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.

 

Sweet Sixteen Report: Catholic Boyz, Counselors lead Calcutta after Round of 32

Win-Docs, Chieftans one behind leaders heading to the Regionals

AMHERST – The Catholic Boyz led by three teams garnered a share of the top spot heading into the Sweet Sixteen in what has been a competitive and tight Calcutta. Buoyed by top-seeded Houston and big (huge) upsets by 15-Princeton and 8-Arkansas, they ride into the second weekend with a survive and advance attitude. The Boyz definitely had their prayers answered with the Ivy boys currently the highest remaining seed alive in the tournament.

The Counselors wrapped up a solid Sunday with the late win with 3-Gonzaga over TCU (Chieftans) going 3-for-5 on the day. In addition to the Zags, the Barristers advanced 6-Creighton and 7-Michigan State both of whom will be playing underdog in the Sixteen. The big Sunday gave them a share of the lead with the Boyz and some big matchups loom next weekend. Here comes the judge.

The Chieftans had to settle for a second-place tie with the Win-Docs with the late night loss by 6-TCU. The Bunch will send two 3-seeds to the Sweet Sixteen with 3-Xavier winning convincingly and 3-Kansas State winning a frenetic game over Kentucky. They’ll be favored in both games so they’ll have a chance to stay in striking distance next weekend. Dangerous team with some arrows still in their quill.

The Win-Docs cooled off after a big first round, but their seeding took its toll over the weekend. They’ll be sliding into the Sweet Sixteen with 2-UCLA and 5-San Diego State, both playing decent basketball. The Aztecs will run into the top seed in the tournament next week and UCLA should be favored to take their region with the Kansas upset looming large in the West Region. Fading quicker than disappearing ink.

The Slayers made a nice late run on Sunday, winning all three games to stay alive. Both 4-UConn and 5-Miami (FL) looked strong down the Thruway in Albany.  Miami draws top-seed Houston (Boyz) and UConn draws 8-Arkansas (Boyz). The big surprise is 9-Florida Atlantic who will head to the Garden and face the lowest seed remaining in the East Region in 4-Tennessee (Elders).  They’ll get to go head-to-head in two of those games with the leader in the clubhouse, so they’re not dead yet. 

The Elders are mired in sixth with five points and the Vols, who have a great shot to get to the Final Four, but they max out at nine wins if they win it all, which probably isn’t going to get it done. The old guys will be playing for a shot at hitting the board. Appear to be waving the white flag.

The Amigos and Commish with similar draft night strategies find themselves in a pillow fight for the basement. The Amigos are down to 1-Alabama and the Commish with 2-Texas, which is a potential Final game matchup for the conso money.

On to the Sweet Sixteen....

Wild First Round in wide open Calcutta

 

Four teams share early lead

AMHERST – In a wild and wooly first round that saw a 16-seed upset 1-Purdue and 2-Arizona and 4-Virginia making early tee times, the 2023 Calcutta got off to a rousing start. 

Four teams (Win-Docs, Catholic Boyz, Counselors and Chieftans) are tied atop the leaderboard with three other squads within a point or two.  It has the makings of possibly the most competitive Calcutta in years.

The Win-Docs were rolling early with hopes of setting Calcutta history with a first round sweep. Going 4-0 on Thursday, the Docs were surgically moving through its early opponents with precision. St. Patty’s Day rolled around however, and the Docs went 1-3, but didn’t slip down the leaderboard.  5-Duke’s region is suddenly wide open and a big matchup with 5-Tenessee (Elders) on Saturday could vault them and the Docs into the Sweet Sixteen with a good chance to have three horses still in the race.

The Catholic Boyz also had a big Thursday holding serve with their top seeds and taking advantage of an upset by 15-Princeton over 2-Arizona (Slayers). The Boyz are back in town was heard playing in the Calcutta once again and today could decide whether they can start distancing themselves from the rest of the pack with four teams in action. A big matchup between 2-Marquette taking on 7-Michigan State (Counselors) looms on Sunday for two of the top teams to date.

 

The Counselors have started to rebound from last year’s debacle and after being shut out on Thursday, banged the gavel on Friday with five wins, none that were really in doubt.  They’ll be taking a recess today, but will come back strong on Sunday with strong arguments to be at the peak of the Calcutta by Sunday night. In addition to the big showdown with the Boyz, the 3-Gonzaga-TCU tilt with the Chieftans is another huge game amongst the leaders on Sunday.

 

Speaking of the Chieftans, they also had a big day, devouring their Friday opponents to tally four wins on the day and gain a slice of the lead. Surviving a 14-Kennesaw State (Commish) upset scare early in the afternoon, their top seeds mostly rolled. The 13-Furman buzzer beater was the difference for the Bunch, but they’ll play the underdog role in four of their five games slated for the Round of 32.  They’ll at least get an accidental win as they face off against themselves in the KSU-Kentucky fixture (that’s soccer talk).

 

Immediately behind the top four squads sits the Elders alone in fifth place one win behind and smarting from the 4-Virginia buzzer beater loss to the Chieftans (Furman). The old guys caned four opponents, but face an uphill battled as Tennessee heads up against a hot Duke squad and will face a 1 and 2 seed in two other contests. But don’t think the sextugenarian duo has started to shake their fists at the sky just yet.

 

Oh, Amigos….losing a top seed when all your eggs were in that basket. But, hey they had 16-FDU so all was not completely lost (close, though).  The Knights actually outplayed the Boilers all night and only need to beat a 9-seed to advance to the Sweet Sixteen.  They sit in sixth place tied with the Slayers with three wins. However, if Alabama rolls…… But if ifs and buts were candy and nuts we’d all have a merry Calcutta.   

 

The defending co-champs have some work to do. They face two difficult 4-5 games over the weekend and the Commish’s morning line “kiss of death” was being whispered around the office all morning on Thursday.  It’s unlikely the engraver will be putting the Slayers on the Chalise this year.

 

Sitting in his mom’s basement is the Commish. An agonizing Friday complete with a computer slam after the 9-FAU buzzer beater (Slayers getting revenge) and Kennesaw giving up a 13-point lead in the final 10 minutes puts the potential three-peat in serious jeopardy. Can only max out with 10 wins if Kansas or Texas run the table, so rooting for a whole lot of whupping up against each other up above.

 Enjoy the Round of 32 Calcuttians.

 

 

 

 

Calcutta off to a rousing start, Slayers tabbed morning line favorite

 

AMHERST -- The festivities got off to a good start with the annual donning of the yellow jacket.  2021 outright champ Commish presented the famed Yellow Jacket to the Slayers for their 2022 co-championship decided on the final night of the tournament last year.  The Chalise has been updated through last year and we were off and running in a tournament (and Calcutta) that looks up for grabs.

Defending Co-Champ Slayers established as Morning Line Favorites

Last year’s overall champ by virtue of capturing the title game, were established as the morning line favorites with a steady draft buoyed by 2-Arizona and 4-UConn on opposite sides of the bracket. Miami (FL) has a decent draw in the Midwest and could rack up a few wins. If they pull of some wins in the 8-9 games with 9-West Virginia and 9-FAU, they could be primed to repeat.

Morning Line Odds: 3-1; Longshot: 11-Providence; ASR:8.3

Counselors second choice after quick exit from bidding scene

Overcoming a slip of the finger on 7-Michigan State that could have cost them dearly, the Barristers put together a solid squad with the lowest ASR in the tourney with no seed less than 12. Hoping to build their bankroll with early wins in the first two rounds with mid-level seeds, they have a shot to make some noise in this year’s Calcutta. Backed by 3-Gonzaga (aren’t they due to win one of these years?) and 4-Indiana, the legal beagles need to win early and win often to have a shot.  Solid squads who are upset-capable include 5-St. Mary’s, 6-Creighton and 7-Texas A&M.

Morning Line Odds: 4-1; Longshot: 12-Charleston; ASR: 7.1

Catholic Boyz look to rebound after rough 2022 outing

The Boyz are back in town? Maintained a middle-of-the-road ASR even though they snatched a 1 seed in Houston (home cookin’ in Final Four?) and 2 seed in Marquette, a team who could be really dangerous with some decent guard play. If they can rebound (they are ranked No. 324 in defensive rebounding percentage – I’m not just a pretty face, dawg) they could go a long way. Will need help in 8-9 games with 8-Arkansas and 8-Maryland to keep their title hopes alive after the first two rounds.

Morning Line Odds: 5-1; Longshot: 12-Oral Roberts; ASR: 8.3

Elders strategy unchanged in 24 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 nailed at the draft. This year’s top pick was 3-Baylor, the 2021 National Champ and backed up by 4-Tennessee, albeit on the same side of the bracket. Their left side is strong with two No.4’s including Virginia.  Auto win in the 8-9 game in the Midwest and will need 7-Northwestern to advance one round to bolster their hopes.

Morning Line Odds: 6-1; Longshot: 10-USC; ASR: 7.1

Bunch looking to rebound after shut out the last three years

The Chief made a brief appearance and then went home to pout in his wigwam. His mates were active throughout, but just couldn’t seem to nab that marquee team. With two 3-seeds in Xavier and Kansas State on opposite sides of the bracket, they’ll need to gather wins early and hope 6-Kentucky goes on a roll to have a shot to hit the board. Their West bracket will need to gain a couple wins to give them a shot at the title.

Morning Line Odds; 10-1; Longshot: 10-Utah State; ASR: 7.8

Commish winner of three of last five Calcuttas went big early

It was shoot early, shoot often for the trigger-happy Commish who was down to $5 and 5 teams left within the first half hour of the draft. Armed with 1-Kansas and 2-Texas, they’ll need a sweep of the right side of the bracket (11 wins) and a win or two out of 8-Memphis and 11-NC State to pull off a first ever three-peat.  This for a team that was in a 17-year drought until 2017.

Morning Line Odds: 15-1; Longshot: 14-Montana St; ASR: 10.1

Amigos abandon early strategy

Overheard before the draft – “We’re not going to spend all of our money early.”  Reality – spent all their money early.  The Amigos looking to avoid the early exit and vaunted saying in 2023. With the Commish dominating the top seeds in the right side of the bracket, the Amigos swiped up the two top seeds on the left side in Alabama and Purdue, which eventually earned them a whopping 10.5 ASR. Similar to the Commish, they need the seep and a win out of double digit seeds. Hopefuls include 10 seeds Penn State and Boise State. The tequila may be flowing by the weekend.

Morning Line Odds: 15-1; Longshot: 16-N. Kentucky; ASR: 10.5

Win-Docs switch up managerial duties, look to get back on track

With Smytty taking over the managerial duties from the Artful Dodger, it didn’t look like the change of pace was the answer. Time will tell though as the Win-Docs have been a formidable contender in Calcuttas past. I like their top pick 2-UCLA, but they will face a tough Gonzaga team in the regional semis, which could be the doom of this squad. 5-Duke seems to be peaking at the right time and they’ll need 5-San Diego State and 7-Missouri to steal a win in the second round to move up the board.

Morning Line Odds; 20-1; Longshot: 13-Kent St; ASR: 8.9

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!