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.

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.

 

Calcutta: Win-Docs take 2-point lead into Sweet Sixteen

Amherst, N.Y. - After a historic first round, the Win-Docs cooled off going 3-4, but still control the 2018 Calcutta heading into the Sweet Sixteen. The Docs have accumulated double-digit wins and lead the Bunch by two with both squads carrying three teams into the second weekend.

Several teams sit behind the top two, bunched together in the middle of the pack, within striking distance but needing help knocking off the top two.

Every squad advanced a team to the Sweet Sixteen, although two teams are left with a lone survivor (Elders, Amigos).

Let's take a swing around the Calcutta to see where everyone sits....

Win-Doctors. The five-time champs sit in the catbird seat advancing 3-Texas Tech, 4-Gonzaga and 7-Texas A&M. Ironically, A&M looked the best of the three in their Round of 32 matchup, drilling the 2-seed Carolina in Charlotte. Tech gets a wounded Purdue squad and Gonzaga catches a break with 1-Xavier getting upset. The Docs are poised for victory, but need a couple more wins to start the celebration.

Win-Docs: It's not time to start gloating, yet.

Bunch of Chieftans. The maroon and gold of 11-Loyola (Chi) vaulted the Bunch to the upper echelon of the Calcutta. They get a break with 7-Nevada beating Cincinnati in an epic choke game, and have a shot to advance to the Elite Eight. 2-Duke gets and 11-seed who they've beat in the conference and 4-West Virginia will look to take down 1-Villanova. The Bunch is sitting chilly at the top of the stretch looking to pounce on the rival Docs.

Loyola (Chi) cheering section

Catholic Boyz. The Boyz from the altar are alive with 1-Villanova and miracle workers the 7-Nevada Wolfpack, who will be wearing the home whites in the crazy south regional in Atlanta next week. Wolfpack look hungry on They came through St. Patty's Day better than past years and have a shot to still make some noise with 7 wins heading into the Sweet Sixteen. The soft East Region could be the route to cash money.

Wolfpack heading to Atlanta

Tax Slayers. Taking advantage of Black Sunday, the Slayers re-entered the picture with a 3-0 weekend, including two huge upsets. With ACC also-rans 11-Syracuse and 9-Florida State pulling major upsets, they slide into the Sweet Sixteen with 1-Kansas, who looks to be the best remaining team left (apologies to Villanova). The Slayers be slaying.

With 4 more wins.....

Commish & Assoc. The total Cincinnati meltdown was like watching a train wreck in your backyard. The Commish was set to waltz into the Sixteen with three squads, including two deuces. Insteadthey threw craps and has to hope that a wounded 2-Purdue and an overmatched 5-Clemson can sneak through their respective regions. Best shot is third at this point.

Are you kidding me, Cincinnati?

Elder Statesmen. Caught a break facing a 16 seed, but suffered a dismal 1-4 record over the weekend. Not looking good with lone remaining 9-K-State facing high flying Kentucky in Cat-lanta.

No caption necessary

Counselors. How is a 5 seed the top team in the South? If not for a miracle shot by 3-Michigan on Saturday night (simply incredible btw), they would be down to the Cats. Actually they look to have a clear shot to Monday night with the West falling apart on Sunday. They're not dead yet.

Don't count them out just yet.

Amigos. Not sure that record will ever be broken. Total Calcutta wins: 1. Have to admit, I'm kinda speechless here. Well accept for that one thing.

Wait for it....

Wait....

Here it comes....

¡Adios Amigos!

¡Adios Amigos!

BREAKING Amherst, N.Y.- Upset City in San Jose, as the Catholic Boyz (11-Xavier) claim a tie for second-place with the Commish (1-Gonzaga) at 8 wins and start breathing down the necks of the Counselors.

As it is with tradition, the ¡Amigos! have left the building with losses by 2-Arizona and 7-Michigan, so without further adieu.....

 

Things are starting to get interesting in Calcutta land with some big tilts tonight between UCLA-Kentucky (Pickem), UNC (-7.5)-Butler, Baylor(-3.5)-So Carolina and Wisconsin-Florida (-1.5).  All three remaining teams for the Counselors will be in action, favored in one of the three (Baylor).

The Slayers could sweep all three of their games and the Commish will have to go back in the record books to see what the record is for Sweet Sixteen wins, which is currently undocumented.

Good luck, all. Here's a little Jim Reeves to wish our good friends the two-time champion ¡Amigos! a good night.....until next year.

via GIPHY