TheBracketChallenge: Something to distract us from the pain

by Andrew Porter on Mar 15, 2010 5:13 PM EDT

Welcome to TheUConnBlog's first annual NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge and (hopefully) last annual NIT Challenge.

As far as the NCAA pool goes, we're using standard operating procedure. The challenge is hosted over at Yahoo, and you can find it here. Our name is TheUConnBlog and the password is "calbertus." Also, despite UConn's dismal failure, we'll be hosting OpenThreads for the NCAA's, so feel free to stop by and chime in.

Now, on to the real matter at hand, the National Invitational Tournament. Wooo. Near as I can tell, no website runs an interactive bracket challenge, nor even makes an interactive bracket available, so we're going to have to do this old-school. You can post your picks in the comments (just go through the games in order, or post a screenshot of a bracket) and I'll keep track by hand and provide regular updates. If you need it, the bracket is here. All brackets for the NIT contest are due by 7 est. Tuesday. Finally, I'm never sure how to score one of these things, I figure for points we can either go 1-2-3-4-5 or 1-2-4-8-16. Vote in the comments and I'll go with whatever is most popular.

Despite our corporate sellout, we're still broke, so there are no elaborate prizes for winners, but I'll see if we can throw something together (guest post, signed copy of Hoop Tales, something along those lines).

Goodluck to all.

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Comments

that password doesn't work

Also, I’ll just pimp my random bracket generator using KenPom stats once: http://billmill.org/static/ncaa-bracket-randomizer/out.html . It helps me fill out lots of brackets easily.

by llimllib on Mar 15, 2010 5:17 PM EDT reply actions

Sorry about that

try it lowercase. calbertus

by Andrew Porter on Mar 15, 2010 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions

doh /slaps forehead

should have tried that.

by llimllib on Mar 15, 2010 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions

I can't decide

if I should pick UConn to flame out against Northeastern or win it all. There is no in between.

by Andrew Porter on Mar 15, 2010 5:30 PM EDT reply actions

My NIT picks (feel free to use this template)

The FEAR THE SEAWOLVES Region

Illinois over Stony Brook
Tulsa over Kent State
Illinois State over Dayton
Cincinnati over Weber State

Illinois over Tulsa
Illinois State over Cincinnati

Illinois over Illinois State

The “Will The New York Post Cover This Region?” Region

Arizona State over Jacksonville
Seton Hall over Texas Tech
Memphis over St. John’s
Mississippi over Troy

Seton Hall over Arizona State
Mississippi over Memphis

Seton Hall over Mississippi

Wishful Thinking Region

Virginia Tech over Quinnipiac
UConn over Northeastern
Nevada over Wichita State
Northwestern over Rhode Island

UConn over Virginia Tech
Nevada over Northwestern

UConn over Nevada

The “Womp Womp” Region

Mississippi State over Jackson State
William & Mary over North Carolina
South Florida over NC State
UAB over Coastal Carolina

William & Mary over Mississippi State
UAB over South Florida

UAB over William & Mary

Final Four

Illinois over Seton Hall
UConn over UAB

Third Place (they do have this in the NIT…I feel like it should be a tiebreaker)

Seton Hall over UAB

Championship

Illinois over UConn (solely so that I can clear my conscience of homerism).

This will be the worst bracket out of however many are submitted, guaranteed. Especially when Northeastern runs us out of Gampel tomorrow night.

Orange Bowl/dual Final Fours or bust in 2011. We're going all-in.

by Kevin Meacham on Mar 15, 2010 5:44 PM EDT reply actions

I am ashamed to proudly present

The NIT bracket randomizer! http://billmill.org/static/ncaa-bracket-randomizer/nit.html

BOOM.

by llimllib on Mar 15, 2010 6:08 PM EDT reply actions

and, as such, my picks:

Illinois over Stony Brook
Kent over Tulsa
Dayton over Ill. St
Cincinnati over Weber State

Illinois over Kent
Dayton over Cinci

Dayton over Illinois

The "Will The New York Post Cover This Region?" Region

Arizona State over Jacksonville
Seton Hall over Texas Tech
Memphis over St. John’s
Mississippi over Troy

Az. St over Seton Hall
Mississippi over Memphis

Az. St over Mississippi

Wishful Thinking Region

Virginia Tech over Quinnipiac
UConn over Northeastern
Wichita over Nevada
Northwestern over Rhode Island

Va Tech over UConn
Wichita over Northwestern

Va Tech over Wichita

The "Womp Womp" Region

Mississippi State over Jackson State
NC over W&M
South Florida over NC State
UAB over Coastal Carolina

NC over Mississippi State
UAB over South Florida

UAB over NC

Final Four

Az St. over Dayton
Va Tech over UAB

Third Place (they do have this in the NIT…I feel like it should be a tiebreaker)

Dayton over UAB

Championship

Va Tech over Az. St

by llimllib on Mar 15, 2010 6:15 PM EDT up reply actions

it only took 25 clicks, and moving the slider to "LOTS"

for connecticut to win the championship! i like our chances…HAH

"...Don't talk black to me. How do you even talk black? End words with izzle..." Modern Family

by kemba walker is my hero... on Mar 15, 2010 6:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Big East Tourney, Part Deux

I definitely manipulated my picks to have that Final Four. I mean, if its in the Garden, why not? The Big East tourney is more exciting than the NIT anyway.

Bible Belt Chapter
First Round
Illinois over Stony Brook
Tulsa over Kent St.
Dayton over Illinois St.
Cincinnati over Weber St.

Second Round
Tulsa over Illinois
Cincinnati over Dayton

Quarters
Cincinnati over Tulsa

If the Post doesn’t cover it, the Daily News will Region
First Round
Arizona St over Jacksonville
Seton Hall over Texas Tech
Memphis over St. John’s
Ole Miss over Troy

Second Round
Seton Hall over Arizona St.
Memphis over Ole Miss

Quarters
Seton Hall over Memphis

The Hartford Courant Special Region
First Round
Quinnipiac over Virginia Tech
UConn over Northeastern
Wichita St. over Nevada
URI over Northwestern

Second Round
UConn over Quinnipiac
URI over Wichita St.

Quarters
UConn over URI

The, "I said SWEET TEA!," Region
First Round
Jackson St. over Miss St.
UNC over William and Mary
South Florida over NC State
UAB over Coastal Carolina

Second Round
UNC over Jackson St.
USF over UAB

Quarters
USF over UNC

Final Four (Cincinnati, Seton Hall, UConn, USF)
Cincinnati over Seton Hall
UConn over USF (REVENGE GAME!!!)

Championship
UConn over Cincinnati (REVENGE GAME NUMBER TWO!!!)

VENGEANCE IS OURS!!!

by The Columnist on Mar 15, 2010 6:47 PM EDT reply actions

What, did you pick this bracket out of a hat?

Orange Bowl/dual Final Fours or bust in 2011. We're going all-in.

by Kevin Meacham on Mar 15, 2010 6:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Nah

I only do that for the tournaments that matter.

Btw, my hat bracket was the best I’ve ever gotten, save the Final Four.

by The Columnist on Mar 15, 2010 7:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Porty

Did you put a max group limit of only 8 people on the Yahoo! Bracket thing?

I wish I was tall and black

by hawtin on Mar 15, 2010 7:38 PM EDT reply actions

Not as far as I can tell

and if I did, I can’t find a way to turn it off. Is someone having trouble joining?

by Andrew Porter on Mar 15, 2010 7:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Homerism it is

The I’M RATHER HIGH ON DAYTON Region

Illinois over Stony Brook
Tulsa over Kent State
Dayton over Illinois State
Cincinnati over Weber State

Illinois over Tulsa
Dayton over Cincinnati

Dayton over Illinois

The I HAVE A THING FOR 3 SEEDS Region

Arizona State over Jacksonville
Seton Hall over Texas Tech
Memphis over St. John’s
Mississippi over Troy

Arizona State over Seton Hall
Memphis over Mississippi

Memphis over Arizona St.

Wishful Thinking Region

Virginia Tech over Quinnipiac
UConn over Northeastern
Wichita St. over Nevada
Rhode Island over Northwestern

UConn over Virginia Tech
Wichita St. over Rhode Island

UConn over Wichita St.

The I CAN’T BELIEVE I’M DOING AN NIT BRACKET Region

Mississippi State over Jackson State
UNC over W&M
NC State over USF
UAB over Coastal Carolina

Mississippi State over UNC
NC State over UAB

Mississippi State over NC State

Final Four

Memphis over Dayton
UConn over Mississippi State

Third Place (they do have this in the NIT…I feel like it should be a tiebreaker)

Dayton over Mississippi State

Championship

UConn over Memphis (Note: Will not happen)

by Andrew Porter on Mar 16, 2010 11:38 AM EDT reply actions

BillMill

The bracket randomizer was a huge help by the way. Awesome job.

by Andrew Porter on Mar 16, 2010 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions

Hoya Suxa's Super Accurate Bracket

You’re all playing for second place.

Here’s the link for a bigger representation.

by Hoya Suxa on Mar 16, 2010 12:21 PM EDT reply actions

Man, it's a good thing two teams with the same seed didn't make the semifinals

Also, it’s weird, because in 2007 and 2008, I also picked Not Syracuse to win the NIT. I was right!

Orange Bowl/dual Final Fours or bust in 2011. We're going all-in.

by Kevin Meacham on Mar 16, 2010 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Hat tip

Amazing work

by Andrew Porter on Mar 16, 2010 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions

No way

The Lovely Couple goes down in the Elite Eight. They’re too adorable … and Mary’s too prude.

by UConnBlog Justin on Mar 16, 2010 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Where's your bracket, Shuttlesworth?

I demand that the three writers of the blog have a Bracket-Off, with the winner claiming glory until we forget about it in a month.

Orange Bowl/dual Final Fours or bust in 2011. We're going all-in.

by Kevin Meacham on Mar 16, 2010 6:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Just put me down for

all of Glaude’s picks.

Actually, I’m a sucker for peer pressure. I’ll do one now.

by UConnBlog Justin on Mar 16, 2010 6:07 PM EDT up reply actions

The Reverse Jinx Bracket

First Round

Illinois over Stony Brook
Tulsa over Kent State
Dayton over Illinois State
Cincinnati over Weber State

Arizona State over Jacksonville
Texas Tech over Seton Hall
Memphis over St. John’s
Ole Miss over Troy

Virginia Tech over Quinnipiac
UConn over Northeastern
Nevada over Wichita State
Northwestern over Rhode Island

Mississippi State over Jackson State
North Carolina over William & Mary
NC State over South Florida
UAB over Coastal Carolina

Second Round

Illinois over Tulsa
Cincinnati over Dayton

Arizona State over Texas Tech
Memphis over Ole Miss

UConn over Virginia Tech
Nevada over Northwestern

Mississippi State over North Carolina
UAB over NC State

Quarterfinals

Illinois over Cincinnati
Memphis over Arizona State
UConn over Nevada
Mississippi State over UAB

Semifinals

Illinois over Memphis
Mississippi State over UConn

Final

Mississippi State over Illinois

A bullhorn, a bottle of whiskey and a dream. GobblerCountry.com

by furrer4heisman on Mar 16, 2010 3:05 PM EDT reply actions

i cant believe we're doing this; Not only is this sad, but what established program REALLY wants to win the NIT...

First Round
Illinois over Stony Brook
Tulsa over Kent St.
Dayton over Illinois St.
Cincinnati over Weber St.
Second Round
Illinois over Tulsa
Cincinnati over Dayton
Quarters
Cincinnati over Illinois

First Round
Arizona St over Jacksonville
Seton Hall over Texas Tech
Memphis over St. John’s
Ole Miss over Troy
Second Round
Seton Hall over Arizona St.
Memphis over Ole Miss
Quarters
Memphis over Seton Hall

First Round
Virginia Tech over Quinnipiac
UConn over Northeastern
Wichita St. over Nevada
URI over Northwestern
Second Round
UConn over Virginia Tech
Wichita St. over URI
Quarters
UConn over Wichita St.

First Round
Miss St. over Jackson St.
UNC over William and Mary
South Florida over NC State
UAB over Coastal Carolina
Second Round
Miss. St. over UNC
USF over UAB
Quarters
USF over Miss St.

Final Four
Cincinnati over Memphis
UConn over USF
Championship
UConn over Cincinnati

"...Don't talk black to me. How do you even talk black? End words with izzle..." Modern Family

by kemba walker is my hero... on Mar 16, 2010 4:29 PM EDT reply actions

I submit the "If I had more time, I'd pick out of a hat and probably do better" entry

TOP LEFT
First round
—Illinois over Stony Brook
—Tulsa over Kent State (so Scottie doesn’t give me the stunner)
—Dayton over Illinois State
—Cincy over Bruce Weber State

Second round
—Illinois over Tulsa
—Cincy over Dayton

Third round
—Cincy over Illinois

TOP RIGHT
First round
—VT over Quinnipiac
—Cal’s Mighty Huskies over lesser Huskies in a dawg fight
—Blair Wichita State over Nevada
—URI over Northwestern

Second round
—Tech over UConn
—URI over WS

Third round
—URI over Tech

BOTTOM LEFT
First round
—Arizona State over Jacksonville Jaguars
—Seton Hall over Lesser Tech
—St.John’s over Memphis
—Ole Miss over Troy State

Second round
—Seton Hall over ASU
—St. John’s over Ole Mis

Third round
—Seton Hall over St. John’s

BOTTOM RIGHT or the I’M BORED AT THIS POINT REGION
First round
—Miss. State over Samuel L. Jackson State
—UNC over W&M
—USF over NC State
—UAB over School I’ve Never Heard Of

Second round
—Hicks from Miss. over lesser hicks from UNC
—USF over UAB in the all-time dragon matchup

Third round
—Miss. State over USF

FINAL FOUR
—Miss. State over URI
—Cincy over Seton Hall

CHAMPIONSHIP
—Cincy over Miss. State

by UConnBlog Justin on Mar 16, 2010 6:19 PM EDT reply actions