Final Four Report: Elders Rule, Clinch 2024 Calcutta

Old guys rule

TORONTO -- It's official, the 2024 Calcutta title was clinched with will have the Elder name will be engraved on the William A. Karin Memorial Chalise for the first time since 2019 and will hold the sole title for the first time since 2005.

They needed help as 11-NC State kept their run alive and took out the Elders' Duke and kept the Chieftans record 16 wins in tact. 

It was quite the run by the Elders winning seven first round games, three second rounders and three in the regionals. They can take the cherry on top of the win if Alabama runs the table in the Final Four.

Great work, Statesmen!

Amigos continue to survive and advance

The Amigos are steadfast on staying alive and if you told me a lone 11-seed would clinch them a second-place tie after the Elite Eight, it would be hard to believe. Longest shot on the board on opening day, the Amigos have had the pedal to the metal throughout the Calcutta and can clinch second alone with another upset over the Commish's Boilers.

I miss Gene Keady's comb-over

Pour one out for the Commish & Associate, who is tied for third and with Final Four sweep can tie for second. Not looking past the Wolfpack who are VERY dangerous, but a UConn-Purdue final would make for interesting drama lower on the leaderboard scrapping for dollars and a pretty good game to watch.

Hello Alabama? I'm coming for ya....

The Slayers played spoiler taking out the Commish's hopes at title glory eliminating the Illini on Saturday with a 30-0 (!!) run, something we haven't seen in a tourney before. UConn looks like the prohibitive favorite and they'll look to a piece of third with a sweep in the Final Four. 

You're in contempt!!!

Down to Joey Girard and 6-Clemson, the Counselors bowed out of the 24 Calcutta with eight wins. They need Purdue and UConn to flame out to keep a slice of third.....

Here are the various "hypothetical" payout scenarios.....

UConn over Purdue:

Elders $1,000

Amigos $500

Slayers $350

Commish $150

UConn over NC State:

Elders $1,000

Amigos $500

Slayers $500

Purdue over UConn:

Elders $1,000

Commish $600

Amigos $400

Purdue over Alabama:

Elders $1,000

Commish $600

Amigos $400

Alabama over Purdue:

Elders $1,200

Amigos $500

Commish $300

Alabama over NC State:

Elders $1,200

Amigos $500

Commish $150

Counselors $150

NC State over UConn:

Elders $1,000

Amigos $700

Commish $100

Counselors $100

Slayers $100

NC State over Alabama:

Elders $1,000

Amigos $700

Commish $150

Counselors $150

Thanks for playing once again....five teams have chances at cashing a ticket....

Commish......out.

Elite Eight Report: Elders still atop Calcutta, Amigos threatening

Who's laughing now says the Elders

AMHERST -- The Elders are trying to take this thing gate-to-wire and a strong Sweet Sixteen showing leading up to the weekend has them three points ahead of their nearest competitor. But the Calcutta's swift sword can swing down at any moment and at a drop of the hat they could be teamless and a lead cut down to one or two wins.

But you have to give the old codgers some credit, riding their mid-level seeds to the Elite Eight, eliminating two top seeds in the last round in 1-Houston and 1-North Carolina. That's some major upset work, folks.

Later, skaters

The only good-byes related to the Amigos are the ones they've been dishing out and the Sweet Sixteen was no different. Another big upset by the Wolfpack, who have been on a major heater since the ACC Tourney, had them shutting down the Catholic Boyz in successive games.  After 2-Marquette went down, later in the evening the Amigos sent a final Adios to the Boyz by eliminating 2-Creighton and sending the altar boys packing. The Amigos have a big matchup with the Elders (Duke-NC State) in the South Regional Final that could determine the fate of this Calcutta. 

Barristers getting the trembles

The Counselors were looking sweet early on Thursday when 6-Clemson pulled off the upset over Arizona with North Carolina sitting on deck, but the Tar Heels and Hubert Davis bottled their game against the Tide and the law guys high tide was rolled. They'll need to hope for Nick Saban takes over for Nate Oates in the duel of football powers later tonight. What once looked like a promising road to overtaking the Elders, has turned into a longshot attempt to hit the board.

Kelly, get me the batphone

Lurking in fourth behind the top three at seven wins is the Commish and Associate. He's hit the bat signal in attempts to channel the final pair of 3-Illinois and 1-Purdue into the Final Four. They can only tie for a piece and will need an Elder Elite Eight (EEE!!) meltdown to keep hopes alive. Can take care of business with a Boilermaker triumph over the Vols and eliminate the Slayers with an Illini fighting win over the Huskies. Lots at stake over the weekend.

Slayers have nothing to lose

The Slayers are down to one, but that one is a stone cold assassin, the top seed in the tourney, UConn. They need some help to possibly grab a tie for second or third, but the championship winner dollars are still in play. They'll be playing spoiler and with abandon from this point onward. 

Amaaaziiing Grace.....

It was a beautiful service for the Catholic Boyz. The music was calming and the eulogy delivered by the Amigos had the place in tears. 

Win-Doc draft strategy in pictures

The Win-Docs were able to hit the golf course early this year with last week's exit. Showing off some of their draft strategy above.

Good luck - Final Four is next.

Elders increase lead through Round Two

Elders strut to lead in 24 Calcutta

AMHERST -- The Elders, buoyed by their record-tying seven first round wins, have opened up a 3-win margin over a trio of challengers in the 2024 edition of the Buffalo Calcutta.

Utilizing the early-bird strategy of mid-round selections to perfection, the seniors dined and dashed through the first two rounds like Fred Astaire in Shall We Dance in 1937 (only the Elders will remember this flick).

With two 4-seeds and a five paving the way, the waters get deeper in the Sweet Sixteen as all three squads will face a top seed in the Molly Ringwald round.

Amigos in striking distance

The Amigos sit tied in second with the Counselors and Chieftans, three back of the old guys but with two 3-seeeds (Iowa State and Tennessee) and an 11 in NC State hoping their championship hopes are alive. They'll go into the Sweet Sixteen favored in two of the three matchups to try and make up some ground on the Elders. Draft strategy aside, no one thought the boys South of the Border (tough Dos a Cero loss last night) would be contending at this spot. Good work so far.

Counselors object to thoughts of their demise

The barristers had a steady weekend feast of ACC magic as they kept themselves closer to the leaders with the 6-Clemson upset of 3-Baylor, but the Grizzlies run was ended by the Amigos to square things off for the second-place tie. They still have some firepower with top seed UNC and the Tigers look like they're on a heater, so watch out for a late motion by the Counselors in the Sixteen.

"That's what's up" ~Brad Hall, Head Chef (not a typo)

The Bunch of Chieftans always make the Calcutta just a little more interesting. Top dog 1-Houston survived an upset bid by the Commish & Associate's Aggies and can put a nail in their coffin with a Gonzaga win over Purdue in the Sweet Sixteen. They go head-to-head with the Elders in the other matchuup which is HUGE. It's not exactly Notre Dame-Miami in football, but Houston-Duke has a bit of an edge to it and the Chiefs have the marker on this one. The race could tighten up quickly and the natives are ready for the task.

Team Commish hangin' round

Team Commish is hanging around in a fifth-place tie with the Slayers with Final Four hopes for their remaining squads. Max wins are 12 with a title matchup (odds 1 billion to 1) between opposite-bracketed Purdue and Illinois (how's that for draft strategy). A damaging loss by a game A&M squad who couldn't propel the regulation buzzer beater into an OT win....will likely end up being a costly loss. Purdue looking good, but it only gets tougher here on out.

There is no gambling at Bushwood, sir

The defending champs are wondering what it takes to get a mention in the morning blog and are using the "disrespect" card with some locker room bulletin board material after Saturday's omission. The Slayers, too, will ride two horses into the Sweet Sixteen albeit on the same side of the ledger, so max wins top out at 11.

They have the lowest ASR remaining with a 1-UConn and 2-Arizona and can start clearing the way with wins over the Elders and Counselors in their Sweet Sixteen matchups. They needed a Grand Canyon upset to boost their hopes, but they can still catch a piece and possibly win it all with some luck.

Can Bon Jovi save the Boyz?

They're not exactly half way there, as the Boyz can only max out with 10 wins with another same-side bracket issue (SSBI). The Big East commanded respect and the Catholic Boyz gave it to them, but unfortunately, the marbles-basket theory proved to be their downfall. Praying for a miracle at this point.

It was nice while it lasted....

From morning line favorites to Sayonara. It's been real, Win-Docs, hope you enjoyed the pizza.  The Win-Docs came into the Calcutta with visions of past glory only to get completely obliterated and without a win after opening day. Calling hours will be announced soon.

On to the Sweet Sixteen y'all.

Elders enter record books with seven first round wins

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SYRACUSE -- The Elders nearly completed the first sweep of the opening round with a 7-win start to the 2024 Calcutta. They are the fifth franchise to complete the lucky 7 joining the Bunch 7 [2002], Catholic Boyz [2012, 2016], Win-Docs [2018], Tax Slayers [2019, 2021].

The Elders came into the tourney wielding nothing less than a 11-seed based on their time-tested draft strategy and it looks like this year it should pay off. The squad will have three favored squads over the weekend and a seasoned 5-San Diego St. that draws upset-minded 13-Yale. This squad could have double-digit wins heading to the weekend. Step aside and let the gents with the walkers through.

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The Counselors were looking sweet on Thursday night with the big 14-Oakland upset over UK, but they suffered one of their own when highly-regarded 4-Auburn spit the bit and choked on some Ivy. The barristers still managed to post 5 wins to stay in contention and still have big dog 1-UNC to carry the torch for the law guys. Some dubious matchups in round number two will determine the fate of the legal beagles.

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White smoke was seen coming out of the above on Friday morning, when the Chieftans rallied big time to gain a share of second-place with the Counselors heading into the weekend. Perfect on the right side of the bracket buoyed by the frenetic play of the 12-Dukes of Madison (PS, he was the fifth President, you know). A couple double-digit upset wins on Friday put the natives squarely in the hunt. Will need some second round damage from the middle seeds in the Midwest (5-Gonzaga and 7-Texas) to stick around to the Sweet Sixteen.  Good work to date by the Chiefs.

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It was a tale of two days for the Amigos. After garnering headlines in Thursday's Commish's Flash Notes with a solid 4-2 start, they came back to the back with a winless Friday. Chalked up a couple 11-seed wins on Thursday from A-10 Duquesne and the ACC's Wolfpack, the Dos Amigos will need to avoid the Dos Equis (XX) on Saturday to have a shot. With one of the few SEC teams standing, lots of eggs in the Volunteer basket. Not warming up the saying just yet.

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It was a case of the morning line jinx for the Win-Docs. Their South region in shambles from two upsets of 3-Kentucky and 5-Wisconsin both who looked like they've never seen a basketball today. Elimination is not out of the question after today with them facing a 1 and a 2 and 4-Kansas will have to survive 5-Gonzaga. Would be the quickest exit of a morning line favorite in history. The Win-Docs are in the ER and in search of help.

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For the Commish, it's all about survive and advance. First time dissension in the ranks for not going picking NC State. Opted for 7-Florida instead and we see where that got us. There's still hope to catch a piece riding the 1-Boilermakers and 3-Illini through to the Sweet Sixteen. If they can catch Houston on an off day with the 9-Aggies, well you know.....

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The Catholic Boyz are down to the Big East heavies and nothing left to do but pray for a miracle. Only upset suffered was 6-BYU getting torched by Duquesne. Problem is they are on the same side of the bracket - max wins left is 8 which gets them to double digits, but the Elders could be there today.

On to the second round!

Calcutta morning line oddsmaker dubs Win-Docs early favorites

 

The donning of the famous Yellow Jacket

AMHERST – Calcutta 2024 marks the fourth straight year with the computerized auction and I think we can all admit, the volume is down, but the technology makes life easier unless you are the Chieftans who always think someone stole their land.

Alas, the Calcutta is off to a roaring, yet rare, Monday evening start with the annual donning of the yellow jacket by Slayers' Captain Cancel, err…Chiampou.

The defending champs will be seeking a never-accomplished three-peat, but their drafting was a tad suspect and the morning line maker has them mid-table to start off this year’s hoop fest.

Win-Docs established as Morning Line Favorites at 3-1

The Win-Docs were patient all night and have the best chance to reset history in the first round with a squad that has sweep potential. Their lowest seed is a 10 (Drake), meaning they have a solid shot at running the table in Round 1. Ungodly ASR of 6.9 (nice). Squirreling away early points in the first two rounds and having their big blue-blooded guns 3-Kentucky and 4-Kansas go deep could return the good doctors to their glory years of 2007-2010. They are five years removed from their last title and they are itching to be back on top.

Morning Line Odds: 3-1; Longshot: 9-TCU; ASR:6.9

Late arriving Counselors second choice on the ML

Other than brain-farting the South, the barristers were solid in the other three brackets. Even with forfeiting that region they pulled off a decent ASR at 7.4. With top seed 1-UNC leading the way and two home games to start the tourney, the Counselors have a good shot at emerging from Round 1 with six wins if their seedings hold serve. 4-Auburn is surging late and 6-South Carolina is a potential sleeper in the Midwest. Solid showing by the law guys. Currently suffering the longest active drought (11 years) since their last title.

Morning Line Odds: 4-1; Longshot: 13-Vermont; ASR: 7.4

The chirp was back in Chieftain land

The chirp in the northeast corner of the conference room that has been missing was back in full force on Monday night. The Chief proclaimed his turf early and often, going off script only once. If top seed 1-Houston regains its regular season form they could carry this team a long way. Will need some help from its higher seeds to contend, but this squad is always a tough out. Some Cinderella potential in 12-UAB or 10-Nevada would make things interesting in the teepee.

Morning Line Odds: 6-1; Longshot: 12-James Madison; ASR: 8.5

Elders strategy unchanged in 25 years; big shot to hit the board

You’d have to do some long, hard research to find the last No. 1 seed this team has coveted at the draft and they surprised everyone with a big run at the Cougars (still a good belly laugh) to no avail. I haven’t had to change this headline in 25 years, as they once again went mid-seed and low ASR in their annual attempt to cash a ticket. Monday was no different as the Elders wrapped up the second lowest ASR, they just don’t have the same firepower as the Win-Docs, thus the lower seeding. They’ll need to cane a few opponents relying on their four quintets that are lower than a 5.seed. Their lowest seed of the group is 11-Oregon, who played well in the PAC-12 tourney. Don’t nap on the old guys.

Morning Line Odds: 8-1; Longshot: 11-Oregon ASR: 7.0

Defending champs were all over the place

Those of the double digit ASR will need to slay more than a dragon to make Calcutta history with a three-peat. Uncharacteristically, their bidding was quite erratic and the results show it. Two big teams, however put them in the bottom half of the draw, mainly because 1-UConn and 2-Arizona are on the same side of the bracket and the other side has only 6-Texas Tech that can muster a win. Their Midwest is a disaster. Need at least two upset wins to contend.

Morning Line Odds; 10-1; Longshot: 12-Grand Canyon; ASR: 10.3

Catholic Boyz counting on Big East dominance

When the Catholics draft the Mormons, it’s like cats sleeping with dogs, we’ve officially entered bizarro world. They went Big East heavy with their top selections. Both 2-Marquette and 3-Creighton will need to carry the flag for the Boyz if they want to get back on top. The left side of their bracket could be in shambles early unless 6-BYU makes a pilgrimage to the Sweet Sixteen. Freddy making a nice cameo to try and breathe some life into this crew, who last shared a title in 2018.

Morning Line Odds: 12-1; Longshot: 12-McNeese St; ASR: 9.3

Commish hoping for some B1G magic

Go big or go home. With no distractions (i.e. Syracuse, Auction calling) the Commish had found his groove over the past five years. Going big early with 1-Purdue and 3-Illinois out of the B1G, a hard-hitting physical tourney will be okay with Team Commish. Will need some help out of the South from the 7-Gators and 9-Aggies, this troupe’s fate will be determined in the first two rounds.

Morning Line Odds: 15-1; Longshot: 15-Peacock Nation; ASR: 9.6

Amigos hoping to roll snake eyes

Deuces were wild for the Amigos, with 2-seeds Iowa State and Tennessee on opposite sides of the bracket line up as this cadre’s best hopes for Calcutta acclamation. Matching the Commish’s 9.6 ASR was respectable and they can only go up from here as the Calcutta longest shot on the board. Need 5-St. Mary’s to make some clamor to contend with the favorites.

Morning Line Odds; 20-1; Longshot: 11-NC State St; ASR: 9.6

The results will be posted over the next few days in the google sheet link in the top right corner as usual. Next post - Saturday morning leading into round 2. 

Good luck everyone!

 

FINAL FOUR REPORT: Slayers clinch 2023 Calcutta crown

AMHERST – Backed by a record-tying three teams advancing to the Final Four, the Slayers put away the 2023 Calcutta in dominating fashion. The Slayers lived up to their morning line favorite role with their three squads winning in each round to head to the Final Four with 12 wins and back-to-back titles. It will be their sixth title (third outright) since 1999 and the yellow jacket will stay home in 2023.

They tie the Bunch of Chieftans (2014) for advancing three teams to the Final Four. That year the Chieftans set the all-time win record with 16.

The Slayers used the final five minutes to springboard wins from their Florida-based teams. FAU got hot late on Saturday night to eliminate the higher seed Wildcats (Chieftans) and Miami trailing for most of the game stormed back to set Calcutta history with the big win against Texas (Commish).

The battle now is for second-place between the Counselors (10) and the Win-Docs (9) who snuck into the Final weekend with 5-San Diego State outlasting the BJs on a sucky last second call.  The Win-Docs have outplayed their odds, but need a win in the national semis to tie and in the natty to take sole control of the placing.

The Counselors had a rough weekend with both teams losing and hopes of catching the Slayers slipped away with the Creighton loss. “I object,” motioned Counselor co-owner Mark Aquino, but the objection fell on deaf ears and the jury rested.

The Chieftans failed to menace and will finish out of the money. Sad day, indeed. Never not funny.

A disappointing last-place finish (along with the Amigos) resulted from the Longhorn collapse in the final 10 minutes, squandering a 13-point second half lead and all but handing the Slayers the title and putting the Win-Docs out of reach from a miracle finish.

Here are the eight scenarios and payouts heading to Houston for the Final Four:

UConn or Miami over San Diego State

Slayers $1,200

Win-Docs $400

Counselors $400

UConn or Miami over FAU 

Slayers $1,200

Counselors $500

Win-Docs $300 

FAU over UConn or Miami 

Slayers $1,200

Counselors $500

Win-Docs $300

San Diego State over UConn or Miami

Slayers $1,000

Win-Docs $700

Counselors $300

ELITE EIGHT REPORT: Counselors, Slayers duking it out for top spot

 

Amherst – The 2023 Calcutta has had as many twists and turns as any in recent history. Without a No. 1 seed advancing to the Elite Eight for the first time in history a lot of auction dollars went out the window in the Sweet Sixteen.

The race for Calcutta glory is basically down to two teams who have five of the eight remaining teams left in the Counselors and the Slayers.  The Chieftans and Win-Docs will need to run the table to have an outside shot at the title.  The all-time Calcutta win record set by the Chieftans in 2014 of 16 is safe as the max count if both teams win out is 15 wins.

All rise for the Counselors, who are the leader in the clubhouse heading into regional final weekend headlined by two powerful squads in 3-Gonzaga and 6-Creighton. They’ll even go head-to-head with the Slayers tonight at 8:49 p.m. EDT when the Zags face 4-UConn in a major tilt that has Calcutta title ramifications written all over it. Currently the solicitors are trying to end the longest current title drought as their last title came in 2012.

The barristers drafted well and their 4-1 morning line as the second-choice has held up well. The Blue Jays looked dominant in taking down their frisky Ivy League opponent 15-Princeton (Boyz), but the nerds had no answer for the BJ big guy.

Sitting in second-place one win behind the Firm are the Slayers who advanced three teams to the Elite Eight and (checks history books) could set tie a Calcutta record (2014, Chieftans) if all three win and get to the Final Four. Let’s give a HOOT HOOT to the Slayers for the 9-FAU pick that has worked out nicely so far. The boys from Boca will try and keep their Cinderella shoes on versus 3-Kansas State in the Garden.  5-Miami will join FAU as underdogs, but the Hurricanes are the longest shot at -4 in Vegas of the three remaining teams for the Slayers.

The Chieftans are hanging around with Kansas State, but took a tough “L” with the boys from Cincinnati who just couldn’t hang with the nasty Longhorns (Commish), the current second choice (+360) to win it all behind UConn (+320) [Source: DraftKings Sportsbook].  No sad Indian face [yet].

The Win-Docs cruised into the South Final with the Aztecs who took down the No. 1 seed in the tourney in Louisville. They sit tied with the Chieftans in third and hoping for a little Aztec voodoo to keep pace in an attempt to hit the board and avoid the shutout.

The Catholic Boyz got the goose egg in the Sweet Sixteen failing to advance Cinderella 15-Princeton and No. 1 seed Houston who were hoping to get some home cookin' in the Final Four. They will be sitting in the back pew for the remainder of the tourney.

The Elders were the first to exit the tourney on Thursday night when the 4-Tennessee Vols gave up a lead to the upstart Owls in the world’s most famous arena. “They were out 20 minutes after the early bird special ended,” said Amigos co-owner Scott Sutherland.

Speaking of the Amigos, it’s that time we all highly anticipate every year…wait for it…here it comes...

It was Adios to the Amigos and top seed Alabama, who happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. Mired in the basement, the Amigos suspect draft strategy of "go big or go home," has sent them packing once again.

The Commish played spoiler taking down the Chieftans and can hope to move up the ladder with a potential national champion cash with the Longhorns and avoid a last-place finish after back-to-back titles.

Final Four Report and the final scenarios will be out Monday.  Good luck all.