Scoring Method Poll

Prognosticators across the wide world have often complained about the 'Ganza scoring system. Most often these complaints come soon after a particular prognosticator has come very close to winning the Ostertag Plaque, but has lost.

Over the years, the Brass has considered changing our system. We have been open minded about the prospect but for the fact that we have many years of data and statistics, and if we changed the scoring method we were unsure of how to reflect that in our statistics.

But this year, to celebrate our 25th Anniversary, the Brass are seriously considering changing things up a bit. Not changing our patented "'Ganza Style" system, where one is awarded points based on correctly predicting a team's finish, mind you -- that would be sacrilege. Rather, we are contemplating changing the VALUE of each round's points. Various suggestions have been received over the years, most recently by veteran Prognosticator Dan Ginsburg last year. Dan suggested we change the point values to equalize the value of points available throughout the 'Ganza, rather than having point totals weighted toward the first rounds. This makes sense to us, and we offer the following change for your consideration.

CURRENTLY the point system is as follows:

First Round: 32 teams x 1 point = 32 points
Second Round: 16 teams x 2 points = 32 points

Third Round: 8 teams x 3 points = 24 points
Fourth Round: 4 teams x 4 points = 16 points

Final Four Round: 2 teams x 5 points = 10 points
Runner up: 1 team x 6 points = 6 points
Champion: 1 team x 7 points = 7 points

As you can see, our current system is heavily weighted toward the beginning rounds, with almost 70 percent of the total points available awarded in the first three rounds. This makes it difficult to gain ground, even when a prognosticator correctly picks teams in the later rounds, which by most accounts is a more difficult thing to do.

Here is our proposed NEW SCORING SYSTEM, which you can vote on at the right hand side of this blog page:

First Round: 32 teams x 1 point = 32 points
Second Round: 16 teams x 2 points = 32 points

Third Round: 8 teams x 4 points = 32 points
Fourth Round: 4 teams x 8 points = 32 points

Final Four Round: 2 teams x 12 points = 24 points
Runner-up: 1 team x 16 points = 16 points
Champion: 1 team x 24 points = 24 points

This more equalized system awards 64 points for each weekend of tournament play, and allows for prognosticators who do well in the final four to gain more ground on the field. And prognosticating the final four is what the 'Ganza is all about.

So give this some thought and vote on the right. The Brass has decided that there will be only two options in this poll: 1. Keep it the way it is, or 2. Change the method noted above.

A final word regarding the historical stats. The prognosticator favorites -- "wimp factor" and "power rating" will remain unchanged, since the points scored do not affect them. Others, such as averages, records, etc., will be "archived" for the first 25 years of 'Ganza play, and new records will be established based on the new scoring method.

The poll at right will remain open until midnight of February 15, 2009, to give the Deputy Pooh-Bah adequate time to change the scoring software if a change is enacted.

Finally, to maintain the integrity of the 'Ganza (forget about all that stuff about selling the 2008 Ostertag Plaque on E-Bay), we ask that each prognosticator vote only one time. This isn't Chicago politics, after all!

Getting Ramped Up

I have been watching lots of college hoops, taking notes and preparing my prognosticating skillz for the 2010 Ganza. In fact, it's our 25th year. That's right, 25 years! We here at Ganza HQ are very giddy. Pooh bah is so excited he forgot the last edition of the Ganza Gazette last year. The Deputy is so excited he forgot.

Anyway, get your pens, pretzel sticks and pals, it's getting close to Ganza-mania!

Ah, March.

Director

Pooh-Bah Hasn't Forgotten You

Dearest 'Ganza Prognosticators,

Just a quick note to say that the 2010 'Ganza will be starting up very soon, in spite of the rather auspicious way that we faded out at the end of the 2009 'Ganza. My apologies to 2009 Champion Dustin Ketterling and the rest of our faithful prognosticators.

We will make some minor changes to the 'Ganza in the way information is promulgated this year, most notable will be the increased role of this blog -- details will be forthcoming in the next issue of the 'Ganza Gazette.

On behalf of the 'Ganza Brass, we hope to have you join us in the 2010 'Ganza as we celebrate our 25th ANNIVERSARY!!!

We have a Winner!

Congratulations to Dustin Kettlerling of North Dakota, who scored a record 89 points in the 2009 'Ganza and will soon be hoisting one of these!

This could be you someday

Head to the 'Ganza Shopping Boutique, with link located at right, and you too could be in a picture like this one soon!

Final Four

Today is the day when we will find out who is playing for the championship. That's right, 4 teams remain and all the world is on the edge of their seat wondering who will win? I don't know about you, but I am so nervous and excited and a bit shaky. Who will do it, who will hoist the biggest reward in college basketball?

I hope you all realize I am talking about the Ganza. What did you think I was talking about, the National Champion team? Whatever, it's all about the Ganza!

FINAL FOUR, 'GANZA STYLE

While most people who follow college basketball are all a twitter these days about North Carolina, Villanova, Michigan State, and U Conn, the REAL basketball fans are more concerned with the ONE TRUE FINAL FOUR:



Dustin Ketterling, North Dakota



Robert Wyatt, Arizona



Stanley Weiser, Minnesota



Lee Strub, Minnesota



These four talented prognosticators are vying for one of the most desirable pieces of pressboard known to man, the Coveted Ostertag Plaque!


Read more about in the latest issue of the critically acclaimed 'Ganza Gazette, which is available on the 'Ganza Gazette link to the right.

Final Four is set, Ostertag Plaque in the Balance

What an exciting final four this will be. The absolute BEST thing about the 2009 Final Four is that for the first time in I don't know when, I will best my fellow Brassmates in the standings, no matter what the outcome!

:P

That little doo-hickey above is me sticking out my toungue at Dan and Bill.

Anyway, North Carolina, Michigan St, Villanova, and Connecticut should provide us many thrills next weekend.

We will do our best to get the next issue of the Gazette out this Friday, along with the popular final four reference, the Scoring Possibilities Matrix!

Michigan St. 64, Louisville, 52

See picture below to see what Pooh-Bah looks like as he loses his third final four team. And no, Pooh-Bah doesn't look like a star player from NDSU or a bunch of balloons.

Pooh is Blue

This is what somebody looks like after they lose two of their final four teams in a span of five minutes.