Since 2001, the saying within these pages has been ¡Adios Amigos! prior to the national championship game, however in a reversal of fortune, the Amigos have absconded with the 2013 Calcutta title, winning their second yellow jacket, and first outright. The results and sidebar have been updated for the newly crowned champs.
Riding the tidal wave that is the Michigan Wolverines and holding off a late rally by the Orange in the ATL, the Amigos coasted on the back of their strong first two rounds and ultra-strong work in the South region, collecting both 4-Michigan (20) and 3-Florida (24), teams that have contributed 8 of their 13 wins to date.
It wasn't meant to be for the Tax Men, who entered the Final Four with two teams remaining, the 9-Wichita State Shockers and the 4-Orange both lost in the national semis on the big stage. The Tax Men had a strong showing in this year's Calcutta, just falling short, but securing second place is still a great accomplishment for the tax guys who were looking for their first title since 2004.
The Counselors kept their third place hopes alive with a win with the lone remaining top seed, 1-Louisville, who held off a game Shocker bunch who just wouldn't go away. It was a game of streaks, and the Cards had the one the mattered most, the last one. Finishing off the Shockers (and the Tax Men) with some strong balling late in the game. Coach Pitino had an especially good day with his colt Goldencents winning the Santa Anita Derby during halftime of the first semifinal.
The Elders and Bunch will be rooting for Beilein and the Wolverines on Monday night with slight hopes or catching a share for third place. Let's take a look at the scenarios:
If 1-Louisville wins:
Three Amigos - 1,000
Tax Men - 500
Counselors - 500
If 4-Michigan wins:
Three Amigos - 1,200
Tax Men - 500
Counselors - 100
Elders - 100
Bunch - 100
Having five teams with a possible chance at some dough ray me and slap leather is what the Calcutta is all about.
Looking forward to the Amigos in that coveted yellow jacket next March.....
