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.
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 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.
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.
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