HoopsHysteria > 2019 > April

Monthly Archive: April 2019

Redemption

It’s a story as old as time. Overcoming spectacular failure to achieve your ultimate success. I believe I’ve seen a movie about this very notion.

(Anytime I can reference Dumb and Dumber, I will.)

The University of Virginia now has their redemption story. After becoming the first #1 seed to lose to a #16 seed in the biggest upset of tournament history last season, the Cavaliers finished their story by winning an exciting overtime classic over Texas Tech. The final three minutes was a montage of play making by both teams.

Red Raiders head coach Chris Beard displayed class and a lot of emotion in the loss.

I really enjoyed this year’s tournament. While the “Madness” wasn’t quite what was seen in previous years, the quality of the games from the Sweet 16 to the National Championship was very compelling and entertaining to watch.

As for our pool with Virginia’s OT win, here the final payout.

RankNamePointsChampionWinnings
1Matt Lapensee #3141Virginia$310
2T.H., Tom Kakaris136Virginia$150
3Aaron Thompson #3133Virginia$100
4Chip Lindon #1132Virginia$75
5Scott Fiasco #2 (150) 131Virginia$50
6Chris Matthews (133) 131Virginia$25

Scott Fiasco wins the tie-breaker between 5th and 6th place as his 150 total was closer to the game total of 162.

Thanks to everyone for participating and I look forward to next year.

Defense Dominates

There is a saying in sports that “offense sells tickets but defense wins championships.” This year’s tournament would be a prime example. Two of the top three ranked defenses will square off Monday night to crown a new National Champion as neither school has previously won it.

Texas Tech won led by their trademark stingy defense to a rather easy 61-51 victory over Michigan State.

Virginia rallied to a 62-61 win over Auburn that will forever be remembered by the ending.

After last year’s historic loss, Virginia has the opportunity tonight for the ultimate redemption story. I will always remember the perspective of Virginia head coach Tony Bennett after the loss.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSG8YYOoZlQ

Class act.

There are spots on the line tonight in regards to the pool. Tie-breaker will determine the official order. The closest to tonight’s total wins.

Virginia wins …

RankNamePointsChampionWinnings
1Matt Lapensee #3141Virginia$310
2T.H., Tom Kakaris136Virginia $150
3Aaron Thompson #3133Virginia $100
4Chip Lindon #1132Virginia$75
5/6Chris Matthews (133)131Virginia $50
5/6Scott Fiasco #2 (150)131Virginia$25

Texas Tech wins …

RankNamePointsChampionWinnings
1Matt Lapensee #3109Virginia $310
2T.H., Tom Kakaris 104Virginia $150
3/4Tim Weber #4103Duke$100
3/4Aaron Thompson #3101Virginia $75
5Chip Lindon #1100Virginia $50
6Chris Matthews (133)
Scott Fiasco #2 (150)		99Virginia$25

Good luck to all that have a chance to bring home some money tonight.

Blue Bloods Out

Favorites and true “blue-bloods” Kentucky and Duke were both upset in their bids to advance to the Final 4.

Auburn needed OT to knock off SEC rival Kentucky to secure the school’s first trip. It was a remarkable performance for a team that lost their best player, Chuma Okeke, Friday to a brutal knee injury. The Tigers were able to harness the emotion and use as motivation.

Meanwhile Michigan State was able to close out Duke 68-67. It marked the third straight game for the Blue Devils that came down to the last possession. However this time it did not go their way.

So the Final 4 is set and it consists of two schools making their first trips (Texas Tech & Auburn), one school making their first trip in 35 years and Michigan State – an upper echelon program.

As for the pool, someone named Matt Lapensee stands atop the standings going into the Final 4.

I selected three of the four teams (missed Auburn) to jump to the lead. Because no one selected Auburn or Texas Tech to win the National Championship, the number of brackets that can win it all is down to two – Edward Lapensee (my uncle) and myself.

Best Results

If Michigan State wins it all, Ed wins. If any other teams wins, I win. However the other payout spots will come into better focus after Saturday’s games.

Good luck to everyone.