<p>Any other division I athletes bummed out that you can't do march madness pools?</p>
<p>^^ I have a question for you. If I am playing semi-professional basketball here in Australia, WITHOUT signing a contract, am I eligible to play in the NCAA? What about with a contract?</p>
<p>BTW, uconn's winning it all this year !</p>
<p>I have UConn winning it all! I have no idea w/ ur question though</p>
<p>yeah, uconn should win, but you never though. i'll be rooting for Duke as always in the dance, but unless redick get hot like he was at the start of the season, I seriously doubt they're going anywhere further than the final four at best.</p>
<p>Haha, I'm rooting for both Uconn teams -- I'm from Storrs, CT...enough said.</p>
<p>Vrumchev, I think that if you've ever been paid for athletics you're ineligible. It might be different if it's another country though. The rules in detail are here:</p>
<p>You can still do free pools like on facebook, though, right? I know it's not the same but it's something.</p>
<p>Btw, UConn can't win - no team has ever won a national championship after losing its first conference tournament game - unless that streak ends, UConn falls (even in the second round perhaps?)</p>
<p>"Btw, UConn can't win - no team has ever won a national championship after losing its first conference tournament game - unless that streak ends, UConn falls "</p>
<p>I read that too. My question is: how many #1 seeds have ever lost in the first round of their conference tournament?</p>
<p>good question, let me know if you find out</p>
<p>I went crazy with my bracket, though my final four - UConn, Syracuse, BC, 'Zags - doesn't reflect it, for one thing, only one number one seed (UConn) makes it to the elite eight, for another, Duke goes down in the second round</p>
<p>..and the Boston RedSox couldn't win the World Series.</p>
<p>Don't have history blind you from what reality is. Uconn is the team to beat, and that loss helped them. They are rested and ready to win. Don't give me garbage about history. If you've seen Uconn play all season, then you know they are the favorite to win the championship.</p>
<p>Give me a brake playa, that's why I said "unless the streak ends." Of course streaks end, otherwise if one team is on a 10-game home winning streak and the other on a 10-game road winning streak, they would play forever. So of course the Red Sox won eventually, proving that there was no curse - they just sucked for 87 years. My problem with UConn is their lack of consistency.</p>
<p>PS: Just so you know, I have UConn over 'Cuse in the finals.</p>
<p>Ah...No it's all Villanova</p>
<p>Consistency? If you mean to tell me they weren't consistent all year you haven't watched them play enough. Can they be upset? Of course, just like any other team can. But they are very strong, and the favorite to win it. I am telling you they are rested and ready to roll. My Red Sox saying was off, and I'll take that back, but don't say because of history, Uconn can't win it.</p>
<p>Btw my Final Four: Connecticut, Duke, Kansas, and Villanova. Duke has a very easy bracket, but if JJ has a bad night, they can kiss their chances goodbye. I think Duke and Connecticut get to the finals(only because I feel Kansas is still young and not as diciplined as the others), and Connecticut wins it all. </p>
<p>But watch out for Boston College, Texas, and Marquette. They play real well. Villanova has a tough bracket, and could lose easily. As for Syracuse, they are hot right now, but again, all they have is McNamarra, and he had 4 hot games. Before that, he wasn't shooting too well. As for Gonzaga, no. They can't play defense, and they played no body. I see them getting to the Sweet 16 tops. Gonzaga I think is a little overrated because of Morrison. Morrison is great, but that team cannot play any defense. If they play a team that can run(UCLA, Marquette), say goodbye to their chances</p>
<p>GO UCONN! ALL THE WAY!</p>
<p>I'm a CT Girl and I know a few of the players, they are so good.</p>
<p>I love my Huskies.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Any other division I athletes bummed out that you can't do march madness pools?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Yup, did you get this e-mail?</p>
<p>
[quote]
As most of you know, March Madness is upon us again and the NCAA and NIT Basketball Tournaments for the men and women will soon begin. We would like to take this time to remind you about the NCAAs stance on sports wagering. It is the responsibility of every member of the athletic department, from Coaches to Administrators and YOU, the student-athlete, to be aware of and not participate in gambling activities (this includes the NCAA Basketball Tournament). </p>
<p>Per NCAA Bylaw 10.3, neither staff members nor student-athletes may knowingly: </p>
<p>Provide information to individuals involved in organized gambling activities concerning intercollegiate competition;
Solicit a bet on any intercollegiate team;
Accept a bet on any team representing the institution;
Solicit or accept a bet on any intercollegiate competition for any item (i.e., cash, shirts, dinner etc.) that has tangible value, or
Participate in any gambling activity that involves intercollegiate athletics or professional athletics, through a bookmaker, a parlay card or any other method (i.e. fantasy leagues) employed by organized gambling. </p>
<p>If you have any questions concerning gambling or gambling activities, please ask your coach or the compliance office. Do not jeopardize your eligibility or let a teammate jeopardize their eligibility by taking part in gambling activities. </p>
<p>The NCAA has published a booklet on gambling entitled Dont Bet On It: Dont Gamble on your future, if youd like a copy please contact the Compliance Office, or visit 2006 Final Four Sports Wagering Reminder.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>The 2006 Final Four Sports Wagering Reminder website is hilarious. I think I've found a loophole, though, so I'm good :p</p>
<p>EDIT: Nevermind, edit it too long. Making a double post now.</p>
<p>Wanted to address this:</p>
<p>
[quote]
Duke has a very easy bracket
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Is this a joke? Texas is the best TEAM in this tournament. If they get their act together and play like a team, they could very well win this entire tournament. I'm praying George Washington can get past UNC-Wilmington and tire Duke down a bit. Once Williams and Redick are off the court, Duke is no better than any other team in this tournament. I could definitely see an Elite Eight run, but getting past Texas? Not a chance.</p>
<p>I, personally, have Memphis winning this entire tournament, though I'm still not sure I trust Calipari's ability to coach a big game. In the six years he's been there he's accomplished nothing less an NIT title. I've had the opportunity to watch Memphis play live a few times this semester and they really impress me. I wouldn't be suprised if they won the entire tournament nor would I be suprised if Arkansas beats them in the second round. Regardless, I'm riding them the entire way.</p>
<p>Here's what I posted on my track and field message board. I've won the pool on it the past two years (~50 people each year) so luckily people respect my predictions there:</p>
<p>
[quote]
Atlanta Regional:
Duke is not a super-powerhouse team like everyone else thinks. Take out Redick and Williams and they're not better than any other team in this tournament. By the Elite Eight, assuming George Washington advances and puts up some sort of fight, Redick and Williams will be far too tired to be able to handle that ridiculous run-offense of Texas. Expect Texas to advance from the Atlanta regional.</p>
<p>Oakland Regional:
Some people have way too much faith in Gonzaga. I would not be suprised at all if they don't get out of the second round, and I believe Indiana is just the team to knock them out.
Marquette scares me. I assume they'll get past Alabama (but who knows at this point) and they match up quite well with UCLA. I'm taking UCLA in the second round not because they're a better team, but because they shut down the perimeter thus taking Marquette out of their element.
And I'm still picking Memphis to win this whole damn tourney. They've lost three games this year - Duke (by 3), Texas (by 11), and UAB (by 6), but had #2 RPI, and had some quality (see: dominating) wins over UCLA, Alabama, and Tennessee.</p>
<p>Washington, D.C. Regional:
Some very, very weak teams in this regional. Air Force, George Mason, and UAB are lucky they got into this tournament after the seasons they had. I expect Tennessee to drop early (Winthrop matches up PERFECTLY, and if they happen to advance, there is no way they get past Wichita State in the second round) and North Carolina to handily beat the **** out of Michigan State. UConn will have a tough match-up with North Carolina and my heart tells me they lose that game, but my bracket says otherwise. I have UConn advancing out of this weak region.</p>
<p>Minneapolis Regional:
Here's where things are interesting. Boston College, the strongest #4 seed I can remember for a while, has a nice easy run to the Sweet 16 playing Pacific and then the winner of Nevada/Montana. I still feel the Big 10 was super-overrated and Ohio State may very well lose to Georgetown (my bracket says they do - Georgetown matches up perfectly with tOSU). Everyone needs to get their dicks out of UW-Milwaukee's asses, too. There is no chance for an upset there, sorry.
Villanova might be the most talented team in the tourney (less Texas), but Boston College eats up the undersized team with a not 100% Allan Ray. I expect Boston College to advance, whether it be over Georgetown, Florida, Oklahoma, or tOSU.</p>
<p>Ecliptica's Final Four:
Texas, Memphis, UConn, Boston College</p>
<p>Ecliptica's Championship:
Memphis v. Boston College</p>
<p>Ecliptica's Champion:
Memphis (72-66)
[/quote]
</p>
<p>My bracket looks like this, by the way:</p>
<p>Round 1 - Atlanta Region</p>
<p>Duke
GW
LSU
Syracuse
Southern Illinois
Iowa
NC State
Texas</p>
<p>--
Round 1 - Oakland Region</p>
<p>Memphis
Arkansas
Pitt
Kansas
Indiana
Gonzaga
Marquette
UCLA</p>
<p>--
Round 1 - D.C. Region</p>
<p>UConn
Kentucky
Washington
Illinois
North Carolina
Michigan State
Wichita State
Tennessee (SUBJECT TO CHANGE. . .I still have 'til 10:00 AM on Thursday )</p>
<p>--
Round 1 - Minneapolis Region</p>
<p>Villanova
Wisconsin
Nevada
Boston College
Oklahoma
Florida
Georgetown
Ohio State</p>
<hr>
<p>Round 2 - Atlanta Region</p>
<p>Duke
LSU
Iowa
Texas</p>
<hr>
<p>Round 2 - Oakland Region</p>
<p>Memphis
Kansas
Indiana
UCLA</p>
<hr>
<p>Round 2 - D.C. Region
UConn
Illinois
North Carolina
Wichita State</p>
<hr>
<p>Round 2 - Minneapolis Region
Villanova
Boston College
Florida
Georgetown</p>
<hr>
<p>Regional Semis</p>
<p>Duke
Texas</p>
<p>Memphis
UCLA</p>
<p>UConn
North Carolina</p>
<p>Boston College
Florida</p>
<hr>
<p>Regional Finals</p>
<p>Texas</p>
<p>Memphis</p>
<p>UConn</p>
<p>Boston College</p>
<p>National Semis</p>
<p>Memphis</p>
<p>Boston College</p>
<p>Championship
Memphis: 72-66</p>
<p>So when Duke blew out Texas, you weren't concerned? Duke has the easiest ride to the final four. Look at who the others have to play. Uconn in my mind has the toughest bracket followed by Villanova's bracket. Duke ONLY has to worry about Texas, who they blew out during the season. Memphis has to go through Kansas, Boston College, and/or Pittsburgh. They can't survive through all of them. Memphis is good, but they didn't exactly play with the big boys all year. I think them getting to just the Elite Eight is a stretch. Final Four? Slim.</p>
<p>not looking good for marquette. 4:17 left in 2nd and alabama is up 81 73 on marquette. i had marquette going pretty far so james needs to score more or alabama will go on to next round.</p>
<p>I have Duke winning it all, with the final four of Duke, UConn, Florida, and UCLA.</p>
<p>^i have exact same as u except boston college beating flordia in elite eight.</p>
<p>All I can say is...</p>
<p>GO VOLS!</p>
<p>I really hope they get it together, stay focused, and play as a unit. If they do that, then I think they can make it pretty far.</p>