History!

There it is, all number 1's in the final four. Davidson almost wore the slippers, but Kansas was a little too much.

I stand corrected, the Deputy pointed out that he is doing reasonably well, in fact, he is doing much better than I. Dep, my Director hat is off to you. Good job.

We have a week to argue about who will get in the championship, it should be a very entertaining final 4. Enjoy the Ganza and be ready for a special update from the Pooh.

The NEW Wildcats. The Longhorns

Wow, I stand corrected, Mr. Curry went OFF on Wisco and little Davidson, with an enrollment of 1700, rolls into the elite 8...and the Ganza is on it!

The Longhorns from Texas polished off the overrated Cardinal from Stanford. So much for the strength of the Pac-10. UCLA is the lone survivor and if they make it to the Final, Carolina will be waiting. All you Tar Heel fans holler at me!

If you haven't noticed, the Brass is once again being held up by the Director and his so-so picks. The Pooh-bah and the dandy Deputy are hanging out in the lower part of the pack. We look at it this way, we want to be all things to all prognosticators. We are also in a very precarious position, if one of us would happen to hoist the Ostertag, some might cry foul. So, we pick poorly and allow you, yes you, our wonderful prognosticators, to fight for the most wonderful award on the web. The beloved Ostertag!

So, on we go into the final four!!!

X marks the spot

Xavier is in the Elite 8! Although they are a number 3, it is bit of a surprise. So, all of you prognosticators who picked the Muskateers, pat yourselves on the back. It looks like Tennessee is in some trouble...hang on Ganza fans, this is getting good.

Crushed

Wow, Carolina put the h-u-r-t on Wazzu. Ouch. Anyone seriously want to make an argument against the Heels winning it all? Comments please.

A very funky sweet 16

Well, well, here we are at the Sweet 16. A few major surprises; Davidson, 'Nova, Western Kentucky, and West Virgina...and maybe a bit of s surprise, all the number 1's are still in.

We are getting closer to crowning a new Ostertag hoister. Our current leader, Kingsley Bailey, a neighbor from beautiful British Columbia, will have his name on the leader board through Wednesday. With Duke being his champ, it doesn't look like Mr. Bailey will be there very long. Jake Kubik, from the Pooh-bah's favorite football state of Nebraska, is right there sharing the lead with Kingsley. However, his Davidson pick to win it all could come crumbling down, as Mr. Flowers from Wisconsin is a defensive specialist and will most likely put the clamp on Mr. Curry from Davidson.

Ahh, but stranger things have happened in the Ganza...

This just in...

After the completion of today's games, it would seem that Deputy Pooh's own kin is leading the Ganza. In fact, the top 3 in the Ganza standings all hail from North Dakota. They can sure pick'em out there in the upper Midwest. Tomorrow will be interesting as the leader board will shuffle yet again.

UCLA was less than stellar against those tenacious Aggies, yet they did what they had to do to win it. There were many outstanding games today, the tournament is proving to be a classic. And once again, the Ganza is right there in the middle of it all. Hey, have any of you helped choose a color for the Ganza T-shirt yet? We need your opinion.

Try to get some sleep and get ready to check back in tomorrow. Have a Happy Easter.

ummmm2

Texas A&M 29 - UCLA 26 at the half.

Any of you with UCLA winning it all a bit nervous?

Aches for Pooh

I am very happy to report that I am writing this in good health. Pooh survived several hours on the slopes. Upon return I needed a few advil to soothe my aching muscles. Then I happened to look at the 'Ganza standings, and I needed a few more advil.

Someday I will finish in the top of the standings...someday I will make Bill and Dan know what it feels to be me looking up at the rest of the Brass...someday I will hoist the coveted Ostertag Plaque. But in the immortal words of Aragorn son of Arathorn prior to the battle at the Black Gate in The Return of the King..."It is not this day."

I have been so busy carving up the slopes, that I haven't been able to watch any games.... Just as well.

Happy Easter and good luck as the Sweet 16 gets finalized!

whew.

Thank you Brook Lopez.

ummmm

Stanford is trying to mess alot of us up!!

Washington State is in the Sweet 16!

Kansas is not impressing anyone right now, they are in a battle with UNLV.

ummm, March.

Duke is bye bye

Well, Duke is gone.

Some of you picked Duke because you are a "heart fan," or you are a prognosticator that has no clue what you are doing and you picked Duke because, they are...well...Duke, Now your bracket is in peril.

Just a reminder, don't ever pick a team because they are "your" team. I learn that lesson every year; and don't pick a team because they are a team you are familiar with, like Duke. For instance, who is Siena? I don't know. I picked them because I am a semi-skilled prognosticator that always finishes in the middle of the pack ahead of my fellow Brass; the Pooh-bah and the Deputy.

You know what, don't listen to me, I have no idea what I am doing.

Go get another plate of nachos and an ice cold beverage and enjoy more games. Isn't the Ganza just the best online prognosticating site on the web? (shameless plug)

Anyway, I am waiting for the pooh blahg to light up with confident prognosticators.

Wahooo, it is madness today

I love Siena! Big upsets today. Keep checking ganza.com for standings and other current information. What was your biggest bracket buster today?

Observations from 11,000 feet

Actually as I write this I'm only at about 7,500 feet, here at the resort in Big Sky MT. I will be approaching the lofty elevation tomorrow as I "shred the corduroy" (that's ski-dude speak for skiing). Big Sky is the official ski resort of the 'Ganza, except that they don't know that yet and they aren't paying us anything for me to say that.

Anyway, it seems we are well on our way to another exciting 'Ganza. There are some high scores being posted, and with over 300 prognosticators, we could see near record scores again this year. Too bad mine won't be among them.

I officially hate the following teams: Arizona, Baylor, U Conn, Kentucky, Drake, Temple, and Kent State. I may add others to the list as the days progress.

Happy Prognosticating! Good luck.

The Director Jr?

Well, it would seem that the younger director is leading the pack at this point. In an interview with the Director Sr, the Director Jr had this to say, "Your job isn't very secure is it?" I received a voice mail from the skiing Pooh-bah, who said, "Your job isn't very secure is it?" Whatever.

Anyway, raise your hand if you are tired of picking Arizona to make it out of the 1st round? Sheesh.

I'm in a Kent State of mind

Well, UNLV just beat the puddin out of Kent State. I listened to all the hype about Kent State possibly making it to the Sweet 16. Way to go Dickie V, thanks a ton for the "advice." Oh well, I have Kansas moving on in the Midwest bracket anyway. That's right, a number 1! Deal with it.

Nothing major to report

Well, it's been a pretty ordinary day at the Ganza office. The Pooh-bah just blew open my door and said, "I'm going skiing!" Much to the surprise, yet pleasantly, of the Deputy and myself. We are going to P-a-r-t-a-y.

Anyway, I have been getting some grief about picking number ones all the way to the Final Four. I know, it has never been done, but this will be the first year. I know it, I just know it. At least I am already ahead of the Pooh-bah, so there.

I just submitted my picks...

I am feeling pretty good, I submitted my picks and am now just going to sit back and think of witty answers to the Pooh-bah's questions while being interviewed for the Ganza Champ article, all the while hoisting the coveted Ostertag.

Enough about me, how are you all feeling about your picks? The Pooh-bah reported early that we already had our 100 guests submit their brackets. Let me say, welcome to all of you new prognosticators. The ganza will limit the number of hours you sleep, it will put your job in jeopardy. You will be at the ganza site looking for updates to your wimp factor, your TPP, and your power rating. Go easy on the fatty foods and heavily sugared beverages.

For my final four I have North Carolina, Kansas, Memphis and UCLA. The Championship will be the Tar Heels and the Tigers. The Tar Heels will win 71-66.

I will be blogging live during some of the games so be sure to check in. Until then...ahh, March!

The 2008 'Ganza is LIVE!!!

Dear Prognosticators,

Dan, Bill and I are pleased to announce that entries into the 2008 'Ganza are NOW being accepted! We have been furiously coding our little fingers off to get the teams into the entry bracket.

Please proceed to our home page, at http://www.ganza.com, and follow the links to the entry bracket.

Returning members need to find their 'Ganza ID number on the roster page and enter it in the appropriate box on the entry bracket. You will be directed to the roster page before you can access the bracket. Also take special note of the instructions under the "name" box. Only one comma, please, and remember to type your last name first.

Note that we will only allow 100 new prognosticators this year. We want to maintain our spot as the most exclusive free contest on the world wide web! If you have friends or relatives that would like to enter the 'Ganza this year for the first time, please tell them to enter their picks right away. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us by visiting the contact page on the links to the right.

We hope you join us in the 2008 'Ganza!

Very Poohly Yours,

Gavin McCollam
Benevolent Grand Pooh-Bah

wow, what a day. (3/15)

Tennessee went down.

Duke went down.

Georgetown went down.

North Carolina won a squeaker.

UCLA and Memphis rolled.

And we have some newbies...Portland State coached by my friend, Ken Bone. American, they showed a solid effort in their conference championship, and the winner, in the "we-have-never-been-here-before-but-our-university-name-is-really-long," category is... Ganza Prognosticators let me introduce to you the, University of Maryland Baltimore County.

The Bracket will be set tomorrow evening. Can you smell it? Feel it? Taste it? Ahhh, March.

Something to consider...

I was thinking about the #1 seeds I just listed in an earlier post...I forgot to say something about Tennessee. They are tough and they have a very strong RPI. Sorry Pooh-bah, but Kansas may not get that #1 seed and be relegated to a 2 or 3, giving way for a very strong Vols team.

This will procure some very stern looks from the Pooh-bah in the halls of Ganza HQ...

hee-hee, giggle, hee-hee

I feel like a little kid getting ready for the Ganza. I can't wipe the "I want to win the Ostertag" smile off my face. I am currently watching the Florida State/North Carolina game. Carolina looks so good, great "d," very solid offense and are 9 deep. A very good pick. I think the top seeds will be, North Carolina, UCLA, Memphis and Kansas. That is my first prognosticating of the season.

I am sure you are beginning to size teams up; watch the conference tournaments this weekend to get a glimpse of who's who. Remember, look at the all important RPI, that will, and should determine who will advance in your bracket. Of course, if you want to lower your wimp factor (see http://www.ganza.com), pick a lower seed for the always exciting upset.

TWO more days...hee-hee, giggle, hee-hee.

The Brass

In talks with the Pooh bah and the Deputy, it looks as if the brass will convene in Bismarck, ND for the semi-kinda-annual strategy meeting. These meetings can only happen once in awhile because of the intensity and scope of the issues that will be covered. On the agenda is a discussion about the existential questions that plague the Ganza every year. Questions like, "Does it matter if you pick a 16 seed to win a particular region, does it matter?" or "There is only one winner anyway, so who cares if its a young girl from a midwest state that set a scoring record. Who cares that you have been in the Ganza for 17+ years and you have never hoisted the Ostertag plaque, who cares?"

It will be an epic meeting. We will blahg all of the action.