2006 PRE-NCAA CONTEST NEWSLETTER 2

Standings
All-Name Teams
Mascot Trivia

We're speechless. Really, we know we should have been prepared, but there were no hints or advance warning so we just weren't . Sure, with three number one seeds in the Final Eight along with two number twos, a number three, and a number four, a busload of orangutans would probably have produced several entries with six, or even seven correct Final Eight teams, but this is our pool and our entrants displayed their usual ineptitude: nobody with more than five accurate predictions; only 15 entrants with five; 33 entrants with four; 27 had three; and three (M Peloso, Leeds, George B) somehow managed to pick only two teams right. It was the type of abysmal performance we'd come to expect over 17 years running the contest. But now, whoa, as we said, we're speechless.

77 people entered the pool. 77 people each chose four teams to be in the Final Four. And we got four right. Total. You heard us, a grand total of four (4) entrants each guessed one (1) Final Four team correctly. Everybody else got zero (0). Lucia Donadio picked LSU in the Final Four and that selection vaulted her into first place. Huffnagle also picked LSU and moved into a tie for ninth place. The other two, Perez (Florida) and Madison Leach (LSU), used their astute basketball knowledge to catapult into 57th and 66th place, respectively. It's hard to imagine how far behind they all were before their incredible display of predictive legerdemain.

Well, perhaps not so hard to imagine. Just look at Madison's fellow Leach girl, Samantha Leach who finished last with 171 points, just ahead of Packman (174), Leeds (184), and George B (184). Also failing to capitalize on lucky selections were the only two contestants who got more than one wild card point -- P Leach (31st place) and Matt Paston (73rd place), both of whom chose Wichita State.

Well, we doubt we need to say that nobody picked any of the four remaining teams as their national champion, but we'll say it anyway. That means that this year's contest winner is Lucia Donadio, with 268 points. It probably also goes without saying that Lucia's score is the lowest winning score in pool history, but we'll say that too (with glee). In an odd coincidence, the previous low winning score was 274, by J Donadio, Jr. (as well as N Mahalko) in 2000. We guess the Donadio family is like the Princeton of pool contestants, only winning in a low-scoring game. The other prize-winners are D Josephs, with 260 points, and Whiteside, with 256. There were 65 paid entries (although it's possible that an envelope may have gone astray, so it may be as many as 69).

If you watched this year's tournament, you saw a lot of teams blowing a lot of leads. But the most monumental collapse of the year was not Gonzaga going south against UCLA, but rather tough-talking K Sullivan (235 points) coughing up a big lead and losing to arch-rival B Peloso (238 points). She was even beneath her husband, for goodness sake (D'Zuro (236)). Last year's co-champion K Wanger has said repeatedly that the first place finish means nothing compared to beating her father, and unlike K Sullivan, K Wanger backed it up, beating daddy R Wanger, 243 to 238. Booth, who annually proffers similar sentiments, was not as fortunate, getting shellacked by brother-in-law Whiteside, 256 to 227. In other familial grudge matches: D Josephs hammered former champion and current co-commissioner M Josephs (who also happens to be his son), 260 to 229; Rosen handled wife Abrams, 247 to 221; and M Kleiman punished his son, B Kleiman, 248 to 230. On the other hand, the Donadio children (L Donadio (268) and N Donadio (248)) both thrashed their parents (J Donadio (235) and M Donadio (217)). Leach patriarch E Leach (232) reigned over son P Leach (229) as well as his unfortunate grandchildren (M Leach (214) and S Leach (171)). Mike Paston (222) beat Matt Paston (191). And for once, commissioner D Kedson (235) can step proudly into his parents' house (M Kedson (226), G Kedson (221)).

Some grudge matches came right down to the wire: J Broder (233) edged daughter R Broder (229); N Mahalko (218) nosed out D Mahalko (217); and in what might be an all-time first, Joe Mc (216) narrowly defeated son Mike Mc (214). One grudge match finished right on the wire -- Coach Doc and daughter S Adams finished tied at 236. Starbuck (238 to 224) and Marshall (238 to 216) both beat themselves, and that's all we're going to say about that.

Males (225.17) were barely above females (224.85), although if you subtract the misguided Leach girls, it was women (230.73) comfortably on top of men, as usual. Felines (248.00) ruled the battle of the species, looking down on spiny anteaters (236.00), humans (225.86), and lowly lawyers (216.40). In the tag team competition, the Donadios (242.00) were victorious, beating out the D'Zuros (235.75), the Kedsons (231.25), and the Natalini Group (231.00). Leading the basement dwellers were Arnie's Army of Bridge Players (230.00), over the Koufax Contingent (217.33) and (of course) the Leach Gang (214.50). Those who described themselves as "Tar Heel fans," were pathetic (191.00) in more ways than one.

New Jersey (238.67) is this year the most influential state, beating out Arizona (232.00), Virginia (231.67), Maryland (229.00), and Florida (227.00). Pennsylvania (224.33) edged New York (222.00) and Illinois (219.00). Bringing up (or down, we suppose) the rear is North Carolina (191.00). Within Pennsylvania, the Philadelphia suburbs (225.05) surpassed the Philadelphia urbs (224.50), while those from Western PA (223.29) are apparently still basking in the glory of their "Stillers." Our average score was 225.15.

Among employers, Conrail (234.50) beat out "Self" (227.00), PaDOT (222.50), and Urban Engineering (207.83). Computer professionals (240.33) remained the best pool pickers, over Accountants (233.50), Financial Managers (230.67), and Medical professionals (229.00). Retired people (225.33) apparently stopped working for a reason, but at least they bested Engineers (220.46) and Salespeople (220.00). Students (232.38) went to school, but perhaps teachers (217.00) need some remedial education. And do we need to mention that the ultimate bottom-feeders are attorneys (211.75)? Well, yeah, we did, but not for that reason.

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ALL NAME TEAMS

After a couple of years' hiatus, we're bringing back the All-Name teams and Mascot Trivia. Enjoy:

All-Name, First Team
Ken Tutt (Oral Roberts)
Cem Dinc (Indiana)
Magnum Rolle (LSU)
Semplice Njoya (Memphis)
Grlenntys Chief Kickingstallionsims (Stetson)
(...OK, Stetson didn't make the tournament, but could you leave this guy out? By the way, Chief is his real middle name, not a nickname!)

All-Name, Second Team
Fendi Onobun (Arizona)
Folarin Campbell (George Mason)
Can Civi (Davidson)
Major Wingate (Tennessee)
Honorable mention (Isn't-two-enough category):
Nana Papa Yaw "Pops" Mensah-Bonsu (GW)
Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (UCLA)
Pierre Marie Altidor-Cespedes (Gonzaga)

All-Alliterative Team
Waki Williams (Memphis)
Idong Ibok (Michigan State)
Mickey Michalec (Oral Roberts)
Osazee Omokaro (UConn)
Mani Messy (Seton Hall)

Best name that has become a verb: Kevin Pittsnogle (West Virginia) [As in "Southern Illinois really got Pittsnogled in the first round."]

Name question of the year: If Villanova's Allan Ray looks in the mirror, does he see former UConn star Ray Allen?

Accomodations for all-name participants provided by: Hilton Armstrong (UConn)

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MASCOT TRIVIA

(1) Name all teams in the tournament with nicknames that neither include a color nor end in ‘s’ (20 points for each correct answer)
(2) Name the most popular nickname (most teams) in the NCAA Tournament field (8 points)
(3) Among Cats, Dogs, Birds, and Bears, which has the most teams in the field? (5 points)
(4) Name the most popular color in the tournament (4 points)
(5) How many teams have a color in their nickname (5 pts.), and how many colors are represented (5 pts)?
(6) Name all nicknames that appear more than once in the field (3 points for each correct answer)
(7) Three games in the tournament this year featured two teams with the same nickname. Name them. (3 points for each correct answer)
(8) Name the teams that fit into each of the following categories (1 point for each correct answer):
(a) Feline (12 teams)
(b) Canine (7 teams)
(c) Avian (8 teams)
(d) Ursine (4 teams)
(e) Underworld Denizens (2 teams)
(f) Grazing Mammals (3 teams)
(g) Phenomena occasionally caused by electricity (3 teams)
(h) Around in Revolutionary times (5 teams)
(i) Named after Major League Baseball Teams (5 teams)
(j) Named after NFL Football Teams (8 teams)
(k) Named after NBA or NHL Teams (7 teams)
(l) From Foreign Countries (3 teams)
(m) Those who exercise (3 teams)
(n) Those with double-letters in their names (11 teams)
(o) Those with q or y or z in their names (9 teams)
(p) Body Parts (3 teams)
(q) Reptiles, Citrus dudes, Red laundry detergent, or named after the farming industry (5 teams)

Note: Every team was counted at least once. We're not telling how many teams we counted more than once. Nyah, nyah.

TRIVIA ANSWERS

(1) Illinois Fighting Illini, North Carolina State Wolfpack, Nevada Wolf Pack, and Bucknell Bison.
(2) Eagles (including Golden Eagles) and Wildcats with 4 each.
(3) Cats (12).
(4) Golden (4).
(5) Only seven teams, representing four colors, only one color more than once (Duke Blue Devils; California Golden Bears; Kent State Golden Flashes; Marquette Golden Eagles; Oral Roberts Golden Eagles; Alabama Crimson Tide; Syracuse Orangemen).
(6) Jaguars (Southern; South Alabama); Eagles (Winthrop; Boston College); Golden Eagles (Marquette; Oral Roberts); Wildcats (Kentucky; Arizona; Davidson; Villanova); Panthers (Pitt; Wisconsin-Milwaukee; Northern Iowa); Wolfpack (NC State; Nevada); Tigers (LSU; Memphis; Pacific); Bruins (UCLA; Belmont); Huskies (UConn; Washington); Aggies (Texas A&M; Utah State).
(7) UCLA vs. Belmont (Bruins); UConn vs. Washington (Huskies); Villanova vs. Arizona (Wildcats)

(8)
(a) Kentucky Wildcats; Arizona Wildcats; Davidson Wildcats; Villanova Wildcats; Pittsburgh Panthers; Wisconsin-Milwaukee Panthers; Northern Iowa Panthers; Southern Jaguars; South Alabama Jaguars; LSU Tigers; Memphis Tigers; Pacific Tigers.
(b) Gonzaga Bulldogs; UConn Huskies; Washington Huskies; Southern Illinois Salukis; Nevada Wolf Pack; North Carolina State Wolfpack; Albany Great Danes.
(c) Winthrop Eagles; Boston College Eagles; Marquette Golden Eagles; Oral Roberts Golden Eagles; UNCW Seahawks; Kansas Jayhawks; Monmouth Hawks; Air Force Falcons.
(d) California Golden Bears; UCLA Bruins; Belmont Bruins; Montana Grizzlies.
(e) Duke Blue Devils; Northwestern State Demons.
(f) Texas Longhorns; Arkansas Razorbacks; Bucknell Bison.
(g) Kent State Golden Flashes; UAB Blazers; Wichita State Shockers.
(h) GW Colonials; Penn Quakers; Xavier Musketeers; George Mason Patriots; Tennessee Volunteers.
(i) Seton Hall Pirates; Bradley Braves; LSU Tigers; Pacific Tigers; Memphis Tigers.
(j) Winthrop Eagles; Boston College Eagles; UNCW Seahawks; Pittsburgh Panthers; Wisconsin-Milwaukee Panthers; Northern Iowa Panthers; George Mason Patriots; Air Force Falcons.
(k) Pittsburgh Panthers (NHL); Northern Iowa Panthers (NHL); Wisconsin-Milwaukee Panthers (NHL); UCLA Bruins (NHL); Belmont Bruins (NHL); Montana Grizzlies (NBA); Montana Hawks (NBA).
(l) San Diego State Aztecs; Michigan State Spartans; Iona Gaels.
(m) Murray State Racers; Illinois Fighting Illini; West Virginia Mountaineers.
(n) Indiana Hoosiers; Illinois Fighting Illini; UNC Tar Heels; West Virginia Mountaineers; Tennessee Volunteers; Xavier Musketeers; Oklahoma Sooners; Texas A&M Aggies; Utah State Aggies; Gonzaga Bulldogs; Montana Grizzlies.
(o) Penn Quakers; Kansas Jayhawks; Ohio State Buckeyes; Iowa Hawkeyes; Georgetown Hoyas; UAB Blazers; Montana Grizzlies; Arkansas Razorbacks; San Diego State Aztecs.
(p) Iowa Hawkeyes; Ohio State Buckeyes; UNC Tar Heels.
(q) Florida Gators; Syracuse Orangemen; Alabama Crimson Tide; Texas A&M Aggies; Utah State Aggies

SCORING:
1 You’re exaggerating.
2-20 You’re kidding.
21-50 You’re lying.
51-244 You’re cheating.

Final Standings

Name	Score	Conf Champs	Wild Card	Champion	in Final 8	in Final 4
Lucia Donadio	268	18	Wisconsin	Duke	5	1
David Josephs	260	21	Northern Iowa	Connecticut	5
Curt Whiteside	256	19	Marquette	Memphis	5
claude	248	20	Arkansas	Duke	4
Nicholas Donadio	248	18	Nevada	Connecticut	5
Marc Kleiman	248	18	Marquette	Connecticut	5
Norman Rosen	247	21	Arkansas	Duke	4
Bill Acchione	245	18	Wisconsin	Villanova	5
Laura Harlan	243	19	Missouri St	Duke	4
Robert Huffnagle	243	13	Arkansas	Connecticut	5	1
Kelly Wanger	243	17	Marquette	Duke	5
Koiki	242	20	California	Connecticut	4
Chris Nowakowski	240	17	Wisconsin	Gonzaga	5
John Marshall (2)	238	16	Nevada	Connecticut	5
Bob Peloso	238	16	Northern Iowa	Connecticut	5
Starbuck	238	16	Arkansas	Connecticut	5
Randy Wanger	238	18	Marquette	Connecticut	4
Sarah Adams	236	17	Marquette	Connecticut	4
Coach Doc	236	17	Arkansas	Connecticut	4
Bob D'Zuro	236	17	Arkansas	Texas	4
Haklar	236	17	Marquette	Connecticut	4
Pangolin Palace	236	17	Marquette	Duke	4
John Donadio	235	16	Marquette	Duke	5
David Kedson	235	21	Arizona	Duke	3
Kate Sullivan	235	18	Marquette	Connecticut	4
Jon Broder	233	17	Wisconsin	Connecticut	4
Ed Leach	232	18	Marquette	Duke	4
Bret Kleiman	230	17	Nevada	Texas	4
Rachel Broder	229	18	Marquette	Connecticut	4
Matt Josephs	229	16	Kentucky	Connecticut	4
Perry Leach	229	15	Wichita St	Connecticut	4
Peter O'Brien	229	17	Marquette	Villanova	3
Neil Baumgarten	228	18	Arkansas	Connecticut	3
Jeff Butscher	228	16		Connecticut	4
Chris Kovolski	228	17	Kentucky	Connecticut	4
Nancy Booth	227	19	UAB	Gonzaga	3
Arnold Selig	227	15	Wisconsin	Duke	5
Jason DeMaso	226	17	Marquette	Villanova	3
Colin Fitch	226	17	Marquette	Connecticut	3
Mom and Pop Kedson	226	17	Arkansas	Connecticut	3
Todd Pappasergi	226	17	Marquette	Connecticut	3
wayne crowther	225	18	Marquette	Duke	3
Brett Collson	224	15	Wis-Milwaukee	Connecticut	4
Starbuck	224	15	Wisconsin	Duke	5
Chris Hurrell	223	15	Florida St	Texas	4
Paul Ripley	223	15	Marquette	Connecticut	4
Steve Smith	223	17	Marquette	Connecticut	3
Mark Cowboy	222	16	Nevada	Duke	4
Mark Dodger	222	18	Nevada	Connecticut	3
Michael Paston	222	16	Nevada	Connecticut	4
Manual Pogach	222	16	Marquette	Connecticut	4
Susan Abrams	221	14	Wisconsin	Connecticut	4
Grandpa and Grandma Kedson	221	14	Arkansas	Duke	4
Rick Simon	221	15	Alabama	Duke	4
Kevin Biebel	219	18	Arkansas	Connecticut	3
Lawrence Mussio	219	13	Marquette	Connecticut	4
Miguel Perez	219	12	Nevada	Connecticut	4	1
Nick Mahalko	218	17	Marquette	Connecticut	4
MaryEllen Donadio	217	17	Marquette	Connecticut	3
Dave Mahalko	217	17	Arkansas	Connecticut	3
John Marshall	216	15	Nevada	Connecticut	3
Joe Mc	216	16	Arkansas	Duke	4
Mike Peterson	216	15	Wisconsin	Connecticut	3
Neil Sullivan	216	16	Air Force	Duke	4
troy kane	215	16	Marquette	Memphis	3
Madison Leach	214	11	Arizona	Texas	3	1
Mike McAtee	214	15	Kentucky	Duke	3
Al Alberts	211	14	Marquette	Duke	3
Mark Koufax	208	14	Nevada	Memphis	3
Frank Conte	204	15	Marquette	North Carolina	3
Kevin Kasprzak	204	15	Missouri St	Connecticut	3
Mike Wetherell	198	18	Syracuse	Duke	3
Matt Paston	191	13	Wichita St	Gonzaga	3
Maggie Peloso	191	12	Missouri St	Duke	2
GEORGE B	184	13	Air Force	Villanova	2
Edward Leeds	184	13	Wisconsin	Connecticut	2
Packman	174	12	Virginia Tech	Connecticut	3
Samantha Leach	171	6	Nevada	Villanova	3