas’ win of course resulted in head coach Eric Musselman literally losing his shirt, as he’s been prone to do following big wins for the Razorbacks.
Have you considered switching to decaf, Coach?
In other news, the magical season continues for the #15 Princeton Tigers, as they punched their ticket to the Sweet 16 for the first time in 56 years following their 78-63 dismantling of the #8 Missouri Tigers. Princeton overwhelmed Mizzou, jumping all over them right out of the box as you can see from this clip from CBS:.
Block or charge?
Joining Princeton in the Sweet 16 will be #4 Tennessee who took down everybody’s favorite school, #5 Duke, in a 65-52 thumping yesterday. Longtime participants are well aware of my disdain for the Duke program, but without Coach K there anymore, I don’t know, it’s just not as satisfying when they lose. Or maybe I’m just getting soft in my old age? Whatever, a bad day for Duke is still a good day for America, I guess. And for all of you North Carolina fans out there, I still have a few of these shirts available in the G.A.M.M. online store. Enter promo code COMMISH for free shipping!
Taking a look at the standings, we find the Pride of Peoria herself, Mindy Wall, in sole possession of 1st place. Probably not for long though given her ill-fated Arizona pick.
Taking a peak at the OTHER end of the standings, we find a familiar name lurking dangerously close to the bottom:
I think the Assistant Commish is probably safe though. Maybe next time take off the tinfoil hat when making your picks though?
Also safe from last place (I think) is it’s current occupant, Elizabeth Santoro, as well as her cellar dwelling neighbor, Stephanie Stephens. My money is definitely on Chris Benvie and his questionable NKU Norse pick to be the odds on fave for the last place refund. Chris, help a brother out here … I’m guessing you’re alumni or something? And I’d be remiss if I also didn’t point out 2019 champ, Malory Rooks (Smith), as her Drake selection also has her in contention for a refund, I would think.
Who am I to judge though, as The Commish is currently mired in 405th place.
Me, when the tournament starts:
Me by day #4:
Thanks to all who have submitted their entry fees already. Reminder: the deadline for submission is March 28th. We still have 62 outstanding entry fees. DO NOTE BE LATE! Anyone who misses the deadline gets publicly shamed!
Here’s a link to my Venmo account once again, so no excuses:
https://account.venmo.com/u/Greg-Dennehy
Also, when sending me your payment, please do NOT click the “Turn on for purchases” button as this results in Venmo taking a percentage and causes me to have to embarrassingly hit you up for the $0.30 or so that your payment was short:
And speaking of Venmo, I have to admire Prev’s hustle here. Nice try, Prev, but you gotta get up PRETTY EARLY in the morning to get The Commish to fall for that one!
And thanks to the following folks who generously included a little somethin’ for The Commish’s Beer Fund with their payments:
- Adam Billiter
- Kathleen Cole
- Mary-Jo Murphy
Much appreciated!
Okay, that’s it for today, guys.
Commish out!