Calcutta Elite Eight Report: Battle of the Titans looming

Amherst, NY -- A battle of Calcutta titans is brewing as the front-running Win-Docs look to hold off the charging Chieftans as we settle into the Elite Eight.

Battle of Titans looming (Godzilla v Rodan)

With upsets galore, the Docs set the pace early and have led throughout, holding a slim one-game margin over the Chieftans.  The Bunch kept pace and gained a game on the leaders in the Sweet Sixteen and are poised to make a run at their seventh Calcutta title.

The Win-Docs are starting to wobble as they head for home at the quarter pole of this year's tournament. Going 1-2 in the Sweet Sixteen and left with 3-Texas Tech to face off with mighty Villanova.

Here's a capsule look at the remaining teams.

Win-Docs.  The Doctors head into the Elite Eight with the Ramblin' Wreck of 3-Texas Tech who manhandled a wounded 2-Purdue squad to eliminate the Commish, last year's defending champion (see how I worked that in). The Wildcats looked good, so they could be the leader in the clubhouse watching TV the rest of the way rooting for the Chieftans to get beat. Can they hold off the Chieftans to secure a record-tying sixth championship?  Time will tell.

The Win-Docs are hanging on to the lead.

Bunch of Chieftans. Rallying late, but not exactly a cinch to cross the wire first, the Chieftans are a length back with two teams in the Eight. Both teams will face tough, physical opponents from the Big 12 in hopes to advance to the Final Four with a chance at Calcuttian glory. 2-Duke's bigs looked great last night eliminating the Cuse (to stymie the Tax Slayers, for now). 11-Loyola is the Cinderella story of the tournament, but rugged 9-K State can ball and will try and outphysical the Ramblers.  Not a Sister Jean fan, sorry.

The Chieftans are on the warpath

Catholic Boyz.  You say Catholic, I say Nova. Catholic-Nova, Catholic-Nova. Anyways the top seed in the East played like it to send home the Chieftans' Mountaineers and stay within striking distance. They need tons of help, but can stagnate the Win-Docs, hope for wins by Kansas, K-State and Michigan as their optimal Final Four. A win in a Michigan-Nova final in that situation can catch them a piece of the title. Lot of ifs in there.

Lots of praying in Catholic Boyz headquarters

Tax Slayers. With two bites at the apple and top seed Kansas still flourishing, an all Slayer final with 9-Florida State would produce 13 wins and the yellow jacket in hand. It's obvious who the Slayers are rooting for. Some big games ahead for the Jayhawks, as they'll have to put away 2-Duke to get to San Antonio and then 1-Nova in the Final Four.  Not out of the question, but daunting.

Yellow Jacket fashion for the Slayers?

Elder Statesmen. Can get to max 10 (second-place) with a 9-K-State run to glory. I'll admit they look tough, but improbable given the teams remaining.  Along with the Wildcats from Manhattan, they'll be rooting for Tech, Duke and Michigan this weekend, which gives them a solid chance at show money.

Elders be like...yeah I'm a Michigan man.

Counselors. Best scenario is sweeps by Win-Docs and Chieftans and a Beilien-led run by the Wolverines. Were set up nicely heading into the Elite Eight, but 5-Kentucky took the pipe and the Counselors best hope is likely national championship dough.

Sorry, but it's not looking bright.

Good luck, if you're still alive heading into the weekend.

Sweet Sixteen Report: Mano a Mano

In one of the closest Calcutta's in recent memory, the two horse race continues as the Bunch of Chieftans and the Win-Doctors roll into the Elite Eight with 12 wins each and separation between them and the rest of the field. The all-time record of 15 set way back in 2000. Both squads are looking for their fourth Calcutta title and the overall titles lead, which makes this cutthroat battle even more interesting to watch. The Chieftans had a huge opportunity to take 3 of 4 Sweet 16 games, but a valiant effort by the A-10's Xavier Musketeers fell short in double OT. The Win-Doctors are humming the "d" word (dynasty) looking for their third title in four years. Ironically, these two teams possibly may not meet each other again until the Final Four, and if that happens, look out!


A three team battle for the show spot has developed between the two defending champions with the Catholic Boyz pounding out two Friday night wins to reach the 8 win mark and advance two squads to the Elite Eight. The Counselors and the Tax Men both remain alive for a third place finish. The Statesmen joined the Commish on the sidelines tonight after their lone Sweet 16 squad from California bowed out after a pretty weak effort against Baylor playing in the friendly confines in Houston.


And Calcuttians, it's that time again where we get to say: ADIOS AMIGOS!!! Thanks for coiming, nice run by the Panthers of Northern Iowa.