Morning line set for 26 Calcutta, Chieftans early favorite

 

AMHERST – The 27th annual kicked off March Madness in fine fashion, concluding with the Yellow Jacket presentation to the Chieftans, winner of the 2025 edition of the William A. Karin Memorial Chalise.

The Chieftans won for a record ninth time in the Calcutta and ended a three-year streak of the Slayers selecting the national champ.

On to 2026.

A wide-open tourney where any of the top 8 teams could vie for the natty.

In Calcutta Land, the top-seeded teams went for 40, 40, 40 and 39, showing how close the top echelon of competitors there are in this year’s NCAAs.

Shout out to the Auction Pro which tendered only one minor glitch all evening (sorry Counselors, UNC stinks anyways).

Seeing old faces, even if once a year is always good for the soul and our group moves forward yet another year without a defection.

Here’s the morning line, the Commish has been a solid morning-line maker over the past few years, eyeing the eventual champion Chieftans last year as the second choice…who will get tabbed as this year’s fav?

Defending champs lukewarm Morning Line Favorites at 3-1

We were leaning a couple of different ways to set the favorite, including yours truly, but landed on the Chiefs to defend their land in 2026. Rock solid top seed Duke-1 headlines Indigent Nation with a solid right half of the bracket in Arkansas-4 in the West and Tennessee-6 and Georgia-8 in the Midwest. The tribe is a proven commodity that’s the one to beat.

Morning Line Odds: 3-1; Longshot: VCU-11; ASR: 8.25

Commish spends early, maneuvers late

Early mover, late shaker. Commish & Assoc. garnered the lowest seed rating on the day and snatched the cheapest top seed in Florida-1. After spending large for Alabama-4 in the Midwest and for dark horse Louisville-6 in the East, the Commish is well balanced in each region, which is poetry in motion in some Calcutta years. A late evening math gaffe by the Win-Docs landed a 9-seed (TCU) for the low, low price of two bucks. Will need some mid-seed magic in the early rounds to put them in the catbird seat.

Morning Line Odds: 4-1; Longshot: Saint Mary’s-7; ASR: 7.0

Amigos chase the blue bloods looking for first title since 2019

Went big with Michigan added the basketball blue bloods Kansas-4, UNC-6 and Kentucky-7, all on off years, but with solid name recognition. You know who else had great name recognition, Abe Lincoln. Seriously, the Mexicanas have some solid mid seeds in Iowa-9 and Utah St-9 (who I love). Last outright championship was in 2013, coming close in 2024 as runner-up to the Elders.

Morning Line Odds: 6-1; Longshot: Utah State-9; ASR: 8.25

The Counselors look to break the drought

It is a year to end droughts in Buffalo, so don’t count out the barristers. I’ll give them a solid left side of the bracket, but they’ll need help on the left side with lone single-digit seed Wisconsin-5.  Two big dogs, UConn-2 and Houston-2 were both in consideration for top seeds over the last two weeks, falling in conference tourney championships. The legal beagles can ride those two to the prom but will need to bring them to the final dance to have a chance.

Morning Line Odds: 8-1; Longshot: Santa Clara-10; ASR: 8.38

Elders strategy unchanged in 27 years; big shot to hit the board

I haven’t had to change this headline in 27 years.  You’d have to do some long, hard research to find the last No. 1 seed this team drafted…they go mid-seed with hopes to cash a ticket. Monday was a little different in that their ASR rating was higher than usual, but they just didn’t overspend. Lowest two seeds however are in the same bracket (whoops) in Michigan State-3 and the Johnnies-5 in the East. Like his West teams, BYU-6 (low NET rating) and High Point-12 as solid win stealers. Give the old fellers their due.

Morning Line Odds: 10-1; Longshot: High Point-12; ASR: 9.13

The Win-Docs unbalanced and vulnerable

The left side of their bracket is a train wreck. Nothing lower than a 12. How does that happen? Right side is murderer’s row with Arizona-1, Gonzaga-3 and Virginia-3 and maybe a Cinderella in Miami of Ohio (Amigo-1’s alma mater). They’ll have to withstand some punches early, but three teams that will need to go long into the tourney to win it all.

Morning Line Odds; 12-1; Longshot: McNeese-12; ASR: 9.13

Catholic Boyz needs Big Ten dominance

Ended up with some bad teams (two 15s and a 16) and ended up with some good teams. Well balanced in each of the brackets (survive and advance is the word for the men of cloth). Purdue-2 will have to duplicate their efforts in the B1G tourney and 3-Illinois has a solid bunch. UCLA-7 rounds out their Big Ten bulk and Texas Tech-5 can surprise. They could’ve landed higher on this list, but four quick losses look imminent.

Morning Line Odds: 15-1; Longshot: South Florida-11; ASR: 9.38

Slayers will play the longshot role

Sometimes this happens when you hold your dough too long. It gets soggy. Will need some big 8-9 and 7-10 game upset wins in the first round if they are going to be a threat. Iowa State-2 is good but has historically faltered early in the tourney. Loved the work during the draft but seems like there’s not much to show for it. Could prove me wrong.

Morning Line Odds: 20-1; Longshot: Pick a 10 seed not named Santa Clara; ASR: 8.38

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!

Special Report: Chieftans secure 2025 Calcutta and eighth title

WIN-DOCTORS SECURE SECOND, CATHOLIC BOYZ THIRD

AMHERST – The Chieftans rode a second-half blitz by the Gators to claim their eighth championship and third outright title to collect the cherished Chalise in this year’s edition of the William A. Karin Calcutta.

The Win-Docs took care of business in their semifinal game but needed help from the Commish to have a shot at a tie for the top spot. The win secured second-place for the Win-Docs who were 10-1 on the morning line.

The Catholic Boyz held on for third when the Tigers and Blue Devils bowed out, hitting the board for the first time in seven years (2018) since the last time they shared a title.

Chieftans rally to title behind Gators (and some gambling info)

The Bunch of Chieftans still have some work to do and could grab some extra walkin’-around money tonight with a Gator win. The spread is close, and U of H has the defense to keep it close. My AI buddy Claude thinks based on tempo considerations that the total points should be somewhere around 135-136, so the Vegas line at 141.5 is likely on the high end, which Claude projects to be 145.

Win-Docs ride Cougars to climax, look to head off Florida in finale

That headline is just too funny to say anything else.

Catholic Boyz drankin that wine to cash a minor award

We’ve actually forgotten who the Boyz actually had but sit, watch and cash worked for them.

¡Adios Amigos!

The Amigos were as disappointing as Timothy was in the White Lotus finale. Blowing a 14-point lead (and my 4-leg parlay) was enough to end it all.

Second half dooms Tigers

At halftime, the Commish and Associate were screaming to “stop the game.” Unfortunately, it’s a 40-minute contest and when you back the ringless Charles’ Barkley alma mater you know what you’re going to get. A round mound of ………

Here are the final two potential scenarios and payouts:

Florida over Houston:

Chieftans (13) - $1,200

Win-Docs (10) - $500

Catholic Boyz (9) - $300

 Houston over Florida:

Chieftans (12) - $1,000

Win-Docs (11) - $700

Catholic Boyz (9) - $300

That's a wrap on Calcutta 2025...until next year.

Chieftans secure title share with Gator win, look for the whole enchilada next weekend

 WIN-DOCTORS CAN CLAIM A SHARE IN ONE SCENARIO

AMHERST – The Chieftans powered their way to another Calcutta title, clinching at least a share of the top spot and winning outright in seven of eight possible scenarios next weekend. It will be their eighth outright or shared title.

The Win-Docs need Houston to run the table and Auburn to beat Florida in the semis to claim a tie with the Chieftans in the lone potential outcome that does not see the Bunch carrying the Calcutta Chalise alone next Monday night.

The Commish and Catholic Boyz were both eliminated over the weekend from title hopes but can catch a piece of the pie if things go the right way.

The Amigos will continue to play spoiler and can sneak into ties for third should Duke sweep the Final Four.

Let’s take a team-by-team capsule look into the weekend festivities:

Chieftans split Elite Eight games on way to share of title

The Bunch of Chieftans grabbed their first title since 2018 beating the Gator Drum, with an amazing come-from-behind win against 3-Texas Tech. Down nine with less than three minutes to play the Bunch’s squad rallied to salvage what could have been a potential disaster, knocking the Catholic Boyz out of the title hunt.

Win-Docs need sweep, Florida loss

The Win-Docs hopes of a share of their seventh title rests on a strong Houston squad, who will face their toughest test to date in the Dookies on Saturday. They will be rooting on the Tigers over the Gators to put them in the natty with a chance at a tie.

Catholic Boyz on sidelines, but not in bad shape

The Catholics will have to watch from the clubhouse next weekend awaiting the results, but they will cash in every scenario except one….an Auburn win over Houston in the final.

Tennessee loss dooms Commish, still can make noise with Auburn

The Commish’s title hopes went down early in the Houston-Vols game and now their laurels rest on the Tigers and can only finish as high as second with a sweep of the weekend games. Going to admit, thought Houston was the easiest road to the Final Four, but was dead wrong.

Fat Lady quieted, Amigos playing for that natty cash and outside shot at third

The Amigos will ride the hottest team into the Final Four and hope to Flagg down a natty. The Amigos control their own destiny and will be the major obstacle for the Win-Docs title hopes.

Here are the eight potential scenarios and payouts:

Florida over Duke:

Chieftans (13) - $1,200

Win-Docs (9) - $400

Catholic Boyz (9) - $400

 

Florida over Houston:

Chieftans (13) - $1,200

Win-Docs (10) - $500

Catholic Boyz (9) - $300

 

Auburn over Duke:

Chieftans (11) - $1,000

Commish (10) - $700

Win-Docs (9) - $150

Catholic Boyz (9) - $150

 

Auburn over Houston:

Chieftans (11) - $1,000

Commish (10) - $600

Win-Docs (10) - $400

 

Duke over Florida:

Chieftans (12) - $1,000

Amigos (9) - $467

Win-Docs (9) - $267

Catholic Boyz (9) - $266

 

Duke over Florida:

Chieftans (12) - $1,000

Amigos (9) - $400

Win-Docs (9) - $200

Catholic Boyz (9) - $200

Commish (9) - $200

 

Houston over Florida:

Chieftans (12) - $1,000

Win-Docs (11) - $700

Catholic Boyz (9) - $300

 

Houston over Auburn:

Win-Docs (11) - $950

Chieftans (11) - $750

Commish (9) - $150

Catholic Boyz (9) - $150

 

 

Good luck everyone!

 

Elite Eight Report, Chieftans hold slight lead, advantage

Four teams still could hold key to Calcutta

AMHERST – The Chieftans utilized a big Thursday where they almost ran away with it when 10-Arkansas flamed out late in the game. Big wins by 1-Florida and 2-Alabama catapulted the warriors to the top of the leaderboard.

Two more teams joined the defending champs on the sidelines as the morning line favorites lost two Sweet Sixteen games. The ouster of the Slayers ended their hopes of a national champion selection four-peat.

Joining the Slayers on the sidelines were the very chirpy Counselors. In the end, team dissension did them in and they will be watching from the peanut gallery the rest of the way.

Three teams sitting outside the Chieftans, the Catholic Boyz on their heels one behind and Wind-Doctors left with one-seed Houston to try and run the tape, but they’ll need help. The ole Commish making is patented late move sits three off the pace, but some gunpower left in his holster.

Let’s take a team-by-team capsule look into the weekend festivities:

Chieftans advance two to Elite Eight, Calcutta is in their hands.

The Bunch of Chieftans are seeking their first title since 2018, and first outright since 2014 when they set the Calcutta record of 16 wins. That record is safe, but this team is obviously loaded with two top seeds remaining. The 1-Florida v 3-Texas Tech (C-Boyz) matchup could be the defining game in the tourney and put some distance between the two top squads.

Catholic Boyz in the hunt

The Catholic Boyz are clearly up against it this round facing top seeds in both games, but a win in either of them gets them into the Final Four and if they both win a potential guaranteed team in the championship game. Lots of praying on Sunday for the altar boys, don't sleep on them.

Win-Docs down to the Cougars

Houston, we’ve got a problem, this trip is now solo. The Docs can only get to 11 by a Cougar run to the title, but they can do some damage on the way and can basically eliminate the Amigos and put a big dent on the Commish with wins in the Elite Eight games. Good chance to hit the board if their lone dog does the work.

Commish charging late, may be too late

When your bid up your two best teams and can’t scrape up more than one other win by your six other teams, this is what you get. Still loaded with 1-Auburn and 2-Tennessee (who proved third time was a charm against Big Blue) on opposite sides of the bracket. Rooting for the SEC Final Four and head-to-head games with the Chieftans for a circuitous route to the title.

Amigos still alive, looking for natty cash and play the spoiler role

The Amigos will ride 1-Duke into the Elite Eight and can look for a Low Tide today against Nate Oats. Bama may have shot their shot on Thursday with a phenomenal showering of three-pointers. Hard to imagine they can keep that up against the Dukies. And if they pull the upset, Kate Smith is on stand-by. 

Slayers exit after a rough Friday night

The Slayers didn’t exactly enjoy happy hour on Friday as both 3-Kentucky and 4-Purdue left the Slayers with six wins and can finish no higher than fifth. A disappointing year for the tax guys, but there’s always next year (see Chicago Cubs)...

Counselors get book thrown at them

The longest Calcutta drought reached 13 years for the Counselors who took a bad punch from 2-St. John’s in the Round of 32 and never recovered from the staggering blow. 6-BYU was nice while it lasted, and 4-Maryland ran into a buzz saw. Back to the drawing board, another hung jury in the Calcutta.

The results will be posted over the next few days in the google sheet link in the top right corner as usual. Final Four report - Monday morning with all possible outcomes. 

Good luck everyone!

 

Chieftans grab lead, defending champs eliminated

 

AMHERST – The Chieftans secured the top spot in the 2025 Calcutta heading to the Sweet Sixteen with three second round wins to edge ahead of first-round co-leaders, the Catholic Boyz and the Win-Docs.

The defending champion Elder Statesman exited quietly as 3-Iowa State and mid-seeds 7-Saint Mary’s and 9-Baylor took the pipe on Sunday. They’ll now settle down and wait for the groundhog to see if he sees his shadow (i.e., disorientation has set in).

The Slayers sit two back at six wins, but also advanced three teams to the Sweet Sixteen and the morning line favorites are lurking down the backstretch awaiting to make their vaunted move on the leaders.

Let’s take a team-by-team capsule look into the weekend festivities:

Chieftans secure lead, sitting pretty in the catbird seat

The Chief called and is already asking for a jacket fitting after the weekend display the Bunch delivered. With a 1-Florida and 2-Alabama buoying their title chances, big upsets by a dangerous looking Raz
orback squad faces a winnable game against 3-Texas Tech. They’ll hope for a Florida-Arkansas Elite Eight matchup and a guaranteed finalist.

Catholic Boyz steady in second round

The Catholic Boyz were trying to bring the tournament to its knees after 1-Houston and 4-Arizona won hard fought matchups to forge onward to the Sweet Sixteen. The waters get deeper here with matchups against 4-Purdue in Indianapolis and 1-Duke in Newark. Buckle up, father as the Boyz sit one behind the leader.

Win-Docs go 2-for-5 in Round two

The Win=Docs took a bad beat when 3-Wisconsin went out with a whimper and midnight struck for both 11-seeds McNeese and Drake. They have a solid 2-Michigan State and 3-Texas Tech remaining but will likely be underdogs in both Elite Eight matchups should they advance. Still in the mix to challenge and not exactly time to call for a Code Red, but it could be coming.

Counselors two back, but reeling from Johnnies loss

When your best seed (2-St. John’s) goes out in the Round of 32, the hopes dimmed for the Counselors. With 4-Maryland and 6-BYU (looking like a nice $18 purchase now) carrying the torch for the law boys, they find themselves facing 1-Florida and 2-Alabama in the Sweet Sixteen. Here comes the judge.

Slayers looming large, lurking in shadows waiting to pounce

The morning line favorites sit two back, but in a solid position to hit the board and potentially challenge. They face two top seeds in the next round, but both 5-Michigan and 4-Purdue are playing B1G time ball heading into their big games. 3-Kentucky rolls and faces league nemesis 2-Tennessee in a must-win game for the Slayers. Their four-peat hopes for a national champ is on the ropes this weekend.

Commish in survive and advance mode, part deux

The Commish needed a big win out of 5-Oregon in Seattle last night and didn’t get it. Up 14 early the Flighty Ducks couldn’t make a late charge and 4-Arizona advanced and kept the Win-Docs knocking on the Chieftans door. Will need to run the table with 1-Auburn and 2-Tennessee to have a chance at the top spot.

The Amigos hanging tough

The Amigos, like the Commish, sit three back with two teams remaining in 1-Duke and 6-Ole Miss. Both teams are hooping out but will need some big wins out of the Rebels to make any noise in this year’s big dance. Can’t count them out as the Dookies will likely keep them in the hunt for a piece if they run the table.

The results will be posted over the next few days in the google sheet link in the top right corner as usual. Sweet Sixteen report - Saturday morning. 

Good luck everyone!

 

Three teams sit atop Calcutta after Round One

AMHERST – The 2025 Calcutta has a logjam at the top with each team having at least three wins. The Win-Docs, Catholic Boyz and Bunch of Chieftans sit atop the leaderboard with five first-round wins heading into the Round of 32.

After a disastrous 0-fer on day one for the Amigos, they bounced back to garner three straight wins on Friday to avert flirting with the wrong side of the record books (which they hold the coveted 1 first round win in 2018 – a year they’d rather forget).

Three teams are hunkered down in second with four wins and within striking distance and three sit on the bottom, but only two off the leaders.

Parity has struck the 2025 Calcutta; Roger Goodell would be proud of the job I’m doing.

Win-Docs big first day vaults them to top for cut of the lead

The Good Doctors pawned off two big wins by 11-Drake and 12-McNeese, those low seed victories so key to winning the Calcutta, to jump up the leaderboard on Thursday. Solid wins by 3-Wisconsin and 4-Zona have the Win-Docs having a good shot to enter the Sweet Sixteen with eight wins which is a good number to be at heading into next weekend. Yes, their last shared title was in 2018 but seeking their first outright Chalise (sic) since 2016.

Catholic Boyz in the hunt

The Altar Boyz have been quiet since 2018 as well, without hitting the board in the last five Calcuttas. Is this the year for divine intervention? Some solid mid-seed drafting on Tuesday puts them in the hunt on the CBS scoreboard. Will need some help as the waters get deeper for three of their seeds this weekend, but they could also be sitting on eight with an upset win or two.

Bunch of Chieftans circling the wagons

Whose been steadier than the Chieftans over the years and they are right back in the thick of things battling their old nemesis the Win-Docs for the top spot. 1-Florida looks monstrous and could easily run the table giving them nine wins, but will need steady wins from 2-Alabama and another upset or two.  Could be the team to beat.

Counselors in battle to stay alive

With only one outright title in 25 years and nothing since 2012, the solicitors started strong on Thursday, but only mustered a win out of 4-Maryland on Friday to sit one back of the triumvirate above. 2-St. John’s rolled, but a looming matchup with Florida next weekend could spell the demise of the procurators. In second, but in a tedious position.

The Elders

A funny stat that I never realized (and you’ll see in the epilogue of today’s column) is that the Elders have never drafted the national champion. I guess it makes sense based on their vaunted mid-seed draft strategy. While the defending champs sit in second, they usually are sitting on five or six wins at this point, so there is cause for concern for the elderly. They need a sweep to get to eight (my magic number, not yours) and then they’ll be playing Cinderella. Better sharpen up that walker.

Commish in survive and advance mode

The Commish’s title hopes is riding on seeing 5-Oregon win over 4-Zona in Seattle. Hoping the short travel from the nearby state and some home cooking (Pacific Northwest sticks together baby) will push three teams into the Sweet Sixteen.  Of course, that assumes 1-Auburn and 2-Tennessee hold serve today.

The Slayers make good use of morning line favorite jinx

Put the kiss of death on the Slayers (artist formerly known as the Wagon-eers) with the morning line favoritism. But whose been better – drafting last three natty champs and two of last three titles, so could you blame the Greek for tabbing them as the chalk? Should put through all three remaining teams to the next round which means they’ll remain in the hunt.

Fat Lady stuffed on Friday

The Amigos were close to reliving the pain of 2018, but rebounded solidly on Friday with 1-Duke, 6-Ole Miss and 8-UConn advancing. Duke will keep them squarely in the Mix, but the other two teams will be underdogs on a big Sunday for the Chicanos.

Title data revealed

After withstanding the whining about multiple titles and naming rights, the Commish put together a historical view of title runs by each of the eight franchises since 1999. Very interesting to see both the consistency and the mediocrity of the franchises over the last 25 years.

The results will be posted over the next few days in the google sheet link in the top right corner as usual. Sweet Sixteen post - Monday morning. 

Good luck everyone!