Results of the AUHoops Tourney Challenge!

That's right. I'm back. It's the off-season and I'm STILL giving you two entries tonight. How's THAT for dedication?

I'm here tonight to let you know the results of the AU Hoops tourney challenge!

Longtime reader and supporter Lisa, the only person who correctly picked Duke as the tourney champion, came from midway down the standings to claim first place with an impressive 103 points on 34 correct picks! Lisa, your bold pick of America's least favorite team has earned you a regulation sized basketball signed by one of your favorite AU Eagles!

See? I told you there would be a fabulous prize for winning this thing, but nooooo everyone thought I was going to give you a Z Burger token and a high five. This ain't no two-bit circus blog, kids, we're the real deal. Sometimes.

Also a longtime reader and supporter, SquirrelBoy picked up second place. Now, I have to say, SB, I'm a little pissed because you edged me out of second place by one point, but I had six, COUNT THEM, six more correct picks than you did. Damn. In any event, you will also get a prize. I don't know what it will be yet, but I'll find you something nice and AU basketball related. Like a hug from Jeff Jones or the chance to mix up the team's Gatorade for a pre-season game. Mm, lemon lime!

To the other 14 of you who participated, maybe seeing the excellent prizes that those who finished above you were awarded will prompt you to PICK MORE GAMES CORRECTLY NEXT YEAR. If that's not a motivator, I don't know what it is. The early bird gets the hug from Jeff Jones, that's what my RA always told me.

Oh, Carl, since you finished last, I'm going to find you something especially nice. Like a Holy Cross t-shirt or something.

Seriously though, thanks everyone for participating, this was a lot of fun, and I hope we'll be able to do it again next year. I can't see any reason we couldn't, except that we'll have to pick for a 96 team tourney. Can't wait!

Pro deo et patria and GO EAGLES!

Announcing the AUHoops Tourney Challenge!

Hi everyone. Hope you're all enjoying Selection Sunday! I have to say I'm shocked (shocked!) that the committee didn't see fit to award us an at-large bid. Teams like Florida just burst our bubble, I guess.

Anyway, although the AU men's season is over, the NCAA basketball tournament obviously holds a lot of allure for fans of college basketball. Since we've got a budding community here, I figured it might be fun if we had a basketball pool here.

I've set up a group at CBS Sportsline for us to use. To participate, you will have to sign up for an account, but it takes all of 30 seconds and is free.

The link to the group is: http://auhoops.mayhem.cbssports.com/e and the password is "lumpkinpatch"

Hope I'll be seeing a lot of you participate in this. I think it'll be a lot of fun. I might even be able to scrounge up some kind of prize for whoever wins!

If you have any questions, email at auhoopsblog@gmail.com or post in the comments. I'll try to troubleshoot as best I can.

Pro deo et patria and GO EAGLES!