Is anyone interested in starting a 2022 NCAA tourney bracket contest? I can try to set one up online if there is interest here. Which is the best place Yahoo, ESPN, CBS Sports or something else? less than 5 days until start
I have one bracket on CBS but I find ESPN easier to deal with for setting up a group here. I don't have the time this year so feel free to set it up!
We've done it before, right?
I'm in, can't wait to defend my last place title.
I'm in.
Definitely in. I have a wide plethora of brackets currently.
Quote from: Alps on March 13, 2022, 08:07:26 PM
I have one bracket on CBS but I find ESPN easier to deal with for setting up a group here. I don't have the time this year so feel free to set it up!
There is already a group on ESPN Called AARoads Forum. It was already set up. I am not sure how to advertise it though. I have already posted my bracket there, and I am currently the only on there. You should be able to search for it. If it wants a password, try interstate366 But for me a password was not needed for me to put my bracket there. Also, if someone else has another bracket group, please post the information here (2022 NCAA Tourney bracket challenge. Only 3 days left before the start of NCAA tourney on 3-17-22
I still need to make my bracket, but here is the link:
https://fantasy.espn.com/tournament-challenge-bracket/2022/en/group?groupID=3641832
I actually created my own bracket and group, but have been unable to figure out how to invite others...so I joined the other new group instead. Works fine.
Quote from: US 89 on March 14, 2022, 11:11:47 PM
I still need to make my bracket, but here is the link:
https://fantasy.espn.com/tournament-challenge-bracket/2022/en/group?groupID=3641832
Thanks for posting the link. I was not sure that was the way to do that.
I just joined. Username is Hickory Huskers
Quote from: kendancy66 on March 14, 2022, 11:00:03 PM
If it wants a password, try interstate366
That worked for me
Just joined, used my forum username
I'm in!! Thanks for setting this up!!
I'm in. You can probably guess who I picked. :sombrero:
I've created a women's group as well, because why not.
https://fantasy.espn.com/tournament-challenge-bracket-women/2022/en/group?ex_cid=tcwomen2022_email&groupID=94180&groupp=QUFBUm9hZHM%3D&inviteuser=ezY4NTZGODU0LTk0MzUtNDg0QS05Q0VCLTg3MzI5MjA1QTBBOH0%3D&invitesource=email
Group: AARoads (F)orum
Password: AAARoads
The extra A is for Anyone can win!
I'm not entering any brackets. I used to have an account at ESPN from other years, but I forgot the details (and besides, with the GDPR in Europe I'm not sure if I could reach the site without a VPN).
Also, no parody bracket as it is too late to even think a theme. I remember one year I filled the bracket with eponymous diseases. And as things evolve I would only keep the top two seeds from that year as top seeds.
Quote from: JayhawkCO on March 15, 2022, 03:49:26 PM
I'm in. You can probably guess who I picked. :sombrero:
With Missouri and Kansas State both not in it I couldn't begin to guess.
I'm in
Quote from: cabiness42 on March 15, 2022, 07:38:14 PM
Quote from: JayhawkCO on March 15, 2022, 03:49:26 PM
I'm in. You can probably guess who I picked. :sombrero:
With Missouri and Kansas State both not in it I couldn't begin to guess.
Probably Baylor then. Or TX Tech
I joined as Ptsung123
Quote from: jlam on March 15, 2022, 11:29:44 PM
Quote from: cabiness42 on March 15, 2022, 07:38:14 PM
Quote from: JayhawkCO on March 15, 2022, 03:49:26 PM
I'm in. You can probably guess who I picked. :sombrero:
With Missouri and Kansas State both not in it I couldn't begin to guess.
Probably Baylor then. Or TX Tech
Y'all not see his username?
Quote from: thspfc on March 16, 2022, 07:57:36 PM
Quote from: jlam on March 15, 2022, 11:29:44 PM
Quote from: cabiness42 on March 15, 2022, 07:38:14 PM
Quote from: JayhawkCO on March 15, 2022, 03:49:26 PM
I'm in. You can probably guess who I picked. :sombrero:
With Missouri and Kansas State both not in it I couldn't begin to guess.
Probably Baylor then. Or TX Tech
Y'all not see his username?
Did you not see the sarcasm?
Quote from: cabiness42 on March 16, 2022, 07:58:53 PM
Quote from: thspfc on March 16, 2022, 07:57:36 PM
Quote from: jlam on March 15, 2022, 11:29:44 PM
Quote from: cabiness42 on March 15, 2022, 07:38:14 PM
Quote from: JayhawkCO on March 15, 2022, 03:49:26 PM
I'm in. You can probably guess who I picked. :sombrero:
With Missouri and Kansas State both not in it I couldn't begin to guess.
Probably Baylor then. Or TX Tech
Y'all not see his username?
Did you not see the sarcasm?
Right. Purdue, then.
My bracket already busted by Michigan and Memphis
Since there is no better place, I announce here how I'll know each venue for this March Madness. Remember I don't use sponsored names because they don't pay me. Unofficial names in bold.
First Four (already played):
Dayton: UD Arena
First and Second Rounds:
Portland: Rose Garden
Buffalo: Crossroads Arena
Indianapolis: Pacers Fieldhouse
Fort Worth: New Will Rogers Arena
Milwaukee: Wisconsin Enterntainment and Sports Center (informally "Bucks Forum")
Greenville: Greenville Arena
Pittsburgh: Penguins Arena
San Diego: Viejas Arena (even though it is a sponsored name it actually refers to a tribe, not to some corporation. Otherwise "Aztec Bowl")
Regional Semifinals and Finals (the finals a.k.a. "quarter-finals" by me):
San Francisco: Warriors Arena
San Antonio: Spurs Center
Philadelphia: Spectrum II
Chicago: Bulls Center (would be "Blackhawks Center" if hockey)
Final Four:
New Orleans: Louisiana Superdome
We have our first huge upset as 15 seed St. Peters takes down 2 seed Kentucky at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Quote from: Buck87 on March 17, 2022, 09:41:21 PM
We have our first huge upset as 15 seed St. Peters takes down 2 seed Kentucky at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
I had UK in the national championship! Nice!
Already this looks like a repeat of last year for me, where I do well in the early rounds but my final four picks fail. IIRC I had a run of like 16 straight correct picks on opening weekend last year, only for my bracket to fall apart after that.
UK and UConn are the first two upsets on the day. Not great but not killing me just yet.
I'm doing awful in the aaroads bracket yall are better than me
My bracket is screwed. I picked Chattanooga to upset. Almost happened :banghead:
My brother has a bracket group with some of his friends, and the girl that's winning didn't even know what sport it was for. :-D
To quote John Mulaney, “whenever someone hands me a bracket, it’s like “oh, do you want to be confused for a month?” And I’m like “yeah, this’ll make me feel like a man. Gonzayga, that’s a funny name. I’ll pick them.””
Need Kansas to win this one I have them going to the championship game
So Kentucky got upset in the first game in both the men's and women's tournaments. Has this happened before with any school (in the same year)?
Quote from: 1 on March 19, 2022, 07:34:08 PM
So Kentucky got upset in the first game in both the men's and women's tournaments. Has this happened before with any school (in the same year)?
Kentucky women were only a #6. Not a huge upset.
Quote from: cabiness42 on March 19, 2022, 07:36:32 PM
Quote from: 1 on March 19, 2022, 07:34:08 PM
So Kentucky got upset in the first game in both the men's and women's tournaments. Has this happened before with any school (in the same year)?
Kentucky women were only a #6. Not a huge upset.
He didn't say it was a huge upset.
Quote from: Buck87 on March 17, 2022, 09:41:21 PM
We have our first huge upset as 15 seed St. Peters takes down 2 seed Kentucky at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
And they win again, taking them to the Sweet 16, joining only two other 15 seeds to do so since 1985.
Gonzaga was able to pull out a win keeping my Gonzaga-Kansas prediction alive.
Why do I have to stay in the #1 spot knowing my bracket is toast? Can't it just go to the basement where it belongs?
Quote from: thspfc on March 20, 2022, 10:30:09 PM
Why do I have to stay in the #1 spot knowing my bracket is toast? Can't it just go to the basement where it belongs?
Heh. I threw my bracket together in five minutes. The basement is mine.
Officiating has been horrible this year. The refs just handed Arizona their win over TCU on a silver platter, and there's been at least four other games where they pretty much decided the outcome.
Quote from: US 89 on March 21, 2022, 12:41:25 AM
Officiating has been horrible this year. The refs just handed Arizona their win over TCU on a silver platter, and there's been at least four other games where they pretty much decided the outcome.
That was bad. But I picked Arizona for final 4 so I'm sort of happy.
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on March 21, 2022, 01:42:38 AM
Quote from: US 89 on March 21, 2022, 12:41:25 AM
Officiating has been horrible this year. The refs just handed Arizona their win over TCU on a silver platter, and there's been at least four other games where they pretty much decided the outcome.
That was bad. But I picked Arizona for final 4 so I'm sort of happy.
Every one of my brackets has them winning, so phew.
Quote from: Alps on March 21, 2022, 09:57:10 PM
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on March 21, 2022, 01:42:38 AM
Quote from: US 89 on March 21, 2022, 12:41:25 AM
Officiating has been horrible this year. The refs just handed Arizona their win over TCU on a silver platter, and there's been at least four other games where they pretty much decided the outcome.
That was bad. But I picked Arizona for final 4 so I'm sort of happy.
Every one of my brackets has them winning, so phew.
They still don't look that strong so Houston has a good shot at taking them down.
From looking, even if KU wins, I don't think I can win the pool outright.
shoot
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on March 24, 2022, 02:21:22 AM
Quote from: Alps on March 21, 2022, 09:57:10 PM
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on March 21, 2022, 01:42:38 AM
Quote from: US 89 on March 21, 2022, 12:41:25 AM
Officiating has been horrible this year. The refs just handed Arizona their win over TCU on a silver platter, and there's been at least four other games where they pretty much decided the outcome.
That was bad. But I picked Arizona for final 4 so I'm sort of happy.
Every one of my brackets has them winning, so phew.
They still don't look that strong so Houston has a good shot at taking them down.
And Houston took them down, 72-60!
Arkansas took out Gonzaga 74-68. That's two #1 seeds gone. Baylor was knocked out last weekend by UNC. Kansas is the only one still left.
Yesterday destroyed my bracket. I picked TTU to beat Duke, Arizona to make the Final Four, and Gonzaga winning the natty :-/.
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on March 25, 2022, 04:29:31 PM
Yesterday destroyed my bracket. I picked TTU to beat Duke, Arizona to make the Final Four, and Gonzaga winning the natty :-/.
TTU and Arizona was my final game. I'm dead.
Quote from: Alps on March 25, 2022, 05:14:18 PM
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on March 25, 2022, 04:29:31 PM
Yesterday destroyed my bracket. I picked TTU to beat Duke, Arizona to make the Final Four, and Gonzaga winning the natty :-/.
TTU and Arizona was my final game. I'm dead.
I'm not gonna be last!
Quote from: thspfc on March 25, 2022, 07:55:18 PM
Quote from: Alps on March 25, 2022, 05:14:18 PM
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on March 25, 2022, 04:29:31 PM
Yesterday destroyed my bracket. I picked TTU to beat Duke, Arizona to make the Final Four, and Gonzaga winning the natty :-/.
TTU and Arizona was my final game. I'm dead.
I'm not gonna be last!
Told ya so.
Peacocks
First 15 seed to win a Sweet 16 game.
No 13 or 14 seeds have done this yet, and only two 12's have, just to show how rare this is.
Duke vs UNC in final 4 :-o
Quote from: Rothman on March 27, 2022, 08:46:15 PM
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on March 27, 2022, 07:57:59 PM
Duke vs UNC in final 4 :-o
Gee. This hasn't been fixed.
And I was beginning to suspect I was the only one who had that thought... :hmmm:
Every school in the Final Four has won at least 3 NCAA Tournament titles, for a combined 17 among them.
Quote from: ilpt4u on March 27, 2022, 08:47:16 PM
Quote from: Rothman on March 27, 2022, 08:46:15 PM
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on March 27, 2022, 07:57:59 PM
Duke vs UNC in final 4 :o
Gee. This hasn't been fixed.
And I was beginning to suspect I was the only one who had that thought... :hmmm:
I can't recall any run for a championship in any sport that hasn't been claimed to be fixed for some reason. If St Peters won, it would've been fixed to get a NYC area team or a Cinderella story team in the Final 4.
My bracket has shot up in ranking because I picked Kansas to go to the national championship game and they did just that.
Like I declared, the basement is mine.
I made the top half. I can live with that.
I'll either finish 3rd or 4th when KU wins tomorrow.
I'm currently in 1st but cannot win. If Kansas wins I'll finish 4th behind the current 2nd-4th place holders, who all picked the Jayhawks, and if UNC wins I'll finish 2nd to the current 10th place holder, who picked the Tar Heels.
This game is a rematch of the 1957 final in which UNC defeated Wilt Chamberlain's Jayhawks 54-53 in triple overtime at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City.
I'm 6th. Given that I was near the bottom for a time I'm thrilled.
ROOOOOCCCCKKKK CHHHAAAAAALLLKKK JAAAAYYYHHAAWWWKKK KKKKKUUUUUUUUUU!
Should have picked Kansas to win over Gonzaga smh
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on April 05, 2022, 12:24:24 AM
Should have picked Kansas to win over Gonzaga smh
Bluntly, we were more or less ignored from the beginning of the tournament. Everyone thought we'd lose to Iowa if I remember correctly. As Self says, not our most talented team, but they think they are. Hell of a comeback.
Quote from: JayhawkCO on April 05, 2022, 01:54:37 AM
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on April 05, 2022, 12:24:24 AM
Should have picked Kansas to win over Gonzaga smh
Bluntly, we were more or less ignored from the beginning of the tournament. Everyone thought we'd lose to Iowa if I remember correctly. As Self says, not our most talented team, but they think they are. Hell of a comeback.
I had them in the championship game. I though highly of them due to winning the B12 over a very good Texas Tech team. Gonzaga dissappointed me. Not picking them next year.
Quote from: JayhawkCO on April 05, 2022, 01:54:37 AM
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on April 05, 2022, 12:24:24 AM
Should have picked Kansas to win over Gonzaga smh
Bluntly, we were more or less ignored from the beginning of the tournament. Everyone thought we'd lose to Iowa if I remember correctly. As Self says, not our most talented team, but they think they are. Hell of a comeback.
Some talking head may have picked that, but most of the brackets had Kansas in the Final Four. In their bracket they had the weakest 2 seed, an average 3 seed, and the weakest 4 seed. Like roadgeekteen I had them losing to Gonzaga in the final, but they were always a good bet to get there.
I wonder who Roy Williams was rooting for last night...
Fun fact: Both finalists were coached by the successors of the same man (Williams), which had never happened until now. Congrats to Bill Self for picking up his second title at Kansas, and I wish Hubert Davis the best of luck at UNC.
Quote from: Henry on April 05, 2022, 10:18:03 AM
I wonder who Roy Williams was rooting for last night...
Fun fact: Both finalists were coached by the successors of the same man (Williams), which had never happened until now. Congrats to Bill Self for picking up his second title at Kansas, and I wish Hubert Davis the best of luck at UNC.
He was dressed in Carolina blue. It was a good run when he was with us (he left for UNC when I was a junior at KU), but we surprisingly ended up seemingly better off by getting Self, who views Kansas as his dream job. UNC was always Roy's dream job. Glad they both got them as they're both good guys.
Quote from: JayhawkCO on April 05, 2022, 01:54:37 AM
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on April 05, 2022, 12:24:24 AM
Should have picked Kansas to win over Gonzaga smh
Bluntly, we were more or less ignored from the beginning of the tournament. Everyone thought we'd lose to Iowa if I remember correctly. As Self says, not our most talented team, but they think they are. Hell of a comeback.
Yeah, I had Iowa. I had no one left in the Final Four.
Anyone interested in doing this again for 2023 March Madness?
Depends. Who won the bracket challenge last year?
Quote from: Hot Rod Hootenanny on March 12, 2023, 07:32:49 PM
Depends. Who won the bracket challenge last year?
Roadmeet_hater. Not sure who that is on here though
I'm definitely up for it again this year
Is it the Unnecessary Arguments group? If so, I see it's set up from last year on the CBS site
Bring it. Rock chalk.
There is also a aaroads bracket group on espn here
https://fantasy.espn.com/tournament-challenge-bracket/2023/en/group?groupID=3641832
This is the one i entered last year (2022)
iPhone
Quote from: kendancy66 on March 13, 2023, 08:10:03 AM
There is also a aaroads bracket group on espn here
https://fantasy.espn.com/tournament-challenge-bracket/2023/en/group?groupID=3641832
This is the one i entered last year (2022)
iPhone
It's probably easiest for everyone to join this one.
Quote from: thspfc on March 13, 2023, 10:56:07 AM
Quote from: kendancy66 on March 13, 2023, 08:10:03 AM
There is also a aaroads bracket group on espn here
https://fantasy.espn.com/tournament-challenge-bracket/2023/en/group?groupID=3641832
This is the one i entered last year (2022)
iPhone
It's probably easiest for everyone to join this one.
I joined.
Joined as well.
Joined as well
I have joined as well.
If you want to try your hand at a women's bracket:
https://fantasy.espn.com/tournament-challenge-bracket-women/2023/en/group?groupID=132931
Joined. I'll probably also join the women's bracket challenge group.
If I picked in the women's, I'd be throwing darts other than South Carolina winning it all.
Saw this graphic on TV last night, but haven't been able to find it online yet:
Every champion since 1998 has been east of a line running just west of Waco but east of Austin. Highly seeded teams UCLA, Texas, Arizona, Gonzaga and San Diego St. fall west of this line.
Gonzaga never fails to disappoint.
I think a thread title change is due.
Also, I'm already writting up the names of the venues in the style of IOC, FIFA, etc. which prohibit sponsorships beyond their own.
I'm in
I'm going with my alma mater for sentimental reasons. (LET'S GO BRUINS!!!)
Quote from: Henry on March 14, 2023, 08:56:36 PM
I'm going with my alma mater for sentimental reasons. (LET'S GO BRUINS!!!)
I picked Bama to win because IDK
Roadmeet Hater will defend his title.
Houston over Virginia in the final
Quote from: Hot Rod Hootenanny on March 15, 2023, 01:25:17 PM
Roadmeet Hater will defend his title.
Houston over Virginia in the final
You're a poet.
I joined as well. Though I originally made my bracket with my name and my dog's name since the brewery we frequent would recognize us as Dave Carpenter and Lincoln, not zzcarp.
I finally joined. Good luck to all.
Quote from: jlam on March 15, 2023, 08:43:28 PM
I finally joined. Good luck to all.
No. Good luck to me and bad luck to the rest of you.
In, under my rarely used JerseyBarriers alias.
I'm in!
Looks like we already lost someone's champ and someone's runner up. What a choke job that was by UVA. How he makes that pass, I don't know. Hell of a shot from Furman though.
0-2 now :banghead:
That UVA champ was mine :no:
Currently 0-2 as well. (forgot I picked WV over Maryland)
Heh. I picked Furman.
Missouri's win gets me my first points after heartbreaking endings for the Virginias.
I swore I switched my Utah State pick to Missouri, but it must not have saved. My intention was picking against all MWC teams this year as they didn't win a single game in last tourney.
1 for 4 on my primary bracket but 4 for 4 on my secondary bracket. Seems like it always ends up that way for me.
Per the tradition, here are the names I use for this years' venues. Unofficial names in bold.
First Four (already played):
Dayton: UD Arena
First and Second Rounds:
Orlando: Orlando Events Center
Birmingham: Magic City Theatre
Des Moines: Arena at Iowa Events Center
Sacramento: New Kings Center
Albany: Knickerbocker Arena
Greensboro: Greensboro Coliseum
Columbus: Blue Jackets Arena
Denver: Nuggets Arena (would be "Avalanche Arena" if hockey)
Regional Semifinals and Finals (the finals a.k.a. "quarter-finals" by me):
New York: Madison Square Garden
Las Vegas: Las Vegas Arena
Louisville: Louisville Center
Kansas City: Kansas City Center
Final Four:
Houston: Texans Stadium
Go Terps go (but ugh, Fulman busting me already...)
Looks like I may have picked the wrong south region upset
And now Princeton beat Arizona. Wow.
Well, this was fun while it lasted.
My bracket is garbage but at least all my elite 8 teams will still be alive through day 1, which is an improvement over previous years.
Wow, going against my gut and eliminating Arizona early worked out. Good thing I got all those upsetted teams eliminated early
Nervous fans in Houston...
Quote from: JayhawkCO on March 16, 2023, 02:55:30 PM
Looks like we already lost someone's champ and someone's runner up. What a choke job that was by UVA. How he makes that pass, I don't know. Hell of a shot from Furman though.
So much for me defending my "bracket title."
Quote from: Rothman on March 16, 2023, 11:01:18 PM
Nervous fans in Houston...
Can't believe it was that close with Northern Kentucky chucking up so many deep 3s and missing.
#16 FDU pulls off a thrilling upset over #1 Purdue! It must suck having them win it all...
Quote from: jlam on March 17, 2023, 09:38:20 PM
#16 FDU pulls off a thrilling upset over #1 Purdue! It must suck having them win it all...
Well, we aren't the only ones to lose to the #16 seed anymore.
VPI fans everywhere are pissed at both FDU and Purdue.
Quote from: jlam on March 17, 2023, 09:38:20 PM
#16 FDU pulls off a thrilling upset over #1 Purdue! It must suck having them win it all...
I had Purdue losing to Memphis in the round of 32. Never trusted them.
Second time this has happened...
Before 2018: "No 16 seed has ever beaten a 1...", and then UVA loses to UMBC, one year before eventually winning the national championship.
From 2018 until tonight: "No way it'll happen again...", and then Fairleigh Dickinson pull it off against Purdue. Just goes to show that they call it March Madness for a reason.
My bracket took a hit near the end of the day. Predicted Memphis to go to S16 and predicted Arizona State to upset TCU. Dammit.
I really love those knock-out tournaments, especially when they are single match, because things like what Farleigh Dickinson did can happen. Or when a 3rd tier team gets all the way to the semi-finals like it has happened several times in European association football. I still remember when Virginia lost to UMBC, at the time I had a parallel bracket in which I replaced the teams with something else.
I suppose FDU's win was encouraging: UVA has never failed to win the national championship the year after a #16 seed has beaten a #1 seed.
:bigass:
Two of my Final Four are already out.
I will rise from the basement.
Or not.
Probably not.
Should get an award for coming in last.
Freaking Princeton all the way to the S16. My champion is still in, I had Alabama.
Obviously I'm grumpy and bitter, admittedly, but when there are six players that have four fouls or more in one game, the refs have become more in charge of the game than the players.
Quote from: JayhawkCO on March 18, 2023, 10:23:16 PM
Obviously I'm grumpy and bitter, admittedly, but when there are six players that have four fouls or more in one game, the refs have become more in charge of the game than the players.
At least you won last year. Happy my champion Alabama is still in.
Quote from: JayhawkCO on March 18, 2023, 10:23:16 PM
Obviously I'm grumpy and bitter, admittedly, but when there are six players that have four fouls or more in one game, the refs have become more in charge of the game than the players.
Or players are getting more sloppy.
Quote from: JayhawkCO on March 18, 2023, 10:23:16 PM
Obviously I'm grumpy and bitter, admittedly, but when there are six players that have four fouls or more in one game, the refs have become more in charge of the game than the players.
I don't know. The refs are supposed to be in charge of the game no matter how many fouls the players have. :-D
Quote from: CtrlAltDel on March 19, 2023, 09:34:46 AM
Quote from: JayhawkCO on March 18, 2023, 10:23:16 PM
Obviously I'm grumpy and bitter, admittedly, but when there are six players that have four fouls or more in one game, the refs have become more in charge of the game than the players.
I don't know. The refs are supposed to be in charge of the game no matter how many fouls the players have. :-D
In charge of the result then.
Quote from: JayhawkCO on March 19, 2023, 09:43:47 AM
Quote from: CtrlAltDel on March 19, 2023, 09:34:46 AM
Quote from: JayhawkCO on March 18, 2023, 10:23:16 PM
Obviously I'm grumpy and bitter, admittedly, but when there are six players that have four fouls or more in one game, the refs have become more in charge of the game than the players.
I don't know. The refs are supposed to be in charge of the game no matter how many fouls the players have. :-D
In charge of the result then.
I know what you meant of course. It was just a little joke on my part.
My "glass half full" take: your team can't choke in the postseason if they aren't in the postseason.
At least I don't feel ours was a choke. Arkansas is good and I was nervous about them when the bracket was released. Also, this year seems so wide open with no super obvious favorites. In years past, we've been the clear favorites and choked for sure (Northern Iowa, VCU, etc.).
Yikes what an embarassing moment for FAU. Still rooting for them vs Tennessee though (picked Duke so no bracket implications).
3rd in points right now, but still have 7 of my Elite Eight and my entire Final Four left so not too bad all things considered.
I'm still amazed that I still have so many potential points compared to those above me in the ranks. Doubly so, since my approach to this bracket was quite experimental (eh, let's just go by stats as I see fit...).
Heading into the Sweet 16, I'm currently tied in 4th with WillReaver and jeffandnicole, but I have a bunch more max points. Most of us still have a shot at first. Congrats to ran4sh for having one of the best brackets in the nation
I'm second to last. Nice. Though I still have my champion (Alabama) and runner-up (Texas), plus Houston in the elite 8.
Hooray for my Bruins still being in it! I see them going all the way, if everything goes right for them.
Quote from: Henry on March 21, 2023, 09:48:54 PM
Hooray for my Bruins still being in it! I see them going all the way, if everything goes right for them.
No strong feelings about UCLA one way or the other, but if they win it all I win some $$$ so go Bruins!
All 1 seeds are out, and only one bracket on the group has its winner still in. (Gonzaga)
Texas is the only 2 seed still in
Thanks to Gonzaga's win, my bracket is now worthless.
Hey, I am no longer in last place! And my pick for champion is the last standing.
Everything's coming up Rothman!
And Alabama lost, so my champ just like last year is gone in the sweet 16. My runner up (Texas) is still in though.
Glad I'm not a bettor.
There are no number 1 seeds remaining in the tournament.
First time that has ever happened this early in the big dance.
And in the Women's tournament, No. 3 Ohio State beats No. 2 UConn. The madness continues.
Quote from: Ted$8roadFan on March 25, 2023, 06:18:00 PM
And in the Women's tournament, No. 3 Ohio State beats No. 2 UConn. The madness continues.
At least that's a respectable win.
Quote from: Henry on March 24, 2023, 09:48:30 PM
Thanks to Gonzaga's win, my bracket is now worthless.
I only have Texas left for my Final Four.
Quote from: jeffandnicole on March 25, 2023, 06:49:06 PM
Quote from: Ted$8roadFan on March 25, 2023, 06:18:00 PM
And in the Women's tournament, No. 3 Ohio State beats No. 2 UConn. The madness continues.
At least that's a respectable win.
Anything Ohio State wins is respectable. :-D
And now No. 9 Florida Atlantic beat No. 3 Kansas State. Upset after upset.
Wow, mine is an effing joke by this point.
At least fantasy baseball season is coming. I actually know what I am doing there.
My only team left is Texas, I had them losing to Houston in the Elite 8.
UConn dismantled Gonzaga. Starting to think that they might be the clear favorites to win it all.
That was rough. It's been fun.
No. 3 Miami just beat No. 2 Texas, 88-81 to head to the Final Four, where they will face UConn. There are no words left.
0 final 4 picks correct, I picked Texas to go to final 4. But my joke bracket not in our group has FAU winning it all so yay?
Imperfect Final Four for me! Yeah!
3 of the 4 teams are making their first Final Four appearance
2 of the teams used to be in the same (Power) conference, before realignment madness the last 20 years or so
Miami was the last school to survive both tournaments before their women's team lost yesterday.
According to FiveThirtyEight, plus my Numbers (Mac equivalent of Excel) spreadsheet:
Both teams in Elite Eight
UConn: 21.7% (women lost in third round in upset)
Indiana: 12% (both teams lost in second round to Miami, men one day earlier)
Texas: 9.5% (women lost in second round)
Tennessee: 7.3% (both teams lost in third round, men two days earlier)
Duke: 4.8% (both teams lost in second round, men two days earlier)
Iowa: 4.2% (men lost in first round)
Maryland: 2.3% (men lost in second round)
... (nine teams skipped)
Miami: 0.06% (the only team that succeeded in both getting to Elite Eight, but the women lost in the next round)
Both teams in Final Four (none did this):
UConn: 6.6%
Indiana: 3.8%
Texas: 2.4%
Tennessee: 1.68%
Iowa: 0.84%
... (nine teams skipped)
Miami: 0.0006%
Out of 20 million brackets, 37 predicted the entire final 4 correctly.
https://www.outkick.com/ncaa-tournament-march-madness-men-women-final-four-ticket-prices-cost/
I like that women's basketball is outpacing men's this year! Excellent!
Quote from: Alps on March 29, 2023, 12:11:43 AM
https://www.outkick.com/ncaa-tournament-march-madness-men-women-final-four-ticket-prices-cost/
I like that women's basketball is outpacing men's this year! Excellent!
Picked the wrong venue for the men's tournament, it seems. Wonder what the comparison would be like if the arenas were the same size.
Is Ticketmaster cheaper than the others because nobody wants to buy from them due to the Eras Tour scandal a few months ago?
Weird to think a 30-win team is the underdog, but that's college sports for you.
(former FAU student checking in)
When I went, they were lucky to get 500-1000 people in the stands, and it was free if you showed your ID. Nobody seemed to know they'd knocked off a ranked opponent on the road back in 1998 (Oklahoma State). They'd have a decent showing for the so-called Midnight Madness, but probably just as an excuse to stay up and be loud.
Times may change; of course, college sports being what they are, some big but recently-flagging program will write Dusty May a big check and contract, and it's all over. FAU had some pretty good donors, though.
Quote from: Alps on March 29, 2023, 12:11:43 AM
https://www.outkick.com/ncaa-tournament-march-madness-men-women-final-four-ticket-prices-cost/
I like that women's basketball is outpacing men's this year! Excellent!
The fanbases in the men's tournanament aren't very big
The National Championship has been set. UConn vs SDSU. What a crazy buzzer beater to win the game for SDSU!
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on April 02, 2023, 03:12:51 AM
The National Championship has been set. UConn vs SDSU. What a crazy buzzer beater to win the game for SDSU!
I wouldn't have expected anything less this year.....
A lot of missed opportunities down the stretch for FAU.
Oh well, now I don't have to stay up late on Monday night.
I'm just happy I didn't end up in last place.
Quote from: Rothman on April 02, 2023, 10:23:39 AM
I'm just happy I didn't end up in last place.
That belongs to me.
UCONN wins the 2023 March Madness!!
Quote from: Hunty2022 on April 03, 2023, 11:38:45 PM
UCONN wins the 2023 March Madness!!
I am obligated to dislike UConn as a UMass fan, but congrats. What a dominant run.
Not only is it the fifth national championship for UConn, they're also the fifth team since 1985 to win all six games by double figures.
Also, congrats to LSU for winning their first ever women's national championship against Iowa in a matchup of first-time finalists.
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on April 03, 2023, 11:40:22 PM
Quote from: Hunty2022 on April 03, 2023, 11:38:45 PM
UCONN wins the 2023 March Madness!!
I am obligated to dislike UConn as a UMass fan, but congrats. What a dominant run.
Pfft. You're too young to remember the much better rivalry with Temple. Calipari vs. Cheney. Great games.
UMass and UConn aren't even in the same conference.
Quote from: Rothman on April 04, 2023, 06:55:23 AM
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on April 03, 2023, 11:40:22 PM
Quote from: Hunty2022 on April 03, 2023, 11:38:45 PM
UCONN wins the 2023 March Madness!!
I am obligated to dislike UConn as a UMass fan, but congrats. What a dominant run.
Pfft. You're too young to remember the much better rivalry with Temple. Calipari vs. Cheney. Great games.
UMass and UConn aren't even in the same conference.
Temple is in the AAC now. Honestly I don't really care about most of the A10 rivals. Most of them are random private schools miles away, the only one I care about is URI. UConn is a big football/hockey rival, we don't have a big basketball rival at the moment.
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on April 03, 2023, 11:40:22 PM
I am obligated to dislike UConn as a UMass fan, but congrats. What a dominant run.
Who is the most famous alum from UMass?
Quote from: Hot Rod Hootenanny on April 08, 2023, 02:30:34 AM
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on April 03, 2023, 11:40:22 PM
I am obligated to dislike UConn as a UMass fan, but congrats. What a dominant run.
Who is the most famous alum from UMass?
In terms of basketball, Dr.J.
Richard Gere also went to UMass, along with Bill Pullman.
And then there's Jack Welch.
Quote from: Rothman on April 08, 2023, 10:51:07 AM
Quote from: Hot Rod Hootenanny on April 08, 2023, 02:30:34 AM
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on April 03, 2023, 11:40:22 PM
I am obligated to dislike UConn as a UMass fan, but congrats. What a dominant run.
Who is the most famous alum from UMass?
In terms of basketball, Dr.J.
Richard Gere also went to UMass, along with Bill Pullman.
And then there's Jack Welch.
And former GM CEO Jack Smith "˜60.
In 2014, I remember this from the post-game...
Quote from: UConn Coach Kevin Ollie
We don't chase National Championships. National championships chase us.
... and thinking: "Ooof. It's gonna be a while until the next one." It wasn't a good look IMHO, and I'm a fan.
So, championships did chase other teams for about 10 years. But now the car has caught back up to the dog :-)
Also, there's a pattern in the seemingly-random championship runs.
First was 1999, then 2004: 5 years
Then 2011: 7 years
Then 2014: 3 years
Then 2023: 9 years
5, 7, 3, 9.
Next number in the sequence is 1, meaning they'll repeat.
But after that, 11 blissful years free of UConn bracket-busting.
But after that... the next number is -1. And that gets interesting.
It's March now and the regular season is about to end. Are we gonna go at this again for this year's March Madness tourney?
Quote from: Hunty2022 on March 05, 2024, 10:33:36 PM
It's March now and the regular season is about to end. Are we gonna go at this again for this year's March Madness tourney?
That's the plan. We'll probably wait about a week from now before we make a group.
Tourney seems to be starting later this year.
Quote from: Rothman on March 05, 2024, 11:34:42 PM
Tourney seems to be starting later this year.
It is. Championship is usually first Monday in April.
Alright, Selection Sunday has rolled around. With all the upsets in the conference tourneys, this one ought to be interesting.
If anybody wants to join the group we've been using, here's the link:
https://fantasy.espn.com/tc/sharer?challengeId=240&from=espn&context=GROUP_INVITE&edition=espn-en&groupId=60b9c24b-56f2-3452-940d-a52557989606&joinKey=9b67be81-d4a1-340e-803e-ab7951e7187a (https://fantasy.espn.com/tc/sharer?challengeId=240&from=espn&context=GROUP_INVITE&edition=espn-en&groupId=60b9c24b-56f2-3452-940d-a52557989606&joinKey=9b67be81-d4a1-340e-803e-ab7951e7187a)
(Password is interstate366 if it prompts one)
I've joined the challenge.
Bring it.
If you want to try your luck at the women's bracket:
https://fantasy.espn.com/tc/sharer?challengeId=241&from=espn&context=GROUP_INVITE&edition=espn-en&groupId=8b44e3e1-a877-4110-aef9-494faa72171b&joinKey=4c1be2b3-39c2-3db5-8b01-fa72fc32667c
Password is borman8094
Joined that too... I'll probably go with Iowa, or any #1 seed for the women's.
I joined the women's as well. Go UConn I guess
I'm in for both, waiting on the women to open at 9 EDT.
Already in for the men's, will fill out a bracket for the women's shortly.
I filled one out. ESPN isn't displaying my profile name that I thought I updated, though. I'm with one with the gibberish number for now. :P
I joined the bracket.
I bet a lot of people's brackets have been busted already...or will be in the next three days.
Quote from: Henry on March 21, 2024, 09:47:16 PM
I bet a lot of people's brackets have been busted already...or will be in the next three days.
I mean, 75% of teams will lose between today and Sunday. I think that's pretty well assured.
I picked the wrong team to beat Kentucky. *sigh*
Aside from Kentucky, I now have a second incorrect pick to advance to the second round in BYU.
I'm likely out of the running already. SEC killed me. Oh well. Now just to cheer for good games.
For the men's tourney, only 4 perfect brackets remain.
For the women's tourney, there's still 45,325.
This is probably the first time all my elite 8 teams remain alive after the first round. My last-place dynasty in our group (two of the last three years!) appears to be on the ropes.
My brackets are decent so far (my 8-year-old is still leading the family pool, just like he did last year). However, I'm all in for the schadenfreude towards SEC commissioner Greg Sankey, who the other day advocated for eliminating automatic bids from smaller conferences so more major conference teams could get in, and has now seen Oakland and Yale take out Kentucky and Auburn.
It's the Cinderella teams that make the tournament as fun as it is, especially in these first few days. I'd actually advocate for an expanded tournament if that meant mid-major conference winners got in even if they didn't win their conference tournament. For example, the Long Beach State story was good this week, but UC Irvine would have had a much better shot at advancing in the tournament (and by much better, I still mean very small, but as we have seen, one never knows...).
The James Madison Dukes will face Duke after beating a school located in a city named after James Madison.
I did two brackets. I entered the wrong one into the group.
Sankey's a putz.
Quote from: thspfc on March 23, 2024, 12:47:51 AM
The James Madison Dukes will face Duke after beating a school located in a city named after James Madison.
Good thing I picked JMU for that round! That does eliminate the remaining perfect brackets though.
How appropriate that a team called the Dukes will play a team from Duke University in the second round! Probably going to call this game the Battle of the Dukes?
Quote from: Henry on March 23, 2024, 02:09:42 PM
How appropriate that a team called the Dukes will play a team from Duke University in the second round! Probably going to call this game the Battle of the Dukes?
Put up your dukes!
JMU, Yale and Grand Canyon have further tainted my bracket.
I will be at the ND vs Marquette women's 2nd round game Monday.
It's amazing that some of my bracket branches are perfect while I totally screwed up others.
Part of the fun is rooting against your own bracket because there's a low seed on an entertaining tear.
Quote from: triplemultiplex on March 27, 2024, 12:32:27 PMPart of the fun is rooting against your own bracket because there's a low seed on an entertaining tear.
And, sadly, there is very little of that this year.
It looks to be an all-ACC matchup in the Elite Eight, as UNC is leading big over Alabama. Clemson already won, so Saturday could be an interesting day if they hang on to win. Also, we'll have a second such matchup in that round if Duke and NC State win their respective games, but I wouldn't count on that happening.
Quote from: JayhawkCO on March 27, 2024, 01:13:56 PMQuote from: triplemultiplex on March 27, 2024, 12:32:27 PMPart of the fun is rooting against your own bracket because there's a low seed on an entertaining tear.
And, sadly, there is very little of that this year.
I would not count out NC State at all. OTOH, it's become apparent that Dan Hurley and UConn will be major powers in college basketball for the foreseeable future.
Quote from: Henry on March 28, 2024, 11:05:20 PMIt looks to be an all-ACC matchup in the Elite Eight, as UNC is leading big over Alabama. Clemson already won, so Saturday could be an interesting day if they hang on to win. Also, we'll have a second such matchup in that round if Duke and NC State win their respective games, but I wouldn't count on that happening.
This didn't age well. When I was trying to pick my dark horse to make the finals, I originally had Alabama and then switched to Auburn. Bad move by me.
Auburn torched my other bracket at work yesterday. Eh, it was somewhat of a long-shot guess anyway.
Still doing okay in this one.
Go Marquette tonight!
My UConn-Purdue title game is still alive, but my other two Final Four picks (Kentucky and North Carolina) are out. Pretty funny.
I hate Duke...need I say more?
Oh well. There's always next year.
Somehow...by some miracle...I am not in last place.
Somehow I'm in first place in both.
Does anyone know who won the 2023 group brackets?
I correctly predicted three Elite Eight teams, two of which are my title game teams.
Looks like I have a (very slim) chance, for once. I need
- Alabama over UConn
- If Tennessee wins today, NC State must beat Duke and then they must beat Tennessee
- If Purdue wins today, they must lose in the F4 (opponent doesn't matter)
Then I would somehow win despite having the wrong national champion and the sweet 16 completely wiping out the right side of my bracket.
Purdue headed to the Final Four on the strength of Zach Edey for the first time since 1980.
Quote from: Ted$8roadFan on March 31, 2024, 04:45:56 PMPurdue headed to the Final Four on the strength of Zach Edey for the first time since 1980.
Huh. Would have thought they had made it some time between then and now.
My bracket is busted, but Duke lost. Therefore, I am happy.
UConn vs. Alabama and NC State vs. Perdue in the Final Four.
My other bracket, not the one entered in this group, will win $500 if Purdue wins it all or loses to Alabama in the final.
I didn't see the game yesterday because we went out to dinner for Easter with my mother. Bummed that Duke lost, but at the same time, NC State deserves immense credit for one of the all-time great Cinderella stories when you couple this run with their five wins in five days in the ACC Tournament just to make the NCAA field at all.
4 teams of destiny now; each with a reason to win it all. (even putting aside big centers, 3-point shooting, defense, coaching)...
UConn will win because it's 20x4
Purdue will win because the loser of a 1v16 upset always wins the next year (Virginia)
NC State will win because every team winning 5 conf tournament games in 5 days wins the same year (UConn 2011)
Alabama is undefeated in Final 4 play :-)
Weird seeing NC State touted as a Cinderella given the media hype they seemed to get when my Terps were still rivals to them in the ACC.
A reminder of kurumi's prophecy from last year:
Quote from: kurumi on April 08, 2023, 02:13:20 PMAlso, there's a pattern in the seemingly-random championship runs.
First was 1999, then 2004: 5 years
Then 2011: 7 years
Then 2014: 3 years
Then 2023: 9 years
5, 7, 3, 9.
Next number in the sequence is 1, meaning they'll repeat.
But after that, 11 blissful years free of UConn bracket-busting.
But after that... the next number is -1. And that gets interesting.
Not saying it will come true, but there's a rather high chance.
Quote from: kurumi on April 01, 2024, 11:24:09 AM4 teams of destiny now; each with a reason to win it all. (even putting aside big centers, 3-point shooting, defense, coaching)...
UConn will win because it's 20x4
Purdue will win because the loser of a 1v16 upset always wins the next year (Virginia)
NC State will win because every team winning 5 conf tournament games in 5 days wins the same year (UConn 2011)
Alabama is undefeated in Final 4 play :-)
Funny how fate plays a huge role in the Final Four; we'll see who the last one standing is one week after tonight.
Quote from: jlam on April 01, 2024, 02:45:39 PMA reminder of kurumi's prophecy from last year:
Quote from: kurumi on April 08, 2023, 02:13:20 PMAlso, there's a pattern in the seemingly-random championship runs.
First was 1999, then 2004: 5 years
Then 2011: 7 years
Then 2014: 3 years
Then 2023: 9 years
5, 7, 3, 9.
Next number in the sequence is 1, meaning they'll repeat.
But after that, 11 blissful years free of UConn bracket-busting.
But after that... the next number is -1. And that gets interesting.
Not saying it will come true, but there's a rather high chance.
That exact post is why I chose UCONN. I trusted it and still do.
Will UCONN win a double title this year? We shall see.
Mike
Quote from: mgk920 on April 02, 2024, 01:02:48 AMWill UCONN win a double title this year? We shall see.
Mike
I win $575 if they don't.
Quote from: mgk920 on April 02, 2024, 01:02:48 AMWill UCONN win a double title this year? We shall see.
Mike
It happened in 2004, and again in 2014, so perhaps the Huskies are due again this year.
Well, there will not be a double Husky win this year. The UConn women's team narrowly lost to Iowa, so the final tomorrow will be between South Carolina and Iowa.
Quote from: Henry on April 03, 2024, 03:25:33 PMQuote from: mgk920 on April 02, 2024, 01:02:48 AMWill UCONN win a double title this year? We shall see.
Mike
It happened in 2004, and again in 2014, so perhaps the Huskies are due again this year.
If not, we say they won a year early.
Quote from: jeffandnicole on April 06, 2024, 05:54:34 PMQuote from: NWI_Irish96 on April 02, 2024, 07:07:32 AMQuote from: mgk920 on April 02, 2024, 01:02:48 AMWill UCONN win a double title this year? We shall see.
Mike
I win $575 if they don't.
Congrats.
Quote from: jeffandnicole on April 06, 2024, 05:54:34 PMQuote from: NWI_Irish96 on April 02, 2024, 07:07:32 AMQuote from: mgk920 on April 02, 2024, 01:02:48 AMWill UCONN win a double title this year? We shall see.
Mike
I win $575 if they don't.
Congrats.
Did someone pull a Heidi on the UConn/Alabama game?
Quote from: jeffandnicole on April 06, 2024, 05:54:34 PMQuote from: NWI_Irish96 on April 02, 2024, 07:07:32 AMQuote from: mgk920 on April 02, 2024, 01:02:48 AMWill UCONN win a double title this year? We shall see.
Mike
I win $575 if they don't.
Congrats.
So I misunderstood "win the double" to mean win back-to-back for the men. I still need UConn to lose Monday to win the money.
Quote from: NWI_Irish96 on April 07, 2024, 08:59:22 AMQuote from: jeffandnicole on April 06, 2024, 05:54:34 PMQuote from: NWI_Irish96 on April 02, 2024, 07:07:32 AMQuote from: mgk920 on April 02, 2024, 01:02:48 AMWill UCONN win a double title this year? We shall see.
Mike
I win $575 if they don't.
Congrats.
So I misunderstood "win the double" to mean win back-to-back for the men. I still need UConn to lose Monday to win the money.
(hehehe). <smile>
Mike
Glad I correctly predicted the title game matchup.
Quote from: epzik8 on April 07, 2024, 11:35:47 AMGlad I correctly predicted the title game matchup.
It's quite common when both teams are the one seed. I got both right (and 3 of final 4) for women, but kicked UConn early in favor of Auburn (I have Purdue).
Congratulations South Carolina women's team on an undefeated perfect season and a trophy!
Quote from: Hunty2022 on April 07, 2024, 05:42:47 PMCongratulations South Carolina women's team on an undefeated perfect season and a trophy!
Last year, when LSU beat Iowa in the final, all they talked about was how disrespected they felt at all the attention Caitlin Clark was getting. This year, when South Carolina beat Iowa in the final, all they talked about was how great Caitlan was and how much they appreciated everything she had done for their sport.
The quality of human beings leading each team and their respective athletic departments are reflected in the difference in those comments.
Quote from: NWI_Irish96 on April 07, 2024, 06:49:02 PMQuote from: Hunty2022 on April 07, 2024, 05:42:47 PMCongratulations South Carolina women's team on an undefeated perfect season and a trophy!
Last year, when LSU beat Iowa in the final, all they talked about was how disrespected they felt at all the attention Caitlin Clark was getting. This year, when South Carolina beat Iowa in the final, all they talked about was how great Caitlan was and how much they appreciated everything she had done for their sport.
The quality of human beings leading each team and their respective athletic departments are reflected in the difference in those comments.
Sports aren't about "thank you". I have no issues with how LSU reacted.
Also, standing on your defeated opponent's grave is commonplace in mens sports and nobody complains about it. Yet LSU had everyone bent out of shape.
The top overall seed UConn Huskies win the men's natty (again) 75-60 over Purdue
(https://i.imgur.com/wayS3Vy.jpeg)
I simplified the pattern. It's two patterns.
Every 12 years starting in 1999. Why? Year of the Rabbit. Dogs chase rabbits.
Every 10 years starting in 2004. This one I'm still figuring out.
Quote from: kurumi on April 09, 2024, 12:10:07 AMEvery 12 years starting in 1999. Why? Year of the Rabbit. Dogs chase rabbits.
Then why has Yale not been winning championships?
Quote from: kurumi on April 08, 2023, 02:13:20 PMFirst was 1999, then 2004: 5 years
Then 2011: 7 years
Then 2014: 3 years
Then 2023: 9 years
5, 7, 3, 9.
Next number in the sequence is 1, meaning they'll repeat.
Thank you. :)
———————————————
The Virginia Cavaliers remain the only NCAA Men's Basketball team to lose to the 16 seed, before winning it all the next year.
Congrats to UConn for winning their 5th championship.
Quote from: NWI_Irish96 on April 07, 2024, 08:59:22 AMQuote from: jeffandnicole on April 06, 2024, 05:54:34 PMQuote from: NWI_Irish96 on April 02, 2024, 07:07:32 AMQuote from: mgk920 on April 02, 2024, 01:02:48 AMWill UCONN win a double title this year? We shall see.
Mike
I win $575 if they don't.
Congrats.
So I misunderstood "win the double" to mean win back-to-back for the men. I still need UConn to lose Monday to win the money.
You're probably disappointed by now, because the men beat Purdue. In addition to being the first back-to-back champs since the 2006 and 2007 Florida Gators, UCONN has won a combined 17 men's and women's championships under four coaches (Geno Auriemma, Jim Calhoun, Kevin Ollie and Dan Hurley).