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!

Slayers slay draft through patience and persistence

 

AMHERST – 2025 marks the 26th documented year of the annual Calcutta and this year’s edition of the William A. Karin Memorial Calcutta surely didn’t disappoint.

The Counselors brought back the old time feuding they used to be so well known for.

The Amigos made sure they spent early on a one seed.

The Commish had no money left by 6 p.m.

The Elders forgot to show up for the yellow jacket celebration due to early onset Alzheimers.

So here we are with a solid start to 2025 in a wide-open tourney with any of 10 teams who could be in the spotlight during the playing of the One ShiningMoment .

One record to keep an eye out for is the Slayers have drafted the last three national champions which tied them with the early Chuck Wagon days (1999-2001) and the Win-Docs run in the late aughts (2008-2010).

Slayers emerge as heavy Morning Line Favorites at 2-1

The Slayers played the waiting game all night long, stuck on 57 for a good 45 minutes. Came away with the Aldi steal of the tournament with Marquette-7 for $2. They’ve hooked their steed to the Midwest Region however with Kentucky-3 and Purdue-4, but have mid-level seeds throughout the left hand side of the bracket, and could potentially threaten the first ever sweep of the first round. The only team not favored in Round 1 is Vanderbilt-10. These guys could lock it up by the weekend.

Morning Line Odds: 2-1; Longshot: N/A (they have none); ASR:6.0

Chieftans crafty draft strategy puts them in fold

Some craftiness shown by the tribe, as they finagled some late round chicanery that got them a 10-seed (New Mexico) for a $1. Well balanced in the brackets with Florida-1 on one side and Alabama-2 on the other makes them dangerous to stack up points. Will need some wins out of Illinois-6 and an upset of two from the bottom five teams to make a run. Hail to the Chiefs (missed the annual visit by the real Chief)

Morning Line Odds: 4-1; Longshot: 12-Liberty; ASR: 8.9

Amigos

I rarely give the Amigos their due, but Duke-1 is playing close to the best basketball in the nation and could run the table on the right side of the bracket. Solid middle seeds can pile up some early wins to assist a big Duke number with Ole Miss-6 and Kansas-7 both programs that can due some damage. Back up the sombrero the Amigos could be dancing late into the tourney.

Morning Line Odds: 6-1; Longshot: 10-Utah State; ASR: 7.9

Elders strategy unchanged in 26 years; big shot to hit the board

I haven’t had to change this headline in 26 years.  You’d have to do some long, hard research to find the last No. 1 seed this team drafted…they go mid-seed and low ASR and try to cash a ticket. Monday was no different as the Elders wrapped up the second lowest ASR, yielding that spot to the Slayers. Fanch played remotely (WFH) which wasn’t the easiest without a view of the big board. Rookie mistake could end up being costly. Iowa State-3 is their lowest seed and their next lowest is in the same bracket (A&M in the South). A run from Clemson-5 to the Sweet Sixteen would make this team very interesting.

Morning Line Odds: 8-1; Longshot: 7-Saint Mary’s (to go deep); ASR: 8.5

The Win-Docs drought should continue

The Win-Docs were up to their old antics with some late bidding and chirping it up throughout the evening. The fact is the drought is up to nine years and only the Counselors (2012) have been trophyless longer. The left side of their bracket is a total disaster with Drake-11 their lowest seeded team. They’ll need to poach a bunch of wins to have a shot and hope Houston-1 doesn’t have a problem getting out of the Midwest and either Arizona-4 or Wisconsin-3 gets to the Elite Eight. They just weren’t on their game.

Morning Line Odds; 10-1; Longshot: 11-Drake; ASR: 9.3

The Bickering Barristers dubious drafting

The legal beagles were at each other at key moments of the night, shades of ole Johnny C giving Baki the biz. Hoping Pitino can find that old magic with St. John’s-2 and that Maryland-4 can get through and knock off Auburn. They’ll need some upsets and BYU-6 (18$!!) and Gonzaga-10 to win a couple games to keep them in contention. Leaning towards a hung jury.

Morning Line Odds: 12-1; Longshot: 12-UC-San Diego; ASR: 8.6

Catholic Boyz need Big East dominance

The Catholic Boyz were active all night, but just seemed to get edged out of a lot of teams. Michigan St.-2 has the fire power to make a sustained run and Texas Tech-3 was a big purchase for an unproven five. UCLA-7 was competitive all year and has solid coaching, but that’s the best they have on the right side of the bracket. Confession is Sunday night at 11.

Morning Line Odds: 15-1; Longshot: 12-Colorado St; ASR: 8.9

Commish all in with two squads

The Commish has hit the board in three of the last four Calcuttas after two seconds and one third in the first 17 years of action. We’ll play longshot as one upset of Auburn-1 or Tennessee-2 blows up their Calcutta. A whopping 10.0 ASR, buoyed by three 15-seeds has the Commish down to three teams by the weekend if all holds. Oregon-5 is their wild card in the East and if they can pull together two-three wins in a different ball game.

Morning Line Odds; 20-1; Longshot: 13-Grand Canyon; ASR: 10.0

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. 

We'll be a little light on the GIFs this year until we get to the later rounds...so you'll just have to enjoy my eloquence.

Good luck everyone!

Calcutta morning line oddsmaker dubs Win-Docs early favorites

 

The donning of the famous Yellow Jacket

AMHERST – Calcutta 2024 marks the fourth straight year with the computerized auction and I think we can all admit, the volume is down, but the technology makes life easier unless you are the Chieftans who always think someone stole their land.

Alas, the Calcutta is off to a roaring, yet rare, Monday evening start with the annual donning of the yellow jacket by Slayers' Captain Cancel, err…Chiampou.

The defending champs will be seeking a never-accomplished three-peat, but their drafting was a tad suspect and the morning line maker has them mid-table to start off this year’s hoop fest.

Win-Docs established as Morning Line Favorites at 3-1

The Win-Docs were patient all night and have the best chance to reset history in the first round with a squad that has sweep potential. Their lowest seed is a 10 (Drake), meaning they have a solid shot at running the table in Round 1. Ungodly ASR of 6.9 (nice). Squirreling away early points in the first two rounds and having their big blue-blooded guns 3-Kentucky and 4-Kansas go deep could return the good doctors to their glory years of 2007-2010. They are five years removed from their last title and they are itching to be back on top.

Morning Line Odds: 3-1; Longshot: 9-TCU; ASR:6.9

Late arriving Counselors second choice on the ML

Other than brain-farting the South, the barristers were solid in the other three brackets. Even with forfeiting that region they pulled off a decent ASR at 7.4. With top seed 1-UNC leading the way and two home games to start the tourney, the Counselors have a good shot at emerging from Round 1 with six wins if their seedings hold serve. 4-Auburn is surging late and 6-South Carolina is a potential sleeper in the Midwest. Solid showing by the law guys. Currently suffering the longest active drought (11 years) since their last title.

Morning Line Odds: 4-1; Longshot: 13-Vermont; ASR: 7.4

The chirp was back in Chieftain land

The chirp in the northeast corner of the conference room that has been missing was back in full force on Monday night. The Chief proclaimed his turf early and often, going off script only once. If top seed 1-Houston regains its regular season form they could carry this team a long way. Will need some help from its higher seeds to contend, but this squad is always a tough out. Some Cinderella potential in 12-UAB or 10-Nevada would make things interesting in the teepee.

Morning Line Odds: 6-1; Longshot: 12-James Madison; ASR: 8.5

Elders strategy unchanged in 25 years; big shot to hit the board

You’d have to do some long, hard research to find the last No. 1 seed this team has coveted at the draft and they surprised everyone with a big run at the Cougars (still a good belly laugh) to no avail. I haven’t had to change this headline in 25 years, as they once again went mid-seed and low ASR in their annual attempt to cash a ticket. Monday was no different as the Elders wrapped up the second lowest ASR, they just don’t have the same firepower as the Win-Docs, thus the lower seeding. They’ll need to cane a few opponents relying on their four quintets that are lower than a 5.seed. Their lowest seed of the group is 11-Oregon, who played well in the PAC-12 tourney. Don’t nap on the old guys.

Morning Line Odds: 8-1; Longshot: 11-Oregon ASR: 7.0

Defending champs were all over the place

Those of the double digit ASR will need to slay more than a dragon to make Calcutta history with a three-peat. Uncharacteristically, their bidding was quite erratic and the results show it. Two big teams, however put them in the bottom half of the draw, mainly because 1-UConn and 2-Arizona are on the same side of the bracket and the other side has only 6-Texas Tech that can muster a win. Their Midwest is a disaster. Need at least two upset wins to contend.

Morning Line Odds; 10-1; Longshot: 12-Grand Canyon; ASR: 10.3

Catholic Boyz counting on Big East dominance

When the Catholics draft the Mormons, it’s like cats sleeping with dogs, we’ve officially entered bizarro world. They went Big East heavy with their top selections. Both 2-Marquette and 3-Creighton will need to carry the flag for the Boyz if they want to get back on top. The left side of their bracket could be in shambles early unless 6-BYU makes a pilgrimage to the Sweet Sixteen. Freddy making a nice cameo to try and breathe some life into this crew, who last shared a title in 2018.

Morning Line Odds: 12-1; Longshot: 12-McNeese St; ASR: 9.3

Commish hoping for some B1G magic

Go big or go home. With no distractions (i.e. Syracuse, Auction calling) the Commish had found his groove over the past five years. Going big early with 1-Purdue and 3-Illinois out of the B1G, a hard-hitting physical tourney will be okay with Team Commish. Will need some help out of the South from the 7-Gators and 9-Aggies, this troupe’s fate will be determined in the first two rounds.

Morning Line Odds: 15-1; Longshot: 15-Peacock Nation; ASR: 9.6

Amigos hoping to roll snake eyes

Deuces were wild for the Amigos, with 2-seeds Iowa State and Tennessee on opposite sides of the bracket line up as this cadre’s best hopes for Calcutta acclamation. Matching the Commish’s 9.6 ASR was respectable and they can only go up from here as the Calcutta longest shot on the board. Need 5-St. Mary’s to make some clamor to contend with the favorites.

Morning Line Odds; 20-1; Longshot: 11-NC State St; ASR: 9.6

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!

 

Calcutta Morning Line: Slayers tabbed as 2019 chalk

2018 Champs (Catholic Boyz) don the coveted Yellow Jacket (photobomb by the Chief)

Amherst, N.Y. -- The 2019 Calcutta was off with a bang with the 1 seeds flying out early and in a big way. A donning of the Yellow Jacket, a toast to our late counselor colleague and a welcome to our newest counselor got the ball rolling.

The Tax Slayers avoided Chapter 11 by making a big push with late money to artfully pick up some solid squads at bargain basement prices. It was the first year that the Bunch of Chieftans brought their analytics to the draft with Bradley "Billy Ball" Hall putting the metrics to work all evening long as supplied by his long time partner. They may just end up in the closet after surveying their picks post-draft.

The defending champs maintained their low ASR strategy that propelled them to last year's championship and gave a nod to the team that got their name engraved on the Chalise (sic) with 6-Villanova.

A gentle reminder that the results are posted in the upper right hand corner where you can see all of the teams. Recaps after every round will be posted here with a link emailed out to the group.

Over the past five years Average Seed Ratings (ASR) for the Calcutta champ has been 7.1 (Catholic Boyz - 2018) 9.6 (Commish - 2017), 9.9 (Win-Docs - 2016), 7.3 (Tax Men - 2015) and 8.5 (Bunch - 2014, record 16 wins). So it's been all over the board, but the morning line maker tends to lean towards the lower ASR.

So let's get the morning line rolling....without further adieu.....

The Tax Slayers. (3-1 ML, 8.4 ASR) Heavily slanted to the right hand side of the bracket, the Slayers will need their top dogs in 1-North Carolina and 2-Tennessee to do reach the Final Four to have their best shot. Picking up wins by any of their 9 seeds (Baylor, Oklahoma and Washington) in the vaunted 8-9 games would only push their agenda forward. Sleeper:12-Liberty

Slayers hoping Carolina is #1 and not #0

The Catholic Boyz. (4-1 ML, ASR 7.4) Was a tough decision not to tab them as the morning line favorites, with the low ASR, the artful draft strategy for the squad looking for the repeat. Looking to be the first repeat winner since the Bunch of Chieftans in 2010-11, the Boyz once again drafted low-to mid-range seeds. Lowest seed is 3-LSU, who struggled down the stretch with on and off the court issues. With 5 teams seed between 4-6, they could easily walk into the weekend with 6 wins on the board. I really like 5-Auburn, but they may have shot their wad (sorry, Father) in the SEC tourney.
No longshots of note. Dangerous.

Who remembers the Flying Nun? 

The Win-Docs. (9-2 ML, 9.4 ASR). Sky high ASR, but look no further than 2016 when they took the crown with a 9.9(!!) with the go big or go home strategery. They may have done it better than the Slayers by being cross bracketed with their two top seeds (1-Gonzaga in the West and 2-Kentucky in the Midwest). Man, it was quiet in that corner this year. I'm guessing they mean business and Smytty is drafting for next year's honors again after last year's top rate performance. They need 7-Wofford to be the real deal to hit the board, I see them plodding along with their fate to be determined in the second weekend. Sleeper: 9-UCF. Always a threat.

The Win-Docs were in sync together all night

The Counselors. (5-1 ML, 7.1 ASR). Complete change in draft strategy with Baki at the wheel (you could almost hear "don't do that!"). A team that usually holds the change until the end of the night, it was strike early and strike often by the barristers. A lotta eggs in teh #4 seed basket though. Three of them if you're counting at home (Kansas, Fla State and Va Tech). Counting on the ACC second tier squads to show their big conference muscles. Snazzy 7-Cincinnati pick with them playing the opening weekend in nearby Columbus (less than 2 hours away). Sleeper: 15- Colgate. Don't throw the book at the legal beagles.

Snappy start by the Counselors

Elder Statesman. (6-1 ML, 8.6 ASR). This team's like clockwork with the middle seed strategy and pray someone goes deep. If they can sneak three wins out of their #3 seeds (Texas Tech, Purdue) they could be a nuisance come the regional finals. Fate likely decided if 5-Wisco or 6-Maryland can pull off a second round upset. Quiet at the far end of the table, probably a Notre Dame thing. Last Calcutta share of the title was in 2011, last outright championship was 2005. Time's running out on the Elders. Sleeper: Yale. Don't count them out.

Caption this...

Bunch of Chieftans. (7-1 ML, 9.1 ASR). They have Duke.

Not much else...

Amigos. (8-1 ML, 8.9 ASR). We bid them adios after day two last year when they set the all-time mark for futility with only one (!) calcutta win. Total "go big or go home" draft with 1-Virginia and 2-Michigan. Breathing easier that UMBC did not qualify for the tourney, but the Cavs are vulnerable and they'll need one of their two 8-seeds (Cuse and/or VCU) to win the 8-9 and upset a 1 seed. Good luck with that. Sleeper: St. Louis. The fat lady loosening her vocal cords early should one of the big dogs fall.

Lone Amigo draft night

The Commish & Assoc. (10-1 ML, 9.1 ASR). A miserable ASR, but some lower seeds (2-Mich St and 3-Houston) and some Cinderella types (12-Murray State, 13-Irvine) are the Commish's only hope for a longshot upset. Fell to post-championship syndrome in 2018, and could be sitting on another 17-year drought. Don't @ me. Sleeper: 14-Old Dominion (they beat Cuse in the Dome y'all). Thanks for coming.

Commissioner Gordon, get it.

That's a wrap on the morning line. Enjoy the tourney and may your March be mad.

Calcutta: The Doctor is IN

 Albany, N.Y. -- The Win-Docs looked to achieve the unthinkable and had their sights on an unprecedented sweep of the first round. With major upset wins by 16-UMBC and 13-University at BUFFALO, only 13-College of Charleston kept them from a record that would likely stand for eternity.

The Docs joined the Bunch (2002) and Catholic Boyz (2012, 2016) in the record books with seven first round victories. They will have their sights set on the next round record of five wins (see sidebar) and possibly a first weekend record of 11 or 12 (currently consulting the Elias Sports Bureau).

Win-Docs strolling into the Round of 32 like...

The major coaching change in the offseason looks like it was a brilliant move by Doc management, with the Smytty-led squad riding their 3-seeds and upsets into a near record-breaking performance.

The Docs saw the Amigos to the Help Desk

Let's take a capsule look at where the other seven squads stand heading into the weekend....

Catholic Boyz. In typical first-round fashion, the Boyz sit in a three-way tie behind the Docs with five wins over the first two days. 1-Villanova in a soft bracket should add some easy wins through to the regional final in Boston to anchor the Boyz championship run. The road does get a little rockier now with mid-level seeds having to win in the Round of 32. But this is the path the Boyz take every year.

The Boyz scoot through to the Round of 32

Bunch of Chieftans. Do you think the Bunch wants the Docs sharing anything with them. The record holding Bunch (six Calcutta titles) still has some dry powder in the keg with 2-Duke and 3-Tennessee on opposite esides of the bracket and Huggy Bear's Mountaineers looking good. Whilst sad to see the Brown Indians bow out in the main draw, it was good for local hoops and the Bunch are still dancing.

PSA from the Bunch to the Docs

Elder Statesmen. The lack of pee breaks on Calcutta Wednesday didn't thwart the drafting skills of one John Fancher. The Statesmen shunning the 8-1 tag placed on it by the Commish (see Rodney Dangerfield) waltzed into the weekend listed officially in the "in the hunt" section of the Calcutta. With 2-North Carolina appearing to be the real deal, the waters get deeper over the weekend and some of the Elders mid level seeds will need to win.

How do you like me now?

Commish & Assoc. 2-seeds alive. Big upset win by 13. All going according to Hoyle. Big 4-5 game with the Elders on Sunday may determine the direction of both squads.

Current Commish battle cry

Tax Slayers. The Monty Python "bring out your dead" gif was all teed up ("I'm not dead yet"), but some late night Friday heroics by 9-Florida State and 11-Syracuse (!) kept the Slayers off life support. Maybe too focused on the TJCA than the RPI on draft night...this team has some major work to do. 1-Kansas is the meal ticket, but they need some rocket fuel and quickly.

Slayers need some rocket fuel.

Counselors.  And then there were two. With the annual kiss of death tag (morning line favorite) squarely placed on them in a tradition unlike any other, the Counselors are down to 3-Michigan and 5-Kentucky and a max of 10 wins. The 538 guys have them at 1.5% chance of Calcutta glory. They'll need to file a few more motions and need the Slayers and Amigos to do some damage to the upper echelon to make anything happen. It's not looking good.

Counselors: We don't want to hear it.

Amigos. It's teed up, boys. You know it's coming. Oh, by the way the futility record is in sight, just sayin. You don't get a picture.

Good luck in the Round of 32!

2018 Calcutta Ready to Rock, Morning Line Set

Amherst, N.Y. -- The 2018 Calcutta, unofficially the 19th year of the annual auction, kicked off in pursuit of the coveted yellow jacket (that was mysteriously absent this evening). The festivities moved along all night with nary a controversy or chippy conversation. The ole' Calcutta has mellowed as we all get another year older and can't hear or see as well as we used to.

The 17 year drought (sound familiar) ended last year with the Commish engraving his name on the Chalise (sic) for the first time. The question of back-to-back came up during the evening and yes, indeed the Win-Docs captured titles in their glory years in 2007 and 2008. The Bunch did it twice, albeit sharing titles in 2001-02 and 2010-11. Good times.

So let's get right to it and the morning line for 2018 in a wide-open tournament with no team looking like it's going to waltz through this field. Over the past five years Average Seed Ratings (ASR) for the Calcutta champ has been 9.6 (Commish - 2017), 9.9 (Win-Docs - 2016), 7.3 (Tax Men - 2015) and 8.5 (Bunch - 2014, record 16 wins).

This year's lowest ASR belongs to the Catholic Boyz (7.1 ASR) and the highest went to the Amigos (a gaudy 10.0). Looking back to 2006, when the ASR emerged as a key metric in the Calcutta, no 10+ team has captured the Calcutta, only the Tax Men have hit the board with a double digit ASR.

So who's our morning line favorite?

The Counselors (3-1, ASR 7.5). The legal beagles always look strong on draft night. Of course an upset or two could knock them right out of the competition. B1G tournament champ 3-Michigan and SEC tourney champ 5-Kentucky will try and rule the left side of the bracket for the dynamic duo. They could easily come out of the first round with six wins (five lower seeds) and play catch-me-if-you-can with the rest of the group.  Sleeper: 12-South Dakota State. Steal: 7-Arkansas for $7.

The Counselors are the morning line favorite - got that!

Bunch of Chieftans (4-1, ASR 8.0). A perfect score on the ASR is 8.0 and the Chief ran a very efficient and no-nonsense draft. High off the big 11-Bonas win on Tuesday night to get into the main draw, the Chief dusted off his drafting skills moth-balled for several years and he came to play. Solid selections in each region, 2-Duke (Midwest), 3-Tennessee (South), 4-West Virginia (East) and 6-Houston (West) should put him right in the mix heading into the weekend. Looking for a record extending seventh Calcutta title. Sleeper: 11-Loyola (Chicago). Steal: 6-Houston for $9.

Let's Go Chief-tans!

Tax Slayers (5-1, ASR 9.5). Don't let that high ASR fool you. Two teams that could run the table on both sides of the bracket will steer this ship to hit the board. 1-Kansas and 4-Arizona anchor the Slayers. They added some solid higher seeds in 9-Florida State and 10-Texas that could add some valuable W's on their ledger. Sleeper: 10-Texas. Steal: 9-Florida State for $5.

The TaxSlayers were ferocious bidders all night long

Catholic Boyz (6-1, ASR 7.1). The good news is the low ASR. The bad news is the low ASR. Five 7 and 8-seeds is a dangerous mix. The 8-9 games look like toss-ups and the 7 seeds get the 2 seeds over the weekend. First round damage (which is historically the Catholic Boyz specialty) is the answer to Calcutta glory. 1-Villanova has a soft bracket and should coast to three easy wins before having to face their first real challenge. This team could be dangerous. Or flame out early. Sleeper: 8-Seton Hall. Steal: 7-URI for $7.

Catholic Boyz are coming in hot!

Win-Doctors (7-1, ASR 8.1). The docs will look to tie the Chieftans with a career sixth championship in this year's edition. With Artie being benched after his record tying two-win Calcutta in 2017 for Smytty, the Docs will look to regain its form. Lot of pundits like 3-Michigan State to win it all and they'll need as much to claim Calcutta fame in '18. Last year's runner-up 4-Gonzaga will be the stud in the West, and they'll need big East Region performances by 3-Texas Tech and 6-Florida to be a factor. It's not out of the realm of possibility and they're probably the longshot play of the day. Sleeper: 13-College of Charleston. Steal: 3-Texas Tech for $16.

Smytty draft moves

Elder Statesmen (8-1, ASR 8.8). After thwarting off a seat controversy when the Counselors tried to move on the Elders long time spot, it was all business for the Elders. A higher than normal ASR compared to historical numbers could've been due to the absence of Fanch's second chair or the lack of bathroom breaks. 2-UNC will have to carry the day for them to have a chance as 4-Auburn looks to be the weakest of the four seeds. They'll need some higher seeded wins to be a factor. Sleeper: 8-Missouri. Steal: None.

Try and sit in my seat next year, fools!

Amigos (9-1, ASR 10.0). You already heard the stats surrounding a double digit ASR. After corralling two top seeds (on the same side of the bracket, nonetheless), the Amigos went quiet for about an hour (has to be a record). Go big or go home was the mantra for the Amigos on Wednesday night with 1-Virginia and 1-Xavier secured early on. Will need 4-Wichita State to win a couple games and the ones to run the table to win it all (that's the magic number of 13 wins). Sleeper: 14-Bucknell. Steal: None.

After landing the top seeds, it was siesta time for the Amigos.

Commish & Assoc (10-1, ASR 9.0). It was a rough night for the defending champ, too much hesitation and wanted sleepers slipping through his grasp all night. A couple 2-seeds in Purdue and Cincinnati will have to work both sides of the bracket for a chance to repeat. 5-Clemson and 10-seeds Oklahoma and Providence will need to steal wins to have a shot. Sleeper: 10-Providence. Steal: None.

Not that yellow jacket!

Good luck to all, first report on Friday night after the first round. The teams are posted and the results  will be updated nightly located in the upper right hand corner of the blog.

2017 Calcutta Kicks off with a Bang

Amherst, N.Y. - As the snow from an angry Stella dumped on the Western New York region, there was plenty of twists and turns in a lightning-fast round of auction bidding at Calcutta headquarters Tuesday night in Amherst. The night kicked off with a celebration of the Yellow Jacket donned by the Win-Doctors for winning the 2016 title. The Tax Men's Jon Pellish, the 2015 champion, did the honors in passing the torch to the Win-Doctors, who won their fifth Yellow Jacket in the storied history of the Calcutta. Last year's Calcutta also featured a record-tying first round by the Catholic Boyz, tying their own record of 7 wins (2012) and of the Bunch (2002).

After the ceremony, the bidding started hot and heavy with some No. 1 seeds being thrown to the wolves right off the bat. Let's get right to business and the setting of the 2017 morning line....

The Counselors will ride their low seeds early on.

The morning line favorite this year goes to The Counselors (3-1), in one of the more competitive Calcuttas in recent years. The legal beagles quietly landed two #3 and #4 seeds, that if played out correctly gives them 8 wins out of the box with two squads. Add wins by 6-Cincinnati and 8-Wisconsin in the first round and they will have a solid opening weekend start if form holds. As we all know, the NCAA tournament isn't always formful.  But with the lowest ASR (7.3) in the Calcutta, the 2017 Calcutta goes through the court room.

Scotty brought his secret weapon and he was gunning all night long.

The Amigos (4-1) garner the second favorite role with some very good teams playing good ball at the right time. Pac-10 tourney champ 2-Arizona could get through a fairly weak West Region and solid mid-seeds 5-Iowa State and 6-SMU could do some early damage. With an ASR of 7.8, they are poised to win some early and hang late with the Wildcats. Dangerous. Sleeper Pick: Seton Hall.

Freddie was working the table early in the Calcutta.

The Catholic Boyz (5-1) are co-third favorite with perennial contender The Bunch of Chieftans (5-1) getting anointed with the same odds. The Boyz went right to work early in the 'Cutta grabbing big-time contender 1-North Carolina. Other solid selections of 5-Virginia (dangerous defensive ball club), underseeded 10-Wichita State and 11-Xavier. If they nail a couple upsets, look out for the boys in cloth.

It was go big or go home for the Bunch.

The Chieftans went full mojo top-seeds, with 1-Nova and 1-Kansas in opposite brackets. A strategy that can be feast or famine and requires a low seed or two to spring an upset to Make it happen. That's why the morning line is middle of the road, because this one could be fabulous or roadkill. I really like 11-Rhode Island to spring the upset, but with four seeds over 13, this team will lean heavily on its big name talent. If 13-Winthrop wins a game, it will be the steal of the Calcutta.

The Elders (6-1) were true to form, hoarding dollars and looking for value. The only slip up was overpaying for 5-Notre Dame, but a relentless Calcutta group wouldn't let them off the hook driving up the Irish's price. They could make a run, but a big Buffalo matchup with West Virginia looms. It's not surprising they sit with the second-lowest ASR with 7.6, only bested by the morning line favorites. Lowest seeds are 2-Louisville and 4-Florida so will need the Irish, Maryland and Arkansas to win games to stay in the hunt. Looking for their first title since 2011 and sole championship since 2005.

The Slayers are all in on the PAC-10 says Jon "Malkovich" Pellish

The Tax Slayers (yeah, I'm changing their name, we haven't had a good name change in a few years) come in at 7-1 on the morning line with a heavy 8.6 ASR. They love the PAC-10 with 3-seeds UCLA and Oregon on the right side of the bracket. Super guard play by 4-Purdue and solid high seeds that could sneak a game in 9-Vanderbilt and 10-VCU in a soft West region could put the Slayers on the map. Sleeper Pick: 9-Vandy

Here we go again.

The Bills drought is 17 years, the Commish's drought is 17 years. Do I need to go on? Shifting Calcutta duties to stellar teammate and associate, was the game plan. Similar to the Bunch, the Commish & Associate (10-1) went big with 1-Gonzaga and 2-Kentucky. Will need help from Old Rocky Top with 13-ETSU and 12-MTSU  and a win or two from 7-South Carolina to make any noise. A horrid ASR of 9.6 could spell doom for the Commish and year 18 of the drought.

That moment Geno made you the longshot....

The defending champion Win-Docs (12-1) are your longshot play of the day for this year's Calcutta. An ASR of 9.5, only better than the lowly Commish. Don't count them out for having the national champion (the Docs have had an amazing six of the last nine National Champs on their roster. So go to the bank with 2-Duke. Will need 7-seeds Dayton and St. Mary's to win a game and they're definitely counting on the 5-12 upset, with three 12 seeds (UNCW, Nevada and Princeton).  Still have to be respected.  Looking to tie the Bunch with a sixth title.

Good luck to all, first report on Friday night after the first round. The teams are posted and the results  will be updated nightly located in the upper right hand corner of the blog.

2016 Calcutta Kicks Off with Bunch as Morning Line Favorite

JP accepts (and it fits) the Yellow Jacket from
2014 champ SRB (Bunch)

AMHERST, N.Y. -- It’s hard to believe we’ve been at this since 1999, but the 18th annual Calcutta got off to a great start with the annual donning of the Yellow Jacket by the 2015 winner the Tax Men, presented by the 2014 winner (Bunch).  A toast to our lost Amigo and dedication of the 2016 edition of the William A. Karin Memorial Calcutta got us off on the right foot and away we went.

RIP Amigo (circa 2013)

When a team has won or shared a piece of a third of the total Calcuttas since inception, it’s not too difficult to make them the morning line favorite.  The Bunch of Chieftans (3-1) had a solid draft, coming right out of the gate and grabbing top seeded 1-Kansas. With an Average Seed Rating (ASR) of 7.3, it seems to be right in the Chief’s wheelhouse. 3-West Virginia is a dangerous team and if the Chieftans can squeak a win or two our of mid-seeds Oregon State, Texas Tech or 10-seeds VCU or Pitt, it could be clear sailing into the Final Four.  Sleeper pick: 10-VCU.

The Bunch of Chieftans studied hard for this Calcutta.

The Counselors (7-2) went into “Moneyball” mode early and grabbed possibly the lowest ASR of all time with a 6.6. Taking a page out of the Elders ledger, they sat patiently and gathered five teams with seeds between 3-6, and their highest seed is 12-Yale, who is basically playing a home game in Providence. Billy Beane was in the house and will need wins through the Sweet Sixteen to survive.  On the flip-side, their lowest seed is 3-Miami, who was the third best team in the ACC and will have to get through Villanova and Kansas in the East. Only one team disagreement (“I don’t endorse this selection”) bodes well for the legal beagles.  Sleeper Pick: 9-Providence.

The Counselors all night long

The defending champs, the Tax Men (4-1) are certainly part of the equation, coming right in on a perfect 8.0 on the ASR scale. They’ll ride the coattails of top-seeded 1-North Carolina and will need 3-Utah and 4-California to make some noise in order to advance deep into the Calcutta. Both 7-seeds (Dayton and Iowa) come into the tourney struggling, but can easily turn things around to where they dominated earlier in the year. Sleeper Pick – 7-Iowa.

Where is that Chiampa fellah?

The Elder Statesmen (5-1) uncharacteristically went deep in a few bids tonight and it showed in their ASR rating of 7.9, which is high for this squad.  They’ll need some upsets to make noise, but 3-Texas A&M, 5-Maryland and 5-Purdue are all playing good basketball.  The 4-5’s will be likely be facing a top seed in the sweet sixteen which could put the Elders behind the eight-ball if they don’t get rolling during the opening weekend.  The two 8-9 games they are involved with in the first round loom large. Sleeper Pick – 9-UConn.

We hosed those young bucks, again Fanch!

Bid big, bid early was the motto for the Amigos (7-1) have three solid teams that could advance deep into the tourney. With a god-awful ASR of 10.1, they’ll need 1-Virginia, 4-Kentucky and 4-Duke to keep on keeping on in order to sniff a check in this year’s Calcutta.  An upset win by Temple could be the difference if this squad’s top three come through.  Sleeper Pick – 10-Temple.

Come at me, bro.

They didn’t get Villanova, but the Catholic Boyz (8-1) upheld tradition and team name by taking 9-St. Joe’s, 11-Gonzaga and 2-Xavier.  They’ll need some upsets and a strong performance from the Musketeers to be a contender after the opening weekend. Two big 8-9 games will determine how competitive this team will be.  Looking to end a 10-year slide since their last title in 2006, the Boyz’ top seeds are in the same East Region, which could be costly down the road.  Sleeper Pick – 9-St. Joe’s.

We got 3 Catholic teams!!!

If history is any indicator, 1-Oregon or 2-Villanova will be your 2016 NCAA champs. The Win Docs (10-1) have nailed five of the last eight champions in the Calcutta and six overall. With five of their teams with seeds of 12 or higher, they need 6-Texas to get past in-state rival A&M, and their big two to not stumble to be around in April.  Sleeper Pick – 12- Arkansas Little Rock.

You're telling me I got a shot?

Trailing the field is the Commish (15-1), the lone squad who has never drank from the Chalise (sic) in the 18-year history.  The Commish definitely went with the “go big or go home” mantra spending big cash on 2-seeds Michigan State and Oklahoma. A couple stolen first-round wins by Syracuse and USC and maybe, just maybe, the long shot will pay off. Doubtful, though.  Sleeper Pick – 13-UNC-Wilmington.

Update after the first round. Results can be found in the upper right hand margin of the blog.

Good luck to all.