The shot heard 'round Amherst

AMHERST – Never has one shot had such an impact on an entire Calcutta than the one yesterday to wrap up the Elite Eight.

The Chieftans could have been sipping from the Chalise, other than one errant pass that found its way into enemy hands.

“The shot” opened the door for the Amigos and Catholic Boyz to keep their title hopes alive.  The Amigos can win it all with a Michigan sweep and can clinch a tie with a win in the Final Four.

The Catholic Boyz can only tie for the title and need an Illini sweep to accomplish that.

There is a rare scenario where all three can tie if Illinois beats Michigan in the final.

The Win-Docs and Counselors will continue to play looking for that natty cash and definitely will have the Chieftans riding their respective band wagons.

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

Chieftans experience thrill of victory; agony of defeat all in one game

The Bunch of Chieftans looked like 9-time title holders (and could still get there) at halftime of the Duke-UConn game. What I’d give to see that group text thread. They now play leaders in the clubhouse with no dog left in the fight. Need help (or should I say “send help’).

Amigos almost pull off weekend double

At halftime on Saturday, it looked like the Amigos would be sitting chilly as Iowa continued to outkick their coverage and lead the Illini into the break. They held serve on Sunday with a powerful display by the Wolverines, but Arizona looms next weekend.

Catholic Boyz clinging to third

Purdue ran into a buzzsaw, but the Fightin Illini advance to let the Catholics see another day. You gotta be in it to win it and the Catholic Boyz have made a valiant Calcutta run. They secured a top three spot and can do no worse than third.

Counselors'
miraculous comeback – keeps them live for the natty

Need a sweep to cash – but had to be the moment of the tournament for the legal beagles.

Win-Doctors with the silent killer could take down the final

The Win-Docs get to follow for another weekend and the silent killer Arizona just keeps dismantling teams. Looking forward to the Michigan game and hoping it’s the late contest on Saturday.

Here are the eight potential scenarios and payouts:

UConn over Michigan:

Chieftans (11) - $750

Amigos (11) - $750

Catholic Boyz (9) - $300

Counselors - $200 

UConn over Arizona:

Chieftans (11) - $1,000

Amigos (10) - $500

Catholic Boyz (9) - $300

Counselors - $200 

Illinois over Michigan:

Catholic Boyz (11) - $800

Chieftans (11) - $600

Amigos (11) - $600  

Illinois over Arizona:

Catholic Boyz (11) - $950

Chieftans (11) - $750

Amigos (10) - $300 

Michigan over UConn:

Amigos (12) - $1,200

Chieftans (11) - $500

Catholic Boyz (9) - $300 

Michigan over Illinois:

Amigos (12) - $1,200

Chieftans (11) - $500

Catholic Boyz (10) - $300 

Arizona over UConn:

Chieftans (11) - $1,000

Amigos (10) - $500

Catholic Boyz (9) - $300

Win-Docs $200 

Arizona over Illinois:

Chieftans (11) - $1,000

Amigos (10) - $400

Catholic Boyz (10) - $400

Win-Docs $200

 

 

Good luck everyone!

 

Ooh, Ahh Chieftans on the Warpath

AMHERST – The Chieftans utilized a big Friday night win by 6-Tennessee to open a 2-point lead in the 2026 edition of the William A. Karin Memorial Calcutta over their nearest competitor.

The top three teams could lay claim to the title, with the Amigos and Catholic Boyz nipping at the Chief and crew’s heels.

First three out in the Sweet Sixteen were the Elders, Commish and Slayers….see ya next year!

The Counselors and Win-Docs can only hope to run the table with their lone teams and potentially grab a slice of the show spot.

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

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

A repeat of last year’s Elite Eight headline for the Chieftans who could win a record ninth Calcutta and back-to-back titles. Went 0-and-2 on Thursday only to sweep Friday’s affairs with 1-Duke surviving a scare from the relentless 5-Johnnies. Huge Michigan-Tennessee tilt with the second-place Amigos on Sunday could say a lot on who will advance. They’re the ones to beat.

Amigos defy odds, riding Michigan and Iowa
coattails

I have to admit on draft night I was skeptical of the Amigos draft, when focusing a little closer while setting the morning line, I started to warm up to their bracket positioning and made them the third choice. They gathered the necessary first round wins, advanced two to both the Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight and can ride 1-Michigan as long as they can. Cinderella 9-Iowa has done yeoman work to get this far and a big matchup loom with the Boyz tonight in Houston.

Catholic Boyz poised to strike

They sit one behind the Amigos and three behind the leaders, with two strong B1G squads remaining. 2-Purdue and 3-Illinois have monstrous Elite Eight matchups and we’ll know their potential fate much better after this evening. Illinois beat Iowa by six in Iowa City in early January, which would indicate this could be an all-out brawl in H-town. Purdue faces a strong Wildcat team, but you have to beat the best to be the best. The Boyz will be putting on their finest whites for a big Saturday night.  Oddsmakers would give them a much better shot if they were playing after mass on Sunday, however.

Sayonara Commish, Elders, Slayers

I swear the Commish would have 6-7 wins coming out of the first round. Au Revoir Le Commish.

The Elders started with three in the Sweet Sixteen and end with a Code Blue. Mid-pack finish for the old guys.

The Slayers likely finish in last, worthy of their 20-1 longshot casting by the ML maker.

Peace out.

Win-Docs survive, need Wildcats to run the table

The Win-Docs will look to break a tie with the Slayers for most national champions selected should 1-Arizona win out. They’ll have a rough road to hoe with a potential Purdue, Michigan and likely Duke path to the natty. We shall see. 

Counselors ride the back of Dan Hurley the rest of the way

The solicitors and Dan Hurley are a match made in heaven. Tough, carefree and a mouth as dirty as a kid after spaghetti night. They can play a huge spoiler with a 2-UConn upset of Duke tomorrow. Court will be open on Sunday.

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!

 

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!