1998 PRE-NCAA CONTEST FINAL UPDATE

It was almost Ute-opia for Glowacki, as Utah put up a valiant struggle. But in the end, we imagine there was much weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth in the Glowacki household, as his bid for immortality (or at least for the first prize winnings) came up short.

Matt Josephs, on the other hand, is probably celebrating his improbable victory. Who would’ve guessed six weeks ago, when M Josephs was accusing the commissioners of sending him spam e-mail, that not only had he heard of the Pre-NCAA contest, but he would win it? K Sullivan finished second, and Mastro finished third.

Carson, on the other hand, has made an impact that will not soon be forgotten. She has set the all-time record for fewest points in a manner so profound, that decorum prohibits us from detailing it here. Nah, what do we care about decorum? Carson’s new record, 102 points, shatters the old record by almost 40 points. To illustrate the scope of this record, consider that three contestants (K Sullivan; Mastro; Brinkley) had more than 102 points if you counted only their Final 4 and Final 8 picks. In other words, those three entrants would’ve still beaten Carson if they had decided not to choose ANY conference champions or at-large teams. Another eleven contestants had Final 4 plus Final 8 points adding up to 100, meaning that they would’ve beaten Carson if they had correctly chosen zero (0) conference champions and one (1) at-large team. Carson’s record should stand well into the next Millennium. We salute you.

Oh yeah, the game was fun, too (although the commissioners were rooting for the Utes).

One of the coolest moments at any Final Four is the tipoff at the Championship game, when thousands of flash bulbs, from the floor to the highest reaches of the stadium, go off in near-unison, initiating the event in glittering splendor. And though we immensely enjoy this visually spectacular moment, we are forced to ask: "why?" What do these thousands of photographers think they’re illuminating with the flash? Some of these people are hundreds of feet away. Oh well.

Word has reached the commissioners that Utah’s Britton Johnson has sued to be named to the All-Location team, reasoning that most of our entrants can’t spell anyway. He apparently brought his case in the international court at The Hague, which we understand has ruled in his favor.

Well, it’s been a wild and (Glo) wacki tournament. See you next year.