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.