Madness of March

Number of Tournament Games Remaining: 0

IT IS OVER

Tournament Status: Championship, Day 10 COMPLETE

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Hat Pool 2	Pick 16
Hat Pool 3	Rankem
Hat Pool 4

Florida Gators are Champions

Steal the victory from Houston, 65-63

From marchmadman

Updated 04/08/25, 12:50am

What a way to end a game. By failing to get a shot off.

With Houston down 2 points in the closing seconds of the game and possession of the ball, one of the shortest guys on the floor, Florida s Walter Clayton Jr. - contests a three-point shot by Houston s Emanual Sharp in attempt to win the game, forcing Sharp to react by shooting the ball into the ground instead of getting blocked. Sharp could not touch the ball or it would be a turnover (once both feet leave the floor, you can only shoot or pass you cannot dribble).

Florida comes up with the ball in the end, similar to how they won their championship.

Florida led for only 1 minute and 3 seconds throughout the game, including the last 19 seconds.

But only the last second matters.

Same with all of our pools.

Final Standings for all pools have been updated. Winners will be notified shortly.

Hope your pool experience was enjoyable, even if you did not win. Although the tournament was rather chalky, there were plenty of great games. And just as in the real Tournament, in our pools, you need to win to win. Congrats if you did!

I, of course, did not again.

For those that love the NCAA Tournament, here is the link to this year's "One Shining Moment".

The lyrics are decent, the melody and tone suck, but the images are great.

Championship tonight

Florida vs. Houston

From marchmadman

Updated 04/07/25, 6:00am

The Championship game is tonight, tipoff at 8:50pm, with coverage beginning at 8:00pm on CBS.

Will Kelvin Sampson and Houston win their first National Championship for both, or will Florida win its third national championship and first for young Florida coach Todd Golden.

Todd Golden is 39 years old and is in his third year as Florda s head coach. In his first year as Florida s coach, they lost in the first round of the NIT. Last year, they lost in the First Round of the NCAA tournament.

Golden started his head coaching career with San Francisco in 2019 where he coached for three seasons before becoming Florida s head coach. In his third and final season with San Francisco, the Don s lost in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

Prior to this run to the championship game, Golden lost every post-season game he had coached.

Kelvin Sampson is the elder statesman being 69 years old. By the time Golden was born, Sampson already had 4 years of head coaching experience under his belt.

Sampson s first appearance in the Tournament was as the head coach at Washington State in 1994, but he is best known for coaching Oklahoma from 1994-2006 where he made the post season every one of those 12 seasons. However, his years at Oklahoma were not exactly squeaky clean.

Under Sampson's watch, Oklahoma was placed under a three-year investigation by the NCAA for recruiting violations. At the end of their investigation, the NCAA issued a report citing more than 550 illegal calls made by Sampson and his staff. The NCAA barred Sampson from recruiting off campus and making phone calls for one year, ending May 24, 2007.

With the writing on the wall, Sampson bolted and left one troubled program for another he headed to Indiana to take over for Mike Davis (the Indiana coach after Bobby Knight). Indiana not being shy of troubled coaches hired Sampson knowing full well of Sampson s past troubles and NCAA sanctions imposed on him, not just Oklahoma.

Sampson did not change his ways (I guess assuming he thought behaving poorly was the Hoosier way). In February of his second season at Indiana, the NCAA informed Indiana that Sampson had knowingly violated telephone recruiting restrictions and then lied about it. Two weeks later, he was fired. The NCAA then essentially banned Sampson from coaching in the NCAA for the next five seasons. So, Sampson spent the next six years as an assistant coach in the NBA.

In 2014, the first year Sampson was eligible to coach again, Houston hired him as their head coach. Since then, Sampson has led the Cougars to five conference regular season titles, two conference titles, and six NCAA tournament appearances.

In today s NIL era, Sampson s previous violations seem like jaywalking.

So, will you root for the young coach from Florida who moonlights as a robot popper on the socials,

Or the old coach from Houston who has some skeletons in his closet?

Who among us doesn t have a few skeletons in our closet or tried robot dancing at least once in the mirror alone?

[my sources say that Golden is not the robot popper, but I m not buying that]

GOOD STUFF

Bracket Pool

Hat Pool

Misc Pools

Tournament News

Team Spotlight

Bracket Pool Rules, Entry Forms, Deadlines & Standings

Noteworthy Brackets, Mover & Losers, and other humbling bracket statistics.

Hat Pool Rules, Your Picks, Deadlines & Standings

We added some pools last year. We'll try them again this year.

Conference Championships

Selection Committee Rankings

Saint Mary's Gaels

We give PROPS to those that deserve it. And humiliate those that don't.

Everybody has an equal chance here. Your pick can lose and you STILL might advance to the next round. How does that work? We play the spreads. Check it out!

This is the real stuff. You might not care about most of it, but I weed out the junk and give you the good stuff, Baby!

This school usually finishes second to Gonzaga. They sound familiar, but like Gonzaga, you have no idea where they are located.

Bracket Pool >>

Hat Pool >>

Miscellaneous Pools >>

Tournament News >>

Saint Mary's Gaels >>

TOURNAMENT NEWS

Headlines

Stat(s) of the Day (cont)

Quote(s) of the Day

Updated 04/07/25, 11:50pm

ESPN.com

Florida rallies once again to beat Houston for title

House settlement inches closer to final approval

Jenkins sues NCAA for limiting pay while at Nova

Auburn's Pettiford to enter draft pool, stay eligible

McMillan introduced at TAMU: Here to win titles

LSU taps Bucks exec Dupree for new GM job

Williams sets scoring mark as Huskers win CBC

Stat(s) of the Day

Updated 04/07/25, 11:30pm

Florida s Todd Golden becomes the youngest coach (39) to win a National Championship since Jim Valvano (37) in 1983.

Florida led for only 1 minute and 3 seconds during the entire game.

Florida is the only school with 3 basketball and 3 football national championships.

Houston was up by 12 points in the second half.

Updated 04/05/25, 11:55pm

Houston will be playing in their third championship game. They have most Final 4 appearances without ever winning the championship.

If Houston wins the championship, Kelvin Sampson will be the oldest national championship coach of all time.

Updated 03/30/25, 8:00pm

Houston is making its 7th Final 4 appearance.

Auburn is making its 2nd Final 4 appearance.

This is only the second time since the field expanded in 1985 that all four Final 4 teams are No. 1 seeds. The other was 2008, also in San Antonio.

The makeup of the Final 4:

2 SEC teams

1 Big 12

1 ACC

Updated 03/30/25, 2:40pm

11 upsets through the Elite 8 is the fewest number of upsets since the tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985.

Updated 03/29/25, 12:15pm

With three No. 1 vs. No. 2 showdowns and a No. 1 vs. No. 3 matchup in the regional finals, this year's seed total of 13 in the Elite Eight matches the 2007 field as the best-ever in NCAA Tournament history.

Lowest Sum of Seeds in Elite 8 since seeding began in 1979:

13: 2025, 2007

14: 2009

18: 2019, 1995, 1993

Updated 03/24/25, 12:30am

The makeup of the Sweet 16:

7 SEC teams (a record)

4 Big Ten

4 Big 12

1 ACC

Updated 03/21/25, 8:30pm

Duke is the only ACC team in the Round of 32.

It's the first time since the NCAA started allowing multiple teams from the same conference into the NCAA tournament in 1975 that the ACC will have one or fewer teams in the Round of 32.

Updated 03/19/25, 11:50pm

2008: Only time all four No. 1 seeds made Final 4.

Duke: 15th time they have been a No. 1 seed.

Updated 03/18/25, 10:00pm

Multiple Bid Conferences

SEC	14 (previous record was 11)
Big Ten	8
Big 12	7
Big East	5
ACC	4
Mountain West	4
West Coast	2

Updated 04/06/25, 5:15pm

"It's the play Coach drew up," Duke s Cooper Flagg said. "Took it into the paint. Thought I got my feet set, rose up. Left it short, obviously. A shot I'm willing to live with in the scenario."

"Cooper is the best player in the country, and when you get the best player in the country in the spot he likes, it's really as simple as that. We got exactly what we wanted," Duke senior Sion James said. "Sometimes shots go down; sometimes they don't. That one didn't."

Updated 04/04/25, 11:55pm

Auburn's star Johni Broome took a hard fall against Michigan State on Sunday and didn't practice this week until Thursday because of an injured elbow. Broome's right elbow was padded and then wrapped in a sleeve that stretched from his right bicep down to his wrist.

"Our medical staff did an unbelievable job this week of just making sure that he was as comfortable as he possibly could," Auburn assistant coach Steven Pearl said. "Every time Florida had a chance, they were hitting that [elbow], and that's part of the game. And Johni, to his credit, played through that physicality, played through that contact and was still able to have a really effective game."

Updated 04/04/25, 1:30pm

UConn coach Geno Auriemma said he was "humbled" by his team's performance.

"It's amazing how it played out," Auriemma said. "When you go in there, you don't expect, 'Hey, we're going to win by 35 points tonight.' I mean, that's, oh my god. That is just so, so unrealistic."

"It does feel like the two most prominent programs right now in women's college basketball are playing for the right to be national champions," Auriemma said. "And we both deserve it."

He is correct.

CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS

SELECTION COMMITTEE SEED LIST

Updated 04/07/25, 11:30pm

2025 Conference Champions
Conference	Final (TV) / Champion
ACC	Duke (31-3)
America East	Bryant (23-11)
American	Memphis (29-5)
ASUN	Lipscomb (25-9)
Atlantic 10	VCU (28-6)
Big 12	Houston (30-4)
Big East	St. John's (30-4)
Big Sky	Montana (25-9)
Big South	High Point (29-5)
Big Ten	Michigan (25-9)
Big West	UC San Diego (30-4)
Coastal Athletic	UNCW (27-7)
Conference USA	Liberty (28-6)
Horizon League	Robert Morris (25-8)
Ivy	Yale (22-7)
MAAC	Mount St. Mary's (22-12)
MAC	Akron (28-6)
MEAC	Norfolk State (24-10)
Missouri Valley	Drake (30-3)
Mountain West	Colorado State (25-9)
Northeast	Saint Francis (15-17)
Ohio Valley	SIUE (22-11)
Patriot	American (22-12)
SEC	Florida (30-4)
Southern	Wofford (19-15)
Southland	McNeese (27-6)
Summit	Omaha (22-12)
Sun Belt	Troy (23-10)
SWAC	Alabama State (19-15)
WAC	Grand Canyon (26-7)
WCC	Gonzaga (25-8)

Conference Champions Combined Record

First Four: 2-2

First Round: 9-20

Second Round: 4-5

Sweet 16: 3-1

Elite 8: 3-0

Final 4: 2-1

Championship: 1-1

Updated 04/07/25, 11:30pm

Rk	Team	Record	Rk	Team	Record
1	Auburn	28-5	33	Creighton	24-10
2	Duke	31-3	34	Georgia	20-12
3	Houston	30-4	35	Baylor	19-14
4	Florida	30-4	36	Oklahoma	20-13
5	Tennessee	27-7	37	Arkansas	20-13
6	Alabama	25-8	38	New Mexico	26-7
7	Michigan St	27-6	39	Vanderbilt	20-12
8	St. John's	30-4	40	Utah State	26-7
9	Texas Tech	25-8	41	Texas	19-15
10	Iowa State	24-9	42	Xavier	21-11
11	Kentucky	22-11	43	San Diego St	21-9
12	Wisconsin	26-9	44	Drake	30-3
13	Texas A&M	22-10	45	VCU	28-6
14	Purdue	22-11	46	North Carolina	22-13
15	Maryland	25-8	47	UC San Diego	30-4
16	Arizona	22-12	48	Colorado St	25-9
17	Michigan	25-9	49	McNeese	27-6
18	Clemson	27-6	50	Liberty	28-6
19	Oregon	24-9	51	Yale	22-7
20	Memphis	29-5	52	High Point	29-5
21	BYU	24-9	53	Akron	28-6
22	Illinois	21-12	54	Grand Canyon	26-7
23	Missouri	22-11	55	Lipscomb	25-9
24	Mississippi	22-11	56	Troy	23-10
25	UCLA	22-10	57	UNCW	27-7
26	Marquette	23-10	58	Montana	25-9
27	Saint Mary's	28-5	59	Robert Morris	26-8
28	Kansas	21-12	60	Wofford	19-15
29	Louisville	27-7	61	Omaha	22-12
30	Gonzaga	25-8	62	Bryant	23-11
31	UConn	23-10	63	Norfolk St.	24-10
32	Mississippi St	21-12	64	SIUE	22-11
			65	American	22-12
			66	Mount St Mary's	22-12
			67	Alabama St.	19-15
			68	Saint Francis	16-17

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

WOMEN'S SCHEDULE

Updated 04/07/25, 11:30pm

Florida Men s National Champions

Updated 04/06/25, 9:00pm

UConn Women s National Champions

2025 TEAM PROFILES

Saint Mary's Gaels

This school usually finishes second to Gonzaga. They kind of sound familiar, but like Gonzaga, you have no idea where they are located.

And what's a Gael?

Drake Bulldogs

Another one of the six teams named "Bulldogs" in this year's tournament ", this one might be the best.

They have 31-3 record, including wins over FGCU, Miami, FAU, Vanderbilt, and Kansas State.

And they are essentially a Division II team.

Bryant Bulldogs

This school is one of six teams named "Bulldogs" in this year's tournament. You probably know the least about this one. Like, which state it is in.

Their website does not make me want to visit.

UNCW Seahawks

A former Seahawk player is a current Tournament coach - a coach you probably do not like.

Also find out what my connection to this campus is.

I love it!

American Eagles

The committee has this team as the fourth worst in the field.

Find out why I am rooting for this team and what the connection I have with this team (it's pretty loose, but it matters to me)

High Point Panthers

This school spares no expense on its basketball facilities.

It might be their first appearance in the Tournament, but probably not their last.

This purple is better than Lipscomb purple.

Lipscomb Bisons

The plural of Bison is apparently now Bisons.

Lipscomb Academy teaches it that way.

And purple is the new black.

Saint Francis (PA) Red Flash

This school, located apparently somewhere in Pennsylvania, actually has an NCAA tournament win but it technically it does not. Play-in games in 1991 do not count. They still shouldn't. And the Red Flash will likely be participating there again.

Go Friars! I mean go Red Flash!

SIUE Cougars

Should I or U Even care university?

That's probably not what SIUE stands for. But we still probably don't care.

2024 TEAM PROFILES

Gonzaga Bulldogs

We all know of Gonzaga's success since the 1990s. They are the mid-major Blueblood.

But how does getting Munsoned tie into this program?

Grand Canyon Antelopes

This school is NOWHERE near the Grand Canyon.

It also has beach volleyball, and it's even father from the beach.

Oakland Golden Grizzlies

Not from Oakland, California.

Not even located in any town called Oakland.

Guess which state.

Think vroom, vroom.

Longwood Lancers

This school started off as an all-female school.

It's not anymore.

Quick guess where it's located.

And, no, it's not Longwood Gardens, Pennsylvania

Florida Atlantic Owls

Well, we know who they are now since their Cinderella run to last year's Final 4. Last year they were a #9 seed. This year they are a #8 seed. Will #16 Stetson do them a favor and knock off #1 UConn like #16 FDU did last year to #1 Purdue? Not counting on it.

Samford Bulldogs

Bet you don't know what state these guys are in either.

Their band is not as good as Grambling's.

Not a lot of noteworthy stuff except for Bucky Ball.

Grambling State Tigers

Bet you don't know what state they are in.

You probably have never heard much about them since this is their first Tournament appearance.

But, you might have heard about their marching band.

Wagner Seawhawks

Wagner is in Staten Island. Not exactly the island that comes to mind when thinking island getaway.

NYC, you think rats. But Staten Island has a wild turkey problem. Google that.

Montana State Bobcats

This is Montana State University, not University of Montana.

Is Montana really big enough for more than one college?

But they were National Champs!

But were they?

Stetson Hatters

What do cowboys, Philadelphia, and Florida have in common.

Nothing. Absolutely Nothing.

Well, something.

2025 MM ARTICLES

04/07/25

Robot Poppin

Florida s coach moonlights as a social media robot poppin dancer. At least I think he does.

04/06/25

THAT was a Final 4

Duke blew a 14-point lead and lost to Houston in the Final 4.

Everyone is heartbroken.

04/05/25

Final 4 is tonight

Hopefully the men's Final Four is more exciting than the women's Final Four was. Not sure if it could beat the 1983 championship game though. Somebody hug Valvano.

04/04/25

Women's Final 4

Lights out, aha

Blast, blast, blast

03/30/25

He kinda looks like him

Anyone else think Auburn's Johni Broome looks a little like Burt Reynolds? Burt was a college athlete, playing football for Florida State.

03/30/25

Villanova gets a W(illard)

Maryland's coach Kevin Willard turned down $6M to head to Villanova. In unrelated news, Villanova announces tuition increases of 250%.

03/30/25

Duke sucks

Even though they are going to Final 4, there's no way I would make this article all about Duke.

03/29/25

B1G falls flat

Big Ten teams finished 1-3 in Sweet 16.

03/28/25

Zzzzz

If a game goes into overtime and nobody is awake to watch it, did it really happen?

03/27/25

Is that grass greener?

It sure is when that grass is covered with cash.

The portal is open.

03/27/25

Sweet 16 is tonight

The other games this week were not worth skipping bingo night for. Tonight's games are.

03/24/25

Barker not enough

Sarah Ashlee Barker's career high of 45 points was not enough to beat Maryland women's team. But she is related to a somewhat famous Barker.

03/24/25

Maryland was due

After losing 4 games at the buzzer, it's about time we won one.

And it was NOT A TRAVEL.

"Give me the M-F ball."

03/22/25

This tastes chalky

Which horse are you betting on?

03/21/25

Do you like the Drake?

"I hate the Drake."

"How can you not like the Drake?

03/20/25

Where is Wichita?

A game there started just about midnight (ET).

It better be in Hawaii.

03/20/25

We are underway

Enjoy the games from home or from work.

It's family and team bonding.

03/20/25

Hot Darn, It's coming tonight!

You can win a major award!

But not a leg lamp nor bowling alley.

03/19/25

Breaking Bad(ly)

Texas coach Rodney Terry is on the hot seat.

He should look very worried.

03/19/25

Clock is ticking

Whatever method you use to pick your bracket, do it now.,

You are running out of time!

And Duke screwed Maryland again.

03/18/25

PA half gone

Saint Francis eliminated in first game of Tournament.

Up to Robert Morris to carry PA Pride.

03/18/25

Tournament starts tonight

But not really.

They are just the play-in games.

03/17/25

Happy St. Patty's Day

Jesus, Mary and Joseph that sounds like really bad odds.

But you do not need to be perfect to win.

03/16/25

Up and running

All pools are now available. Invite your friends and family.

Just make sure they pay.

03/16/25

Formal invitations

Formal invitations are coming tonight. You do not have to be a darling to get one.

03/09/25

Welcome Back

The 70's must have SUUUUUUUUUCKED.

Good thing this does not.

03/11/25

2024

Did 2024 disappoint you? Not sure? Can't remember? Check out 2024 news stories. Or not.

03/31/16

Donuts not required

The "Donut Rule" is NOT in place this season.

But feel free to tip your waiter - going rate is 90%.

Any and all rules for any Madness of March pool may change at any time up to the tip-off of the first game of that pool.

Any changes will be posted on this and/or its respective website.

#GoTerps #UNCW #WeAre