Champion

The Connecticut Huskies in fact did do it. The “it” being winning the National Championship – their fifth in the past 25 years which is the most in men’s basketball during this stretch. UConn controlled the game from the beginning. San Diego State made a late run to close within five but the Huskies stuck their foot on the gas and pulled away to leave no doubt. As the tournament comes to a conclusion, it’s time for the annual tradition – One Shining Moment.

UConn’s win meant a win for Tracey Hall. He finished first in the pool. He along with second-place finisher Alex Wimmers were the only two to correctly predict UConn as champions. Congrats to all that finished in the top 7.

If you paid via PayPal, payment has been sent. If you did not, an email has been sent asking for direction.

Thanks to everyone for participating this year!

The Kansas Jayhawks rallied from a 15-point halftime deficit to defeat North Carolina, ending the Tarheels magical March run, to win the National Championship. 

And with the tournament coming to an end, it’s time for a yearly tradition – One Shining Moment.

It’s now time to wrap up our pool for this year. Congrats to Ryan on placing first! Also congrats to Chris for placing second while submitting only one bracket! Congrats to Lisa, Bill, Aaron and Joe too! Also thanks to everyone for participating. I hope we continue to grow the pool next season.

The Baylor Bears dominated Gonzaga Monday night to claim the school’s first Men’s National Championship. It was an impressive performance by Baylor. The Bears got out to an immediate 10-point lead and never flinched. Their suffocating defense and precise offense made the previously undefeated Bulldogs look out of sync all night. 

Congrats to the Bears and head coach Drew Scott. He took the job in 2003 after the previous head coach was fired amid a tragic scandal.

Also as a fan of Fixer Upper, it was nice to see Chip and Joanna Gaines, both Baylor alumni, celebrating their school’s win. Baylor is located in Waco, Texas which is also the home to the Gaines and their Magnolia empire.

National champs!!!!!! ⁦⁦@FinalFour⁩ ⁦@BaylorMBB⁩ ⁦@BUDREW⁩ #sicEm pic.twitter.com/6LcaH3uGZ6

— Chip Gaines (@chipgaines) April 6, 2021

Congrats also goes out to Scott Fiasco on winning the HoopsHysteria 2021 tournament pool. Scott correctly selected Baylor to win it all.

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.

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.

Led by Donte DiVincenzo’s 31 the Villanova Wildcats claimed their second National Championship in three seasons by defeating the Mchigan Wolverines 79-62 in impressive fashion. Villanova is the fourth team in tourney history to win all of their games by double digits. Congrats to the Wildcats!

As for the Hoopshysteria.net pool, congrats to these winners! Joe finishes third through tie-breaker. Joe had 143 total points while Allison had 148. The total was 141 points. Both very close but Joe was closer.

I would like to thank everyone for participating this year. We increased by 13 entries over the past two years. My goal next year is 150 submitted brackets.

As this tournament and pool wraps up, it’s time for this year’s One Shining Moment.

The North Carolina Tarheels outlasted the Gonzaga Bulldogs, 71-65, to capture the National Championship and complete their redemption of last year’s stunning defeat to Villanova. North Carolina was our most popular choice to win it all this year with 26 brackets. This victory marks Roy Williams’ third National Championship.

The Tarheels victory made these five folks a bit happier. The tie-breaker was used to determine 2nd/3rd place and to break a 3-way tie for 5th place. Congrats to Theresa, Linda, Mike, Scott and Joe!

Please contact me at [email protected] on how you want your winnings paid – PayPal or Check. Please note that PayPal will be the quickest option.

Lastly I would like to apologize for the lack of an update prior to the National Championship game where I normally provide the scenarios for that game. However sometimes life gets in the way and this was one of those times.

Thanks to everyone for another fun tournament.

An epic National Championship game deserved an ending like this one.

First let’s take a step back to set up that amazing ending. Ladies and gentlemen I present Marcus Paige …

Paige’s gravity-defying double-pump three tied the game with five seconds. Then it came down to one more play. THE play.

Villanova’s Kris Jenkins three as time expired catapulted him into tournament legend status and crowned the Villanova Wildcats as champions.

Thanks to everyone for making this such a fun thing to do each March. Without further ado here’s the final standings.

Congrats to all.

The Duke Blue Devils held off the Wisconsin Badgers to earn Coach K his fifth National Championship. Duke’s victory also means that John Fiasco is the 2015 HoopsHysteria.net champion. John correctly predicted all four Final 4 teams, both National Championship teams and the National Champion en route to his comfortable victory. John also finished third. It’s the second year in a row that a person has placed multiple winning brackets. Congrats John!

And congrats to the others that won including Jeff Warren, Deanna Manning and Tim Dougherty who was our winner last year.

The winners will receive an email with instructions on claiming their winnings.

Thanks to everyone for another fun tournament season. See you next year.