You know, I could sit here and just try to figure out a bracket and post it here on the blog. I could do like last year and submit an NIT bracket. I could do like two years before and just gripe about the unfairness of the NCAA basketball system.
But this time, I have a better idea.
I have created, yes indeedy, a 16-team bracket that will parallel one of the four regional sections of the NCAA bracket. My 16-team bracket will match the current NCAA Midwest Division, so that whoever is designated #1 in my bracket will match up with the #1 team in the NCAA Midwest Division of the Men’s Div I basketball tournament.
And instead of basketball teams…
I’m putting in my 16 most popular blog commenters in the brackets.
That’s right. Instead of Duke and North Carolina and Syracuse and Albany, I’m putting in D357 and Pat and Jango Davis and HokieMom.
Now the only way that a blog commenter can advance to the next bracket is if the same team in the NCAA bracket advances as well. And you don’t have to worry about the play-in games, we’re starting the competition with Thursday’s games. There’s no campaigning, no vote-begging, this isn’t a situation where you’re playing for your likeness on a bobblehead or if your dog could win the Friday Puppy poll. I will allow some trash-talking, some boasting, some bulletin-board material… just keep it clean, ‘kay?
And if you’re name’s not on the sheet below… fret not. I only had room for 16 names. I appreciate all of you blog readers and I want you to keep commenting and adding your opinions and your thoughts every single day.
The “winner” will be crowned as the 2013 blog champion of this little corner of the TU blog farm. Heck, I might even e-mail you a little PDF-printable certificate, suitable for framing – seeing as I’m getting better at this Adobe InDesign stuff…
Ready? It’s selection time… here’s the brackets. And remember, this is based on the Midwest bracket of the NCAA tournament, so you should root for the team you’re linked to.
| (1) D357 (Louisville) (16) Doodle (NC A&T / Liberty) |
(winner) | (winner) | ||
| (8) Chad 9978 (CSU) (9) HokieMom (Missouri) |
(winner) | (winner) | ||
| (5) Roz (Oklahoma State) (12) Bill W (Oregon) |
(winner) | (winner) | ||
| (4) Potrzebie (Saint Louis) (13) LB (New Mexico State) |
(winner) | |||
| (WINNER!!) | ||||
| (6) Erin’s Dad (Memphis) (11) LwoodBluz (Mid Tenn St / Mt St. Mary’s) |
(winner) | (winner) | ||
| (3) Jango Davis (Michigan State) (14) Grey Cat (Valpo) |
(winner) | (winner) | ||
| (7) J Mac (Creighton) (10) Lazygal (Cincinnati) |
(winner) | (winner) | ||
| (2) Pat (Duke) (15) Woo Hoo Supreme (Albany) |
(winner) |
Okay? Ready? All warmed up?
Good. It’s time to cue that “One Shining Moment” music track…
Toss the ball up…
And here we go!!
Chuck The Writer 
LOL This is going to be fun !!!
LikeLike
oh, it’s on…let the games begin!!!
LikeLike
Finally….
A reason for me to watch Basketball…
LikeLike
Memphis has about the same chance of going all the way as the Friday Puppy, but I like the food in that town, so “GO TIGERS!!!”
LikeLike
Missouri? Really? Gotta go read up a bit – bring it on Chad 9978 and CSU – See you on the court/field/ice on Thursday
LikeLike
Brilliant idea—how about an 8 x 10 picture of choice for the winner?? I was going to suggest a Dream Window, but figured you’d laugh me out of the contest! 🙂
LikeLike
Well…at least there’s no Dreaded Cut Line. But no matter how this turns out I am the #1 Blog Commenting Champion of All Time! NO ONE DISPUTES THIS!
#Chuck is happy and has too much free time
LikeLike
What does the winner win aside from bragging rights?
LikeLike
You get a frameable certificate of championship. You can hang it on the wall or use it to wrap fish, your choice.
LikeLike
Okay, I guess I’ll have to pay attention now. At least for one day. Oregon is one of my favorite states, though.
LikeLike
D357: if you mean, obnoxious, annoying comments..you ARE indeed world champion ;{)}
LikeLike
looking for the “like” button for gray cat’s comment 🙂
LikeLike
I got Michigan! Of course, if Michigan really represents me, they’ll have to show up late to the games and criticize everyone.
LikeLike
Chuck, so in a nutshell, this is your own personal version of The Hunger Games? Each opponent battles in a head-to-head combat for their survival in the contest?
Me LIKE!
I have to say, even though I am a lowly little 16-seed I’m always puttin’ forth my best championship-worthy effort! Though since I AM a UA grad, it woulda been cool to be a 15 seed. But alas, no regrets.
To the victor go the spoils!
The theme from “Rocky” has been in my head since I started writing this response!
LikeLike
Oh, shoot. My previous comment was supposed to also include:
To all: May the odds be e-ver in your favor…
P.S.: I’m honored to be included in the contest!
LikeLike
Damn Straight you give me Albany. 😀 Well played sir.
LikeLike
Really? Cincinatti? You couldn’t have done the East and given me Syracuse (GO ORANGE!!)?
Sigh. At least I know people in Ohio…
LikeLike
Lazygal, if it worked that way, we’d be fighting it out over the right to be Syracuse.
LikeLike
LB – I thought you and Lazygal would want to fight over who would be Hamilton. But that choice has already been determined. I’m claiming Hamilton. 🙂
LikeLike
Lazygal, say your prayers now.
LikeLike
I know nothing about college basketball. Does my team stand a chance?
LikeLike
Go Tigers! The NCAA Championship run has started!
LikeLike
I’m out
LikeLike