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!

 

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!

 

Elders increase lead through Round Two

Elders strut to lead in 24 Calcutta

AMHERST -- The Elders, buoyed by their record-tying seven first round wins, have opened up a 3-win margin over a trio of challengers in the 2024 edition of the Buffalo Calcutta.

Utilizing the early-bird strategy of mid-round selections to perfection, the seniors dined and dashed through the first two rounds like Fred Astaire in Shall We Dance in 1937 (only the Elders will remember this flick).

With two 4-seeds and a five paving the way, the waters get deeper in the Sweet Sixteen as all three squads will face a top seed in the Molly Ringwald round.

Amigos in striking distance

The Amigos sit tied in second with the Counselors and Chieftans, three back of the old guys but with two 3-seeeds (Iowa State and Tennessee) and an 11 in NC State hoping their championship hopes are alive. They'll go into the Sweet Sixteen favored in two of the three matchups to try and make up some ground on the Elders. Draft strategy aside, no one thought the boys South of the Border (tough Dos a Cero loss last night) would be contending at this spot. Good work so far.

Counselors object to thoughts of their demise

The barristers had a steady weekend feast of ACC magic as they kept themselves closer to the leaders with the 6-Clemson upset of 3-Baylor, but the Grizzlies run was ended by the Amigos to square things off for the second-place tie. They still have some firepower with top seed UNC and the Tigers look like they're on a heater, so watch out for a late motion by the Counselors in the Sixteen.

"That's what's up" ~Brad Hall, Head Chef (not a typo)

The Bunch of Chieftans always make the Calcutta just a little more interesting. Top dog 1-Houston survived an upset bid by the Commish & Associate's Aggies and can put a nail in their coffin with a Gonzaga win over Purdue in the Sweet Sixteen. They go head-to-head with the Elders in the other matchuup which is HUGE. It's not exactly Notre Dame-Miami in football, but Houston-Duke has a bit of an edge to it and the Chiefs have the marker on this one. The race could tighten up quickly and the natives are ready for the task.

Team Commish hangin' round

Team Commish is hanging around in a fifth-place tie with the Slayers with Final Four hopes for their remaining squads. Max wins are 12 with a title matchup (odds 1 billion to 1) between opposite-bracketed Purdue and Illinois (how's that for draft strategy). A damaging loss by a game A&M squad who couldn't propel the regulation buzzer beater into an OT win....will likely end up being a costly loss. Purdue looking good, but it only gets tougher here on out.

There is no gambling at Bushwood, sir

The defending champs are wondering what it takes to get a mention in the morning blog and are using the "disrespect" card with some locker room bulletin board material after Saturday's omission. The Slayers, too, will ride two horses into the Sweet Sixteen albeit on the same side of the ledger, so max wins top out at 11.

They have the lowest ASR remaining with a 1-UConn and 2-Arizona and can start clearing the way with wins over the Elders and Counselors in their Sweet Sixteen matchups. They needed a Grand Canyon upset to boost their hopes, but they can still catch a piece and possibly win it all with some luck.

Can Bon Jovi save the Boyz?

They're not exactly half way there, as the Boyz can only max out with 10 wins with another same-side bracket issue (SSBI). The Big East commanded respect and the Catholic Boyz gave it to them, but unfortunately, the marbles-basket theory proved to be their downfall. Praying for a miracle at this point.

It was nice while it lasted....

From morning line favorites to Sayonara. It's been real, Win-Docs, hope you enjoyed the pizza.  The Win-Docs came into the Calcutta with visions of past glory only to get completely obliterated and without a win after opening day. Calling hours will be announced soon.

On to the Sweet Sixteen y'all.

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!

 

Final Four Report: Going down to the wire in Calcutta

Amherst, N.Y. (UPI) -- Trying to figure out this year's Calcutta has been tougher than a one-eared alley cat.

With four teams advancing to the Final Four, three sit one spot behind the idling Tax Slayers and one sits two back, all capable of having an engraving ceremony the Calcutta Chalise.

Incredible games with three of the four Elite Eight games going down to the wire and the fourth had a 3-ball that could have tightened up the Zags game. The only top seed to advance is the Amigos' Virginia, who had to be rooting hard for the Dukies who fell hard to Sparty in the waning moments.

Let's look at the capsules and probables as we head to the Twin Cities for the Final Four.

Tax Slayers (9 points). Must be rooting hard for the Cavs at this point and the 3-way tie to claim a slice of the title. Sweeps by any of the other three teams puts them in a tie for second, but the weekend worked out pretty well for the Slayers, who watched the weekend at home.

Tap Tap Tap....

Win-Docs (8 points). Biggest disappointment of the weekend, losing a 1-Gonzaga and 2-Kentucky both favored and wins would've slipped them past the Slayers and with two teams in the Final Four with 10 wins. Welp. There's always next year.

Woulda coulda shoulda (emphasis on shoulda)

Elder Statesman (8 points). Heartbreaker when Virginia hit the buzzer beater to send it into overtime and kept the Elders from sending two teams to Minny. They'll take the red hot 3-Texas Tech squad into the Final Four and a big matchup with the Commish and Sparty to see who will cash the bigger check. Great drafting by the Elders who once again surprise with a late run.

Elders dancing into the Final Four

Catholic Boyz (8 points). War Eagle muther-effers. They just took down Kansas, North Carolina and Kentucky in succession. That's some blue blood damage right there. Prayers answered and two wins away from an outright title. Divine intervention helps sometimes.

High Five!

The Commish (8 points). Down goes Duke. Down goes Duke. This was so good on so many levels. Now to get focused to make a run to a second title in three years. It's all on a focused veteran Sparty squad, but now they face defensive lockdown Tech in what should be a terrific game. Buckle your seatbelts for this Calcutta conclusion.

Two more.....

Amigos (7 points). Revived by a terrific play at the end of regulation, you know we were humming that tune, but these Amigos said Hola instead. The Hoos showed they mean business and will be favored in the national semifinal and the only representative left from the ACC. Two wins and they take the top dollar honors.

Who said we were dead?

The Bunch (6 points).

Never gets old.

Here's a look at the eight probable combinations for next weekend's games....

Virginia over Texas Tech:
1 - Amigos $800
1 - Slayers $600
1 - Elders $600

Virginia over Michigan State:
1 - Amigos $800
1 - Slayers $600
1 - Commish $600

Auburn over Texas Tech: 
1 - Catholic Boyz $1,200
2 - Elders $400
2 - Slayers $400

Auburn over Michigan State:
1 - Catholic Boyz $1,200
2 - Commish $400
2 - Slayers $400

Texas Tech over Virginia:
1 - Elders $1,200
2 - Slayers $500
3 - Commish, Boyz, Win-Docs, Amigos $75

Texas Tech over Auburn:
1 - Elders $1,200
2 - Catholic Boyz $400
2 - Slayers $400

Michigan State over Virginia:
1 - Commish $1,200
2 - Slayers $500
3 - Elders, Boyz, Win-Docs, Amigos $75

Michigan State over Auburn:
1 - Commish $1,200
2 - Catholic Boyz $400
2 - Slayers $400

Lots of different combos, but if you take care of business next Saturday you cash. Good luck to all.

Calcutta: Catholic Boyz complete comeback in heavenly fashion

Amherst, NY -- Well it was holy week, after all.

Instead of Sister Jean and the Bunch celebrating an outright title and record seventh (two outright, five shared), they'll have to share it with the Catholic Boyz and Win-Docs. It was the first three-way tie since 2011 when the Boyz and Bunch tied the Elders, with exactly the same 11-point total. The Bunch sit up at night replaying the Houston debacle thinking what might have been.

The Boyz rode the Big Ragu all the way to the title, with hot-shooting Nova destroying the competition throughout winning every game by double-digit totals. The persistence of the Boyz down the stretch to keep the train rolling a share of their fourth title (one outright).

The Win-Docs had to look idly on throughout the Final Four after a hot start, but picked up a sixth title (four outright, two shared) and a piece of the cherished Chalise engraving. Syracuse basically kept them from the title with the Michigan State upset.

The Counselors, shackled with the morning line favorite title, made a keen run to the finals that ended with Coach Beilein's second loss in a championship game. The WNY hex continues.

The Catholic Boyz were all about a three-way (Cincinnati chili reference)

It was a Calcutta to remember, with the Win-Docs grabbing a piece of the record books with seven first-round wins. The Amigos also etched their name in the books for futility, with a record one first round win and overall tournament total. X marks the spot.

See ya next year

Congrats to the winners.

Calcutta: Final Four Report

Amherst, N.Y. -- And then there were four.

As in, Calcutta teams holding on for a chance at the coveted Chalise (sic). The Win-Doctors are gone, but not forgotten, sitting tied for the top spot with the Bunch and needing Michigan to run the table. They both are assured of cashing, now it's a matter of playing for history, record books and bragging rights.

The Docs lead has evaporated

The national semifinal between top seeds Villanova and Kansas will be a knockout game for the Slayers and Boyz, the winner capturing at least third and the loser goes home empty.

Catholic Boyz off life support and in the picture

The Bunch's potential clinching win was Slayed in the Elite Eight

It's rare that four teams still have a shot at the title and it's possible that a three-way tie for the title will occur for only the second time in the 18-year history of the Calcutta (2011).

Let's take a look at the potential national championship scenarios:

Kansas beats Michigan:
Tax Slayers  $800
Win-Docs    $600
Bunch          $600
(Three way tie for title)

Kansas beats Loyola:
Bunch     $1,000
Slayers      $600
Win-Docs $400
(Bunch wins title)

Villanova beats Michigan:
Catholic Boyz  $800
Win-Docs        $600
Bunch              $600
(Three way tie for title)

Villanova beats Loyola:
Bunch     $1,000
Boyz         $600
Win-Docs $400
(Bunch wins title)

Michigan beats Kansas:
Win-Docs $750
Bunch $750
Slayers $300
Counselors $200
(Win-Docs, Bunch share title)

Michigan beats Villanova:
Win-Docs $750
Bunch $750
Boyz $300
Counselors $200
(Win-Docs, Bunch share title)

Loyola beats Kansas:
Bunch $1,200
Win-Docs $500
Slayers $300
(Bunch wins title outright)

Loyola beats Nova:
Bunch $1,200
Win-Docs $500
Boyz   $300
(Bunch wins title outright)

The Bunch is looking to be Chief of the Calcutta with a little divine intervention

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.

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!

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!