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.