March Madness Update

March 27, 2023

        

“Where Tomorrow Begins”

Florida Atlantic University 

The Beach Boys are in the Final Four!  The Owls from Boca Raton accomplished what few would have thought possible.  On to the Final Four.  A public research university with 5 satellite campuses in south Florida. Founded in 1961.  Graduate level until 1984.  NASA, ocean research, and alumni to include Grand Funk Railroad’s drummer and founding member. 

FAU is now 35-3 on the year, hooting the best record of the year of all teams in the tournament.

Congratulations to pool participant Cyle Greening, the only entry with Florida Atlantic in the final four!

Game Highlights

The Elite Eight game one in the East Regional at the Garden pitted Florida Atlantic against Kansas State.  Conference USA vs. the Big 12.  This one started fast.  Up and down the court.  The Owls maintained a light lead through out of the first half and that’s where it concluded after twenty minutes with FAU leading 42-38.  20 rebounds to K State’s 7, but 12 turnovers kept it close.  Could have been a big lead, but alas only 4 points at the half.  The second half opened with a bang.  Bombs galore, circus shots, non-stop action. The Wildcats regained the lead and the action did not stop.  Loved the speed, the 3’s, the rebounds with authority, and the blocks.

No referee interference, stoppage of play, nor questionable calls.  Teams combined at this point for 43% from beyond the arc.  And KSU’s Marquis Nowell is a wizard and CAN’T be this good? 

At the six minute mark, FAU retook the lead 64-63. On the other side of the ball, the big Goldin Russian was dominant on the boards.  This one had all markings of a tremendous finish and wish they could play 2 out of 3. But in the final 5 minutes FAU put on a 15-1 run to take an 8 point lead with under 3 to go.  K State fought back and cut it to 3 with another Nowell bomb with under 2 minutes to go.  Fouls came in the fury and several stars took a seat with 5 infractions. Offensive rebounds were the key as Florida Atlantic ripped the boards. But with a minute left the Wildcats cut it again to a 3 point deficit. One point game with 22 seconds left.

Hearts a racing.  The crowd is into it. Michael Forrest to the line for FAU and calmly drops 2 free throws with 18 seconds left.  Assist by Nowell to Tomlin and back to 1 point with 8 seconds left.  FAU back to the free throw line. Michael Forrest again at the line.  Drains one, all net. Second free throw is GOOD!  Last chance for K State but time runs out as they can’t get off a shot. Despite 22 Owl turnovers in the game, it just didn’t matter.

Final score:  Florida Atlantic 79  Kansas State 76

The game to be of the Elite Eight pitted the Gonzaga Bulldogs against the Connecticut Huskies in the finals of the West Regional in Las Vegas. Prime time and the game most could not wait to watch. Slow start from the get go with poor percentage shooting early on both ends, the Huskies took an early lead.  Zags tie it at 15 a piece with 10 minutes to go in the half.  Gonzaga the #1 offense in the land not in sync, but UConn also missing their long range shots.  This game more conventional in approach.  Both teams equally matched, but all about the buckets and what goes in and what comes out.  Field goal percentage low on both sides but roughly equal.  Zags 1 for 9 from the 3 point line, UConn good with 5 of 16.  Half time score with the Huskies leading 39-32. UConn goes on an 8-0 run to open the half and had their biggest lead 44-32. 4th foul on Drew Timme with less than 3 minutes in spelled doom and gloom for the Bulldogs. The leading scorer in the NCAA tournament sent to the pine. Late night for the Bulldogs at Tao and Lavo?  The carnage ensued with the Zags down 18, then 25 with under 12 minutes to go.  31 with 7:30 to go.  Up to 33.  Huskies barking, Huskies jumping. Subs inserted into game with three plus minutes left. 

Final score:  Connecticut 82  Gonzaga 54

Sunday’s action saw #6 Creighton pitted against San Diego State in the South Regional in Louisville, Kentucky.  Winner advances to the final dance.  Steady game throughout the first half with Creighton holding a small lead throughout. SDSU tied the game with 2 minutes to go at 28. Final two minutes saw Creighton pull out to a lead and go into the locker room up 33-28.  Stats respectable for both teams at the break.  The second half opened with the Aztecs taking their first lead since the opening minutes, now 34-33.  At the 10 minute mark, Creighton led 43-39 in a low scoring and relatively dull game.  Or what were you watching? Got more exciting down the stretch.  4 minutes to go and game now tied at 50 a piece. Aztecs get the fortuitous bounce and a defensive rebound with 33 seconds left, holding a 2 point lead. Game again tied 56-56.  Aztecs start the drive with 7 seconds left.  Consecutive timeouts to discuss.  Now ball is back in play.  Bum call by the ref with a second left. Decided the game. Shot missed but a hand on the left hip as the shot is taken, and a FOUL called!  Darrion Trammell on the line. Misses the first, but drains the second. SDSU up one.  A desperation heave by Creighton goes out of bounds. Game called with a stopwatch to check the replay against the video.  Say what?

Final Score:  San Diego State 57  Creighton 56

Congratulations to the following March Madness participants who chose San Diego State to make it to the final four:  Jeff Huelson, Alex Tullar, Mitchell Shelton, and Grant Gilles, Ty and Jessie Weber.

Last game of the day, in the Midwest Regional, saw the last remaining #2 seed (no #3 seeds even) the Texas Longhorns face off against another team from the south beach, the Miami Hurricanes. A final spot in the final four on the line with this one.  Early March Madness leader, Chris Cleary in attendance at the game today in Kansas City. 21 points off the bench for Texas in the first half. Seven 3 point shots hit, gave Texas a 45-37 point half time lead. Miami lit it up in the second half after being down 10, to take the lead and now all tied at 77 each with under 3 minutes to go.  Ferocious. Living up to the billing.  Jordan Miller leading the Canes.  A hurricane explosion. Perfect from the line and the field. 23 points with a minute to go. 27 in the end. All perfect from the field and at the free throw line.  Unreal.  Miami takes the lead 81-79 under a minute. Then up by 4.  Texas last stand, but all Cane Sugar from here.  Come back from 13 points in the second half.  Miami advances to the Final Four!

Final score:  Miami 87  Texas 81

Highest seed left in the tournament is UConn at #4.  Joined by two #5’s and a #9.  Upsets rule.

Charity Information

Totals are yet to come but it WILL be a banner year.  In the last several years, contributions have been outstanding and keep us coming back year after year.  $165,000 to multiple charitable organizations (like over 40 separate charities) since 1997, not including several thousands of dollars in grant money given to several worthwhile organizations directed through the March Madness Foundation and the Community Foundation most every year soon after its inception. (for the entire history of charity giving, please visit the website at www.garygurtcheff.com and click on the link to charity history.) Here is a recent recap since 2016.  The pool money distributed has grown thanks to all of you.

2016: $15,000 total given to 5 organizations (record giving)

2017: $11,000 total given to 3 organizations

2018: $10,500 total given to 4 organizations

2019: $10,600 total given to 4 organizations

2020: No Tournament

2021: $12,000 total given to 4 organizations

2022: $13,000 total given to 3 organizations

2023:  ?????? (accounting in progress)

Much appreciated and thanks to the participants who gave extra donations.  Recognition in a future update.  Aside, thanks to everyone for participating as a bulk of your simple paid entry goes to charity.  

Current Pool Top Ten Standings after Round 4 Sunday night

First Place:    Cyle Greening (Needs a wise Owl in the Semifinals to secure victory)

2nd:        Jax the Dog (Bratton of course)

3rd:        Bev Friedman (How about that Rick?)

4th        Chris Cleary (Saved by Miami. How was the game? Back in contention)

5th        Jeff Huelson (Oh so close)

6th         Greg Willing (As well.  Frame it.  Thanks for the charitable support over time)

7th        Ty Weber (SDSU in the final four. Cinderella story)

8th        Austin Bratton (Actually Ryker the 8th month old. Destined to be a bookmaker)

9th         Michael Brown (Hanging around until the end.  Great run.)

10th        John Cummins (Indian Hill High School. Cincinnati.  My teenage pal)

        Norah Shipman (Mert is out of the country. Negotiating for the government)

Last Place:    Wyatt Barnett (Shameful, but whatever it takes! $$ for you)

Most Honorable Mention:  Travis Farhar (You were the worst who tried to be the worst! No $$)    

Last Minute Commentary

See What iI Scenarios to see how the top ten will shake out based on the next 3 games.

There are five (5) Bratton entries in the top 28 at the current time. Unprecedented. 

Former champion, Keith Bratton with a 12.5% chance to win it all, with Vegas odds on his  side. Cyle Greening who had FAU in the final four looking for an upset in the semifinals and Revy Bevy needs San Diego State over UConn.

        -You have power over your mind - not outside events.  Realize this, and you will find strength”.    - Marcus Aurelius