2019 NCAA Tournament Pool Standings - Elite 8/Day 2

Wow - oh wow!  So the greatness of Saturday's games continued through to Sunday's last two Elite 8 games.  All four of the quarterfinals were incredible, and the total point differential was 18.  In our first game, SEC rivals Auburn and Kentucky squared off in Kansas City for the right to go to the Final Four.  Auburn, behind 26 from Jared Harper and 24 from Bruce Brown overcame the loss of Chuma Ekeke to an ACL injury in the previous game to defeat the Wildcats 77-71 in overtime.  The Wildcats, who received 28 points and 13 rebounds from their All-American P.J. Washington, did not receive enough help from their freshman wings Keldon Johnson and Tyler Herro, who combined for 21 points, but on 8-24 shooting.  Hopefully this convinces Herro to stay in school another year.  Congratulations to Auburn alumna Jenni Garrison, who was gracious enough to watch the game with me - despite me being a Kentucky fan.

And in the second game - DOWN GOES FRAZIER!!!  Our overwhelming favorite - the Duke Blue Devil - fell to the Big 10 champion Michigan State Spartans 68-67.  Zion Williamson scored 24 (with 14 rebounds) in the loss, to become the first freshman to score 100 points in the tournament since Derrick Rose in 2008 - and Rose played in 6 games as his Memphis Tigers lost in the championship game to the Kansas Jayhawks.  Much like Rose, Williamson will be going straight to the pros after his freshman year.  Michigan State was led by Big 10 Player of the Year Cassius Winston and his 20 points and 10 assists.  Incidentally, Duke haters often complain about how they feel referees favor the Blue Devils.  Ironically enough, it was the lack of fouls against Duke that ended up hurting them in the end, as they did not have enough fouls called on them to send Michigan State to the free throw line, costing time.  But, make no mistake about it, this was no fluke as Michigan State earned the win that narrowly escaped Virginia Tech and UCF.

Congratulations to Auburn and Michigan State.  See you in Minneapolis.

Today's history lesson came to me by virtue of a meandering mind that started with the state from above - Zion Williamson being the first freshman to score 100 points in a tournament since Derrick Rose.  That led me to an article that ranked the top freshman in NCAA history.  This Bleacher Report article had the following players listed:  (1) Carmelo Anthony - legendary run and NCAA Champion; (2) Kevin Durant - too recent for me to write about; (3) Pervis Ellison - already referenced him briefly this tournament; (4) Michael Beasley - too bizarre; (5) Chris Webber - also too recent, and I don't want to have to reference his failed time out; (6) Magic Johnson - too obvious; and (7) Wayman Tisdale - Perfect.  Rounding out the top 20 - Greg Oden, Kenny Anderson, Jason Kidd, Chris Jackson, Mark Aguirre, Omar Cook, Derrick Coleman, Patrick Ewing, Pete Padgett, Derick Rose, Bobby Hurley, Kevin Love and Luol Deng.  I don't want to see how long I have to read to get to Anthony Davis!!!!  (Hint - It is number 40 - RIDICULOUSLY LOW).

But, back to Wayman Tisdale.  Tisdale, from Tulsa, Oklahoma, went to the University of Oklahoma as a much-heralded recruit.  A 6'9", 245 pound power forward, Tisdale, averaged 24.5 points and 10.3 rebounds per game as a freshman.  After his first season, Tisdale was named the Big Eight Conference Player of the Year, a title he would hold for all 3 of his seasons with the Sooners from 1982-1985.  He was also named to the A.P. All-America first team each of his three season with the Sooners, the first person in college history to hold that honor.  He also starred on the 1984 Olympic team that won the gold medal in Los Angeles.  Other stars on that team included Michael Jordan, Patrick Ewing, Chris Mullin, Alvin Robertson and Sam Perkins.  Notable cuts from that team included Charles Barkley, Johnny Dawkins, John Stockton and Chuck Person - three of which I have written a bit about in this year's tournament summaries.  Barkley was cut despite being on of the two best players at the trials - along with Jordan - simply because of a personality conflict with head coach Bobby Knight.  Even Michael Jordan has said he would not have played had he known what Knight was going to act like.

Once again, back to Tisdale.  Leaving college after his junior year, the Indiana Pacers drafted Tisdale second overall, behind only Patrick Ewing.  Tisdale played 12 years in the NBA for 3 separate franchises before retiring after the 1997 season.

Tisdale was the first player in Oklahoma history - IN ANY SPORT - to have his number retired.  Blake Griffin later came along and received permission from the school to wear Tisdale's number 23, but only after asking Tisdale's blessing for his request first.   The annual freshman on the year award is called the Wayman Tisdale award.

What makes Tisdale interesting to me, however, is what he did after basketball.  Although an amazing basketball player, his first love was always music, and he was a talented jazz musician, playing primarily bass.  His first album, Power Forward, debuted in 1995, and he released 8 albums total, including Face to Face in 2001, which rose to number 1 on the Billboard contemporary jazz charts.

Unfortunately, in 2007, Tisdale fell down a flight of stairs in his home and broke his leg, which led to the finding of osteosarcoma in his knee.  In 2008, doctors amputated Tisdale's right leg, and eventually lost his battle to cancer on May 15, 2009 at the age of 44.  He "credits" Bobby Knight with helping to teach him how to fight - which he used to fight against the cancer.  I say "credits" because, well, let's just let Tisdale tell us in this quote from a 2008 story on ESPN.com...

"I had some coaches that literally didn't want me to make it, and on in particular was Bobby Knight.  At the time I frowned on that ... I look at it today that had I not persevered through a lot of the stuff he put me through, I probably wouldn't be here today.  I thank God for that dude because he pushed me."

Apparently Bobby Knight wasn't really that good of a guy.

If you enjoy jazz, especially contemporary jazz, check out Wayman's music.  He is fantastic.

So, back to the pool.  As you can imagine, yesterday's two games had a TREMENDOUS effect on our pool.  Duke was the most frequent choice as champion, and most of those that did not have them as champion had them advancing to the Final Four.  Kentucky (along with North Carolina in the Kansas City region) was a frequent choice to make the Final Four.  As you can see from the standings, many fewer entries have points they can win in the last two rounds.

Those that can - keep cheering for your selections.  We all know that literally anything can happen in the NCAA Tournament.  Although Marcus Jackson of Reston, Virginia is the highest ranking entry with Virginia as a champion, lurking not too far behind him is Ashley Poer #2 of Lake Worth, Florida, who has Virginia defeating Michigan State in the finals.  Adam Jorgensen of Jupiter, Florida is the highest ranking bracket that has Michigan State winning the championship, and he also has Virginia making the finals.  Nobody has Auburn or Texas Tech winning the championship.  But, 1 person did select Auburn into the Final 4.  For that, my cousin Michael Litsey of Los Angeles, California wins our "Pick of the Day" award.

"Winning" the pool by coming in last place is Cubbie Kroesen of Port St. Lucie, Florida.  The fact that Cubbie doesn't speak English, or human even for that matter, and has four legs may have hindered his basketball knowledge, but Cubbie at lease earns his money back.  Thanks for playing!!!!

Our champions - with the 2 remaining champions in bold are:  Duke, Florida, Florida State, Gonzaga, Houston, Kansas, Kansas State, Kentucky, Michigan, Michigan State, North Carolina, Purdue, Syracuse, Tennessee, Villanova, Virginia.

We have a new leader, who is also a past leader.  Measha Williams #3 of Houston, Texas has re-taken the lead, and is still eligible to earn more points as he has Virginia in the finals.  Second Place Carolyn Fowler of Greenacres, Florida no longer is eligible to score any points, and thus she is hoping for a Texas Tech - Auburn final.

Although I will be posting updated standings after the semi-finals and the finals, this will be the last breakdown, as we will be shifting to pseudo-live blogging our trip from Minneapolis beginning on Friday.

Feel free to double check your scores.  Let me know if you see a discrepancy.  Otherwise, enjoy the break week, and the Final 4!

1 - Measha Williams #3 - 116 - Gonzaga/Virginia

2 - Carolyn Fowler - 114 - Gonzaga/North Carolina

3 - Marcus Jackson - 110 - Virginia/Duke

4 - Ty Leatherman - 109 - Duke/Virginia

5 - Measha Williams #2 - 108 - Gonzaga/Virginia

6 - Steven Usma #3 - 106 - Kentucky/Duke

7 - Mac Kroesen - 105 - North Carolina/Duke

8 - Max Macon #2 - 104 - Tennessee/Michigan State

9 - Chris Kroesen - 103 - North Carolina/Michigan State

10 - Ashley Poer #2 - 101 - Virginia/Michigan State

       Justin Yung - 101 - Gonzaga/Virginia

12 - Carolyn Fowler and Jane Reynolds - 100 - Kentucky/Michigan State

       Melanie Scherr - 100 - North Carolina/Duke

14 - Max Marion #2 - 99 - Duke/North Carolina

       Brittany Sosa #1 - 99 - Duke/North Carolina

        Steven Usma #5 - 101 - Virginia/Gonzaga

17 - Matt Hopps - 98 - Duke/North Carolina

18 - Steven Usma #4 - 97 - Duke/Kentucky

19 - Pepe Sosa - 95 - Kentucky/Michigan State

20 - Bill Ganoe #1 - 94 - North Carolina/Duke

       Steven Usma #1 - 94 - Duke/North Carolina

       Measha WIlliams #1 - 94 - Gonzaga/North Carolina

23 - Colonel Kareem Montague - 93 - Virginia/Duke

24 - Debbie Igdaloff Nieman - 92 - Duke/North Carolina

       Adam Jorgensen - 92 - Michigan State/Virginia

26 - Philip Kroesen - 91 - North Carolina/Duke
       Michael Litsey - 91 - Michigan/Virginia
       Max Macon #1 - 91 - Virginia/LSU

       Barkley Sosa - 91 - Kentucky/LSU

       Robert Tanen #2 - 91 - Gonzaga/Virginia

31 - Katie Kollmeyer - 90 - Tennessee/Duke

32 - Alyssa Ave - 89 - Purdue/Michigan

       Dan Barsky #2 - 89 - Duke/North Carolina

       Matt Nieman - 89 - Virginia/Gonzaga

       Chad Phillips - 89 - Florida State/North Carolina

       Wes Wiggins - 89 - Gonzaga/Virginia

       Amy Zdrowak - 89 - Duke/Virginia

38 - Coby Kroesen - 88 - North Carolina/Duke

39 - Max Macon #4 - 87 - Duke/Houston
       Sean McInerney - 87 - Duke/North Carolina
       Dave Piasecki #2 - 87 - Florida/North Carolina
       Annette Pritchard #2 - 87 - Duke/North Carolina
       Harrington Wax III - 87 - North Carolina/Michigan State

44 - Dan Barsky #1 - 86 - Gonzaga/North Carolina

       Duncan Merchant - 86 - Duke/Houston

       Steven Usma #2 - 86 - Virginia/Michigan State

47 - Brian Hinaman - 85 - Duke/North Carolina

48 - Scott Bieterman - 84 - Duke/Kentucky
       Paul Cummings - 84 - North Carolina/Duke

       Dave Piasecki #1 - 84 - Florida/Kentucky

51 - Karen Katz - 83 - Gonzaga/Houston

       Mango Merchant - 83 - Gonzaga/Virginia

       Silas Nichols - 83 - North Carolina/Michigan

       Allison Parker - 83 - Kentucky/Michigan
       Annette Pritchard - 83 - Gonzaga/North Carolina

       Joshua Zdrowak - 83 - North Carolina/Michigan

57 - Alvaro Gonzalez - 82 - Duke/Tennessee

       Max Marion - 82 - Duke/Virginia

       William Pujals - 82 - Duke/North Carolina

       George Walks #2 - 82 - North Carolina/Duke

61 - Kyle Sheehan - 81 - Duke/Kentucky

       Biscuit Zdrowak - 81 - Virginia/Michigan State

63 - Jonathan Wasserman - 80 - North Carolina/Duke

64 - Dana Mandelbaum - 79 - North Carolina/Duke

       Brittany Sosa #2 - 79 - Gonzaga/Virginia
       Krystal Travers - 79 - Kansas State/Florida State

67 - Jacey Fowler #1 - 78 - Villanova/Texas Tech

       Ashley Poer #1 - 78 - Duke/Tennessee

       Rich Samuels #2 - 78- North Carolina/LSU
       Mike Zachary - 78 - Duke/North Carolina

71 - Glen Merchant - 77 - Duke/Houston
       John Santucci - 77 - Kansas/Michigan
       George Walks #4 - 77 - Duke/Virginia

74 - Jacey Fowler #2 - 76 - North Carolina/Florida State

       Hilary Kroesen 76 - Kentucky/Gonzaga

       Martha Kroesen - 76 - Gonzaga/North Carolina
       Jason Spuhler - 76 - Duke/North Carolina
       Jeremy Spuhler - 76 - Tennessee/LSU

79 - Arlene Amo Hopps - 75 - Villanova/Virginia Tech

       Skip LaForte - 75 - Michigan State/North Carolina

       Max Macon #3 - 75 - Gonzaga/Kentucky
       Cheryl Spuhler - 75 - Duke/Tennessee

83 - Jenna Finkelstein - 74 - Gonzaga/Tennessee

       Eric Inge - 74 - Duke/North Carolina
       Samantha Sheehan - 74 - Duke/Tennessee

86 - Scott Hansel - 73 - Duke/Kentucky
       Anthony LaPira - 73 - Duke/Tennessee
       Chris Petit - 73 - North Carolina/Duke
       Jane Reynolds - 73 - Duke/Kentucky
       George Walks #3 - 73 - Florida State/Kentucky

91 - Sasha Moon - 72 - Duke/Tennessee
       Traci Sheehan - 72 - Michigan State/Tennessee
       Michael Spicer - 72 - North Carolina/Buffalo
       George Walks #5 - 72 - Gonzaga/North Carolina

95 - Bill Ganoe #2 - 71 - Gonzaga/North Carolina
       James Garvin - 71 - Duke/Virginia
       Jeff Pamondon - 71 - Duke/Tennessee
       Rich Samuels #1 - 71 - Duke/Kentucky
       Meredith Tanen - 71 - Gonzaga/Virginia

100 - Josh and Katie Zdrowak - 70- North Carolina/Duke

101 - Hannah Sosa - 69 - Virginia/Duke

102 - Rachel Bornn - 68 - Duke/Kentucky

         Edy Pecan - 68 - Syracuse/Kentucky

104 - Robert Hosmer - 67 - Duke/Virginia

105 - Jordyn Sheehan - 66 - Duke/Tennessee

         Robert Tanen #1 - 66 - Florida State/North Carolina

107 - Luis Briones - 65 - Duke/Villanova

         Jean Calixte - 65 - Duke/North Carolina
         Kingfish Rod Parham - 65 - Duke/Tennessee

        George Walks #1 - 65 - Kansas/Duke

111 - Griffey Parker - 64 - Houston/Duke

         Abigail Sosa - 64 - Tennessee/Duke

113- Tara Elliott - 63 - North Carolina/Duke

114 - David Olson - 62 - North Carolina/Duke

115 - Liz Carew - 61 - Kentucky/Duke

         Hilary Kroesen #2 - 61 - Kansas/Marquette

         Ira Schulteis - 61 - Duke/North Carolina

118 - Jessica Samuels - 60 - Virginia/Gonzaga

119 - Jennifer Armstrong - 59 - Duke/Wisconsin

120 - Kline Kroesen - 58 - North Carolina/Michigan

121 - Katie Zdrowak - 56 - Duke/Tennessee

122 - Keith Zdrowak - 48 - Duke/North Carolina

123 - Cubbie Kroesen - 47 - Kentucky/Marquette