March Madness 2013
March Madness Update II
March 31, 2013
Syracuse vs. Michigan
Louisville vs. Wichita State
Happy Easter to all!! With but four teams remaining, itʼs still wide open in the
March Madness top ten and overall champion honors. A wild tournament ride as but one #1
seed remains. The quarterfinals were hardly close as each winner jumped out to a huge
lead. Only The Ohio State University made it somewhat close near the end, but sad for
Buckeye nation, as just another disappointment for what looked like an easy road to the
finals. The Scarlet looked gray as they followed Indianaʼs lead in not showing up for the
game. Only Michigan holds the possible key to a Big Ten national championship. Easter
blessings came early for Syracuse and Wichita State. And the Easter bunny was also
kind to Louisville as Duke laid a big blue egg. Tears fall for Blue Devil nation as the
weasel must wait til 2014 for another run at the Wizard of Westwood. Wow! We have two
#4 seeds and an unlikely #9 in the final run.
Syracuse 55
Marquette 39
An NCAA record low scoring total by Marquette since the institution of the shot
clock in 1986. 23% from the floor doomed the Golden Eagles (werenʼt they the
Warriors??) of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Syracuse says goodbye to the Big East in a big
way. Smothering defense, averaging 6.5 blocked shots in the tournament, and 11 steals
through the 4 games. After dispatching the Indiana Hoosiers (local groans), the politically
correct Orange (werenʼt they the Orangemen??) didnʼt miss a beat as this one wasnʼt
close. Capital punishment was liberal, as even Obama was in the crowd. Hey, but what
more important things are there to do in Washington, DC, these days?
Wichita State 70
Ohio State 66
The Shockers this time were true to their name, baking Buckeyes in the California
sun. Ohio State missed their first 7 shots, and looked the part of the nervous underdog,
failing to take advantage of what made them dominant this year. Like Indiana, no shots fell
and the hole they dug became too deep. Down 20 points in the second half, a furious
comeback to within 3 with two minutes to go just wasnʼt to be. Wichita State proves to
be the best team in Kansas this tournament, as favored Kansas and Kansas State fell out
before the elite eight . Having already upset Gonzaga, Wichita State is on the fast track and
brings back memories of Larry Bird and Indiana State. First Missouri Valley conference
appearance in the final four since 1979. Seriously, are you kidding me? Answer this.
Which team beat Wichita State twice this year? The Purple Aces of Evansville. Here,
here. Cheers to the home town team! Hey, we beat that team twice this year. Just
another reason you just never know come tournament time.
Michigan 79
Florida 79
Not since the Fab Five in 1993 has Michigan put on some kind of run.
Congratulations to the team we from Columbus love to hate. But like a brother you couldnʼt
stand, deep down, you want them to show the world. Three freshman starters return the
Wolverines to the final four. Not the team most would have expected to be the Big Tenʼs
sole representative. But hey, the were at one point #1 in the nation this year. A four seed
seems a bit low. Case closed. Baby frosh, Nick Strauskas goes 6 for 6 from the 3-point
line and they never looked back. Gators donʼt know what bit their tails, having ended the
Cinderella run of the Gulf Coast Dunk City Soaring Eagles. Could this be fate?
Everyone knows the Big Ten was the dominant conference this year (Big East fans are
laughing now), but it took a Jordan-esque performance by Trey Burke in dispatching the
Kansas Jayhawks in an incredible comeback to get this chance.
Louisville 85
Duke 63
The Cardinals prove worthy of the #1 overall seed looking dominant. Of the top 12
seeded teams in the tournament, only Louisville remains. Yum Yum, come get you some.
Children and the weak of heart had to close their eyes in the first half of this one, and not
because of the score. Joe Theismann, Tim Krumrie, and Sam Bowie know what itʼs like and
it wasnʼt pretty. Kevin Ware in an attempt to block a shot came down awkwardly and
snapped his tibia in open fashion. A ten minute delay and tears falling all around, “Just win,
just win”, was enough in the second half as Louisville outscored Duke by 19 in the final 20
minutes and dedicated the game to their fallen comrade. All I know, is if I know, I know that
he is at Methodist Hospital as we speak in surgery, perhaps by one of my mentors, who is
implanting a rod in his leg, from below his knee to above his ankle, and he will be back
before you might think. Letʼʼs pray that is true, as what a tragedy. Kevin played his high
school ball in Georgia, and he will rally his troops in Atlanta come next weekend. Duke
Coach, Mike Kryzewgjezooski with 11 final four appearances, fails to match John Wooden
from UCLA in an NCAA record 12th. My Cash Man is on the ʻVille. Hey Pisano? Where
do you live? What city? No faith in the home town team? Do we really need the
Shockers over Michigan to become the first husband and wife team to win two March
Madness crowns, and benefit the charities?
Charity Update
Our March Madness Endowment Fund, Friends of Warrick CASA, and The
Dream Center of Evansville are our beneficiaries this year. I would like to thank all of you
to date who have donated extra money to help the cause. We will recognize those of you
who have donated extra but each year the money keeps coming in, so yʼall with have to
wait and there is still time to get on the list. Please consider an extra donation if you havenʼt
already done so. Make us want to keep the tournament going. Please make additional
checks payable to one of the charities, or to me for that matter and I will forward the donation
if its easier. And for those of you for whom I have yet to receive your entry donation (you
know whom you are), donʼt be a slacker, and for your delay, itʼs only fitting to donate a bit
extra. If so, weʼll keep you on the email list! Return to the welcome page on the top of the
garygurtcheff.com website for more details on the charities and where to forward your check.
Tournament Recap
The numbers still are unofficial, but we are looking at a definite record and the possibilities of
450 entrees give or take. Accounting central is a bit behind but like in years gone by your
checks will be noted, emails sent if needed, and your checks cashed in due time. Next
year, if there is a next year (up to you), we hope to streamline the process.
Brian Pyfferroen leads the field. Oh my, he was a lock. Now we arenʼt so sure. Early
prognostic genius, but 7 of 8 leads to 2 of 4. Sugamama is runner up so far.
Long distance award for tournament entry goes to Jack Cleary who was on a
Caribbean/ South American cruise ship when he placed his entries. Funny, he entered a
few times, each time in a different port of call. Rostan in my blood is currently in 13th
place. Good luck Jack and all your Kansas friends in your mini pool. I think however
Wildcat Brad may wear the crown this year amongst the KC crowd. Whatʼs that get?
Free Royals tickets? But hey, at least the Chiefs will be better this year? I mean, even
Alex Smith is in our pool, currently in 5th place
What if scenarios are posted. Apologies for web server problems this year. Best of luck
in the weekend to come. The race is still wide open. But has Travis Farhar won last
place?? Stay tuned!
Current Leader board after Round 4
(the following is my favorite part of what we do, you know?)
1st Brian Pyfferoen
(Takes a foot long divot on Florida. Caddies donʼt take Sundays off!)
2nd Sherri Daniels
(Enjoy it now Sugamama. Shocking you didnʼt go one more game)
3rd John Miles
(Hannah Banana did better than you. Allowance increase?)
4th Chris Casaburo
(I hear ties from Italy are really special. Cell phones work. Friends donʼt let
friends, oh forget it)
5th Alex Smith
(Sherwood J adds another “Smith” to the list. Oh Smitty where for art thou?)
6th Eric Miller
(You are way too shy. Caution should be thrown to the wind. Optimism is
for those whoʼve never arenʼt used to second place every time)
Bill Vukovich
(Friends in this life. Money the next!)
8th Chris Lowe
(WildCat Brad says go away newbie Kansas man. Carry on)
9th John Anoskey
(Welcome back Kotter. Never forget those things that bring you true joy)
Grace Shymanski
(Die by the devil in you. So sad to see you go.)
Last Travis Farhar
(2010 repeat?)
“You may never know what you truly had until it is gone.
Appreciate the ones who care the most about you and show it every day.”
The nets will burn in Atlanta!!!!