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!