This year's NCAA Men's Basketball Tourney was crazier than
ever. This is the first time since seeding was implemented
(1979) that none of the No. 1, 2 or 3 seeds advanced to the
Final Four.
UConn had the easiest route to
Championship game- and Miami certainly had its work getting to
the Final 4.
UConn - beat 13, 5, 8, 3 seed.
San Diego State - beat 12, 13, 1, 6 seed.
Miami - beat 12, 4, 1, 2 seed.
Florida Atlantic - beat 8, 16, 4, 3 seed.
Thank you all for entering this year. I found the new entry form
a little confusing- but once I figured it out, all was well. RYP
did a great job with posting game results promptly- and their
forms appeared to be error free. Reports did not have a few
reports that we had grown use to- like the Percentage of winners
picked by each participant.
NEXT YEAR: First,
entry fees will be raised $5 to 20 per entry. $15 will go into
main pool- and $5 to the SECOND Chance Pool. This will cover
entry fees to RYP with the remainder an "inflation kicker" to
the main pool!
Also I will post a WOMEN's NCAA
Basketball for the first time. It will be FREE to enter (you
play for bragging rights only-no payout). And end of next year's
tourney, the players will vote to decide if they want to require
an entry fee in 2025.
Finally, next year there will be
NO FAMILY entries. This year a player, let’s say a Dad, that
would register with RYP, and then add 5 kids. I discovered a
major problem only yesterday with this format. The kids in
example above had to use Dad’s user name and password to make
entries. And the Kids received no emails from me since
all were entered under Dad’s email. One player in of one family
did not even know about the Second chance pool. Also,
administration from my side was a nightmare under this format.
Next year everyone will have own account with own email.
NCAA- Results, and More
Congratulations to
Barett Doyle (106 points) in STANDARD to
win first place- and won $519.
Mr Blue Clues
got second ($216) and Matt Conroy, third
place ($130).
In the SEEDED bracket,
Warren Baker took first place with 437 points- he
received $187. And Orion Roper scooped
second while Matt Conway placed third.
Finally, the SECOND CHANCE bracket.
MaddHawk#2 won the STANDARD bracket, and claimed
the winner-take-all total prize of $470.00. The SEEDED was
captured by Chairman Phil who claimed
I hope that everyone had fun this year. I’ll be back
next year for the 30th time! As usual, please let me
know if you have any ideas on how to make the NCAA Men’s
Basketball Championship experience even more fun.
For the 29th
time, GRADY's NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament brackets are ready.
Draws have been made- Entry page is up and running. TRY SEEDED this
year- for those that have never tried the SEEDED, which requires more
skill, try it this year.
Entry Deadline
:
Thursday. March 16th at 7AM PDT This year I have been forced to make changes in the Entry
process. My longtime software vendor, TurboTourney, shut their doors
when the owner retired this year. But no worries. I have switched to a
new software vendor (RunYourPool) that is cloud based- much better for
me on the administrative side- and much better for YOU as a player: you
will be able to change your entries anytime up to the first tip-off on
Thursday.
Last year a small group (7 others and me from this
group) tested out this new software. Participants reported that the
process was “very easy.” You need to set up a RunYourPool account. You
only need to do this once. Only requires email address and password- no
personal data. And NO FEES. Entry fees will continue to be paid to me
directly.
Lets get started. I have prepared a
Tutorial with screenshots. It
is very easy. Please read it. If you want to skip the Tutorial with
Screenshots (not advised), then click one of the links beflow- if you
play just STANDARD click it. If you play both STANDARD and SEEDED use
STANDARD. If you play ONLY SEEDED, use SEEDED. You only need to set up
your account ONCE- then you can either Pool. When you get to the Now
Create Account screen, Please enter LAST NAME, FIRST NAME for DISPLAY NAME. We have tons of families and
longtime players. We are a family, of sorts.
MAKE YOUR PICKS: Go to
www.runyourpool.com, log in,
select your Pool, then select YOUR BRACKETS, and select MAKE YOUR PICKS.
Dropdown selections are similiar to what we used before.
MULTIPLE
entries- Use CREATE ANOTHER BRACKET ENTRY at bottom of this screen.
How Pay Entry Fee: Entry fee is $15 for both STANDARD and for SEEDED. This year BOTH Pools will have a Second Chance Pool! Venmo- enter my ID
@Christopher-Grady-17 PayPal or
credit card - no PayPal this year CHECK (includes
information on
how to mail
check. Mail to Chris Grady, 2307 Rosemont Pl, W, Seattle, WA 98199
SUPPORT!!! I know there will be questions. I have blocked
Monday through Thursday to answer questions. DO NOT HESITATE to contact
me at
chris@gradygroup.com with questions. x
2022 Results
STANDARD POOL:
Congratulations to Carla Kinnier (121 points) in STANDARD to
win first place- and won $559. Her 67% Pick Percentage reflects
several upsets. For comparison, past percentage of winners:
2021-69%, 2020- Covid, 2019-79%, 2018- 67% 2017- 70%, 2016- 71%,
2015- 71%, 2014- 67%, 2013- 71%, 2012- 73%, 2011- 56%, 2010-
82%, 2009-76%, 73% in 2008, 78% in 2007, 70% in 2006, 71% in
2005 and 70% in 2004).
Carla Kinnier was the Manager of GRADYs Grillhouse
from 1991-1996. She has been trying to win for 28 years-
actually, the Pool has been run since 1992- so this is our 30th
year. Carla reports. “Year number one was 1992 when Christian
Laettner hit that prayer shot to beat KY. How do I remember
that? I had Kentucky that year!!” Also, I remember that the
first few years, all scoring was calculated by hand. The
TurboTourney software was not available until 1996. Casey Yates(112 points) got
second ($232) and Dan Lake (110 points), third place
($139). Both had 139 points. Fourth place finisher Pete Doyle missed
the money by 1 point.
SEEDED POOL:
In the SEEDED bracket,
Casey Yates took first place with 270 points- he picked
only 60% of winners - and received $212. He made lots of
points in early rounds, which is the key to the SEEDED bracket.
And Michael Doyle scooped second while Luke Taylor placed
third.
Recent history: 2021- 280 points,
2020-Covid, 2019, 314 points- 2018, 251 points in 2017, 251
points in 2016, 300 in 2015, 341 in 2014, 257 in 2013, 261 in
2012, 276 in 2011, 266 in 2010, 239 in 2009, 270 in 2008, 212 in
2007, 255 points in 2006, 235 in 2005- 189.
SECOND CHANCE POOL:
Finally, the SECOND CHANCE bracket. Stephen Gierman,
120 total points, claimed the winner-take-all total prize of
$475. Stephen won easily, as being the only player to select all
Final Four teams as well as Kansas playing UNC for championship.
Special SHOUT-OUT
to
CASEY YATES:
Casey finished 1st in The Seeded- and second in the
Standard. His secret: very unclear!
I hope that everyone had fun this year. I’ll be back next year
for the 31st time! And next year we will have new software. This
year I ran a test Pool with 7 volunteers . Everyone loves it-
players found it easy to use with much greater control- and as
an Administrator, the new software is so much easier for me.
FINAL 4 REPORT: features a #1
seed (Kansas), 2-#2 seeds (Duke and Villanova), and a #8 seed
(UNC). We should have three very competitive games this coming
weekend.
STANDARD:
Cynthia Arrowhead, Shannon Conroy, Carla Kinnier,
Nathan Pickette, and Patrick Yates can take the
First-Place prize. If the favorite (the only #1 seed) Kansas wins, then
Carla Kinnier will battle Patrick Yates for First Place.
Final Four features a #1 seed (Kansas), 2-#2 seeds (Duke and Villanova),
and a #8 seed (UNC). We should have
three very competitive games
SECOND CHANCE:
Chanel Aquino, Matt
Conroy, Stephen Gierman, Ted Housekeeper, Tim Perry,
Orion Roper, and Jeff Sims are in the running for the
Winner-Take-All First prize. If the favorite (the only #1 seed) Kansas
wins, then Matt Conway and Stephen Gierman will contest for First Place.
SEEDED: First: Casey Yates WON!-
Second and Third Place: To claim Second Place, Luke Taylor needs Duke to
win first game to move past Mike Doyle.
And then there is St. Peters .I really enjoyed
watching their Sweat 16 game against Purdue. They played so relaxed.
Nothing to lose. Then in the Elite8 game,
the pressure was obvious. I remember at some point in early second half,
they were reported as making a miserable 30% of their shots. And UNC was
making some incredible shots! Finally, the Peacock’s defense folded at
same time. Not a winning formula. But St. Peters had a nice run.
Congratulations to Bob Tom (136
points) in STANDARD to win first place- and won $601. His
79% Pick Percentage ties the highest ever! For comparison, past
percentage of winners: 2018- 67% 2017- 70%, 2016- 71%, 2015-
71%, 2014- 67%, 2013- 71%, 2012- 73%, 2011- 56%, 2010- 82%,
2009-76%, 73% in 2008, 78% in 2007, 70% in 2006, 71% in 2005 and
70% in 2004).
James Mirante got second ($250) and
Jeff Sims, third place ($150).
In the SEEDED bracket, Phil Thwaitstook
first place with 280 points- he picked an outstanding 75% of
winners - and received $164. He also is one of the rare, but not
unprecedented, winners to NOT pick the Champion, Virginia. He
made lots of points in early rounds, which is the key to the
SEEDED bracket. And Bob Tom scooped
second and collected another $69. Randy Miles
placed third ($41)- Randy also did not pick Virginia but still
placed.
Recent history:
314 points- 2018, 251 points in 2017, 251 points in 2016, 300 in
2015, 341 in 2014, 257 in 2013, 261 in 2012, 276 in 2011, 266 in
2010, 239 in 2009, 270 in 2008, 212 in 2007, 255 points in 2006,
235 in 2005- 189.
Finally, the SECOND CHANCE bracket. Maxwell
Rose, 92 total points, claimed the winner-take-all
total prize of $510. Max managed to pick 5 of the Elite 8 teams,
3 of the Final 4 teams, and one of the Championship teams.
I am upgrading my Fun Fact from 2018 to add Max as another
winner from the Doyle Clan:
Fun Fact:
The Doyle Clan has
won money in 10 of the 14 years that they have played. I want to
drink whatever they are drinking :-)
I hope that everyone had fun this year. I’ll be back next year
for the 28th time! As usual, please let me know if
you have any ideas on how to make the NCAA Men’s Basketball
Championship experience even more fun.
Congratulations to Bob Tom (136 points) in STANDARD to win first
place- and won $601. His 79% Pick Percentage ties the highest ever! For comparison, past percentage of winners:
2018- 67% 2017-
70%, 2016- 71%, 2015- 71%, 2014- 67%, 2013- 71%, 2012- 73%, 2011- 56%,
2010- 82%, 2009-76%, 73% in 2008, 78% in 2007, 70% in 2006, 71% in 2005
and 70% in 2004).
James Mirante got second ($250) and Jeff Sims, third place ($150).
In the SEEDED bracket, Phil Thwaitstook
first place with 280 points- he picked an outstanding 75% of winners - and received
$164. He also is one of the rare, but not unprecedented, winners to NOT
pick the Champion, Virginia. He made lots of points in early rounds,
which is the key to the SEEDED bracket. And Bob Tom scooped second
and collected another $69. Randy Miles placed third ($41)- Randy also
did not pick Virginia but still placed.
Recent history: 314 points- 2018, 251 points in 2017, 251 points in 2016, 300 in
2015, 341 in 2014, 257 in 2013, 261 in 2012, 276 in 2011, 266 in 2010,
239 in 2009, 270 in 2008, 212 in 2007, 255 points in 2006, 235 in 2005-
189.
Finally, the SECOND CHANCE bracket. Maxwell Rose,
92 total points, claimed the
winner-take-all total prize of $510. Maxwell managed to pick 5 of the
Elite 8 teams, 3 of the Final 4 teams, and one of the Championship
teams.
I hope that everyone had fun this year. I’ll be back next year for the
28th time! As usual, please let me know if you have any ideas
on how to make the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship experience
even more fun.
Congratulations to Josh
Gately (145 points) in STANDARD to win first
place- and won $547. Because of upsets, Josh's winning percentage 67% is
lowest in history! For comparison, past percentage of winners: 2017-
70%, 2016- 71%, 2015- 71%, 2014- 67%, 2013- 71%, 2012- 73%, 2011- 56%,
2010- 82%, 2009-76%, 73% in 2008, 78% in 2007, 70% in 2006, 71% in 2005
and 70% in 2004).
Ron Yeager Sr and Joy Leventon. Ron got second ($228) and
Joy Leventon, third place ($137). NOTE: Joy is my wonderful ex-boss from
many years ago. What goes around, comes around!
In the SEEDED bracket, Brandon Maddontook
first place with 314 points- he picked 57% of winners - and received
$188. And Michael Doyle scooped second ($78) only 5 points
back, with 309 points.
And then there is first-time player Angela Baker who pocketed $47 for
her third place finish. Angela is the mother of the infamous 6-year-old Evie (3rd place last
year)- guess they want to keep the money in the family!!
Recent history: 251 points in 2017, 251 points in 2016, 300 in
2015, 341 in 2014, 257 in 2013, 261 in 2012, 276 in 2011, 266 in 2010,
239 in 2009, 270 in 2008, 212 in 2007, 255 points in 2006, 235 in 2005-
189.
Finally, the SECOND CHANCE bracket. Reid
Porter, 108 total points, claimed the
winner-take-all total prize of $465.00. Reid managed to pick 5 of the
Elite 8 teams, 3 of the Final 4 teams, and both of the Championship
teams. And Reid has won the big-payout Second Chance Pool, 2 out of the
past 3 years! New player Andrew Roper also had 108. But lost in
the tie breaker! Final score was 79-62- or 141 Total points. Reid's tie
breaker was 135 while Andrew picked 150. Reid won because his tie
breaker did not go OVER the total score.
Fun fact: The Doyle Clan has won money in 9 of the 13 years that
they have played. I want to drink whatever they are drinking :-)
I hope that everyone had fun this year. I’ll be back next year for the
27th time! As usual, please let me know if you have any ideas
on how to make the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship experience even more fun.
Congratulations to Doug Malmoe (145 points) who
picked 73% of the winners in STANDARD to
win first place- and won $486. For comparison, past percentage of
winners: 2016- 71%, 2015- 71%, 2014- 67%, 2013- 71%, 2012- 73%, 2011-
56%, 2010- 82%, 2009-76%, 73% in 2008, 78% in 2007, 70% in 2006, 71% in
2005 and 70% in 2004). Ladd Wiles and Evan Doyle. Wiles got second
($202.50) and edged out Evan Doyle, third place ($121.50), by one point.
In the SEEDED
bracket, as previously announced, Casey Yates took first place
with 251 points- he picked 60% of winners. - and $247.00.And Ron Schmid scooped second ($61.25) only 2 points back, with
249 points.
And then there is first-time player Evie Baker who
pocketed $36.75 for her third place finish. It is unusual for a first
time player to place in the top three. But warning to all all-longtime
players: Evie has perfected a unique system for picking winners. Her
father, Warren, sent me this email. Oh, did I mention that Evie is
5-years old!
Evie Baker (5) filled out her bracket by looking at
all of the mascots (head-to-head) and asking herself the basic question:
"if both mascot were a 'stuffy', which one would I want?"This method resulted in a ridiculous 13 sweet sixteen teams
correctly picked (only accomplished by one other person in both
formats)!
Recent history: 251 points in 2016, 300 in 2015, 341
in 2014, 257 in 2013, 261 in 2012, 276 in 2011, 266 in 2010, 239 in
2009, 270 in 2008, 212 in 2007, 255 points in 2006, 235 in 2005- 189.
Finally, the SECOND CHANCE
bracket. Evan Doyle, 112 total points, claimed the winner-take-all total
prize of $415.00. Evan managed to pick 6 of the Elite 8 teams, 3 of the
Final 4 teams, and both of the Championship teams. Outstanding.
I hope that everyone had fun this year. I’ll be back
next year for the 26th time! As usual, please let me know if you have
any ideas on how to make the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship
experience even more fun.
Congratulations to Josh
Gately (145 points) in STANDARD to win first
place- and won $547. Because of upsets, Josh's winning percentage 67% is
lowest in history! For comparison, past percentage of winners: 2017-
70%, 2016- 71%, 2015- 71%, 2014- 67%, 2013- 71%, 2012- 73%, 2011- 56%,
2010- 82%, 2009-76%, 73% in 2008, 78% in 2007, 70% in 2006, 71% in 2005
and 70% in 2004).
Ron Yeager Sr and Joy Leventon. Ron got second ($228) and
Joy Leventon, third place ($137). NOTE: Joy is my wonderful ex-boss from
many years ago. What goes around, comes around!
In the SEEDED bracket, Brandon Maddontook
first place with 314 points- he picked 57% of winners - and received
$188. And Michael Doyle scooped second ($78) only 5 points
back, with 309 points.
And then there is first-time player Angela Baker who pocketed $47 for
her third place finish. Angela is the mother of the infamous 6-year-old Evie (3rd place last
year)- guess they want to keep the money in the family!!
Recent history: 251 points in 2017, 251 points in 2016, 300 in
2015, 341 in 2014, 257 in 2013, 261 in 2012, 276 in 2011, 266 in 2010,
239 in 2009, 270 in 2008, 212 in 2007, 255 points in 2006, 235 in 2005-
189.
Finally, the SECOND CHANCE bracket. Reid
Porter, 108 total points, claimed the
winner-take-all total prize of $465.00. Reid managed to pick 5 of the
Elite 8 teams, 3 of the Final 4 teams, and both of the Championship
teams. And Reid has won the big-payout Second Chance Pool, 2 out of the
past 3 years! New player Andrew Roper also had 108. But lost in
the tie breaker! Final score was 79-62- or 141 Total points. Reid's tie
breaker was 135 while Andrew picked 150. Reid won because his tie
breaker did not go OVER the total score.
Fun fact: The Doyle Clan has won money in 9 of the 13 years that
they have played. I want to drink whatever they are drinking :-)
I hope that everyone had fun this year. I’ll be back next year for the
27th time! As usual, please let me know if you have any ideas
on how to make the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship experience even more fun.
* $30 expenses deducted from total of both pools on a
proportional basis ($26.00 Standard- $4 Seeded)
SECOND CHANCE
POOL: Winner take ALL- Kristi Nayquonabe: 62 players @$5= $310
Congratulations to Wendy Beasley (82
points) who picked 67% of the winners in STANDARD to win first
place- and $357. For comparison, past percentage of winners: 2013- 71%,
2012- 73%, 2011- 56%, 2010- 82%, 2009-76%, 73% in 2008, 78% in 2007, 70%
in 2006, 71% in 2005 and 70% in 2004).
Mark Tom (78 points- $149) and Ron Yeager
(77 points- $89) placed a close second and third respectively.
In the SECOND CHANCE bracket, Kristi Nayquonabe
takes the $310 prize by picking an 60% of winners. Not one person in
this entire 62 person bracket picked UConn to win!
Finally, the SEEDED bracket Ron Schmid carries
$87 away as first place finisher without picking UConn to win- Ron's
point total of 341 was a record high- 65% winning percentage. Recent
history: 257 in 2013, 261 in 2012, 276 in 2011, 266 in 2010, 239 in
2009, 270 in 2008, 212 in 2007, 255 points in 2006, 235 in 2005- 189.
Warren Baker placed second while third place finisher
is Brent Kremen. Everyone should consider playing in
this bracket next year- picking early round upsets is the key.
It is fantastic that we had so many families playing this year. Although
both the Doyles and the Porters were shut out this year, the
Nayquonabe's did well.
Conroy- 2, Doyle-3, Gately-3, Grady-2, Nayquonabe-3, Porter-5, Schmid-
3, Tom- 3, Wiles- 3 and Yates- 2.
This was a very odd year- with many upsets. Never in NCAA history has a
number 7 seed played for the championship! Never in our 19 year history
has no one, in any of the three Pools selected the winner. Thanks to all
for playing in a crazy year- our 19th year (started in 1996 when all
entries were tabulated by hand!). Hope you all had fun. Email me if you
have any suggestions for next year.
PRIOR TOURNAMENT COMPLETE RESULTS
2013 RESULTS
STANDARD
SEEDED
64 entries- $621.00 POOL*
20 entries- $194 POOL*
First- 60%
Ron Yeager
$372.60
Jennie Reed
$116.40
Second- 25%
Chris Nayquonabe
$155.25
Ron Schmid
$48.50
Third- 15%
Kayten Porter
$93.15
Ladd Wyles
$29.10
* $25 expenses deducted from total of both pools on a
proportional basis ($19.00 Standard- $6 Seeded)
SECOND CHANCE
POOL: Winner take ALL- Pete Doyle: 64 players @$5= $320
Congratulations to Ron Yeager (142 points) who picked 71% of
the winners in STANDARD to win first place- and $372. For comparison,
past percentage of winners: 2012- 73%, 2011- 56%, 2010- 82%, 2009-76%, 73% in
2008, 78% in 2007, 70% in 2006, 71% in 2005 and 70% in 2004).
Chris Nayquonabe (122 points- $155) and Kayten Porter
(first time winner) (121 points- $93) placed a distant second and third
respectively.
In the SECOND CHANCE bracket, once again a Doyle (Peter)
takes the $320 prize (in fact the Doyle clan took the took the top three spots-
something in their blood??) by picking an 73% of winners.
Finally, the SEEDED bracket newcomer Jennie Reed carries
$116 away as first place finisher without picking Louisville to win with a
respectful 67% winning percentage and 257 points. Recent history: 261 in 2012,
276 in 2011, 266 in 2010, 239 in 2009, 270 in 2008, 212 in 2007, 255 points in
2006, 235 in 2005- 189. Ron Schmid placed second again (2012)
while third place finisher is Ladd Wyles. Everyone should
consider playing in this bracket next year- picking early round upsets is the
key.
Thanks to all for playing in a crazy year- our 18th year (started in 1996 when
all entries were tabulated by hand!). Hope you all had fun. Email me if you have
any suggestions for next year.
2012 RESULTS
STANDARD
SEEDED
58 entries- $569.00 POOL*
18 entries- $176 POOL*
First- 60%
Pete Doyle
$341.40
Matt Conroy
$105.60
Second- 25%
Patrick Yates
$142.25
Ron Schmid
$44.00
Third- 15%
Phil Tom
85.35
Patrick Yates
$26.40
* $25 expenses deducted from total of both pools on a
proportional basis ($21.00 Standard- $4 Seeded)
SECOND CHANCE
POOL: Winner take ALL- Pete Doyle: 58 players @$5= $290
2011 RESULTS
STANDARD
SEEDED
65 entries- $629.00 POOL*
17 entries- $166 POOL*
First- 60%
Cole Calabro
$377.40
Patrick Yates
$99.60
Second- 25%
Thomas Doyle
$157.25
Rick Jewett
$41.50
Third- 15%
Brian Mohoric
94.35
Robert Stern
$14.90
* $25 expenses deducted from total of both pools on a
proportional basis ($21.00 Standard- $4 Seeded)
SECOND CHANCE
POOL: Winner take ALL- Kevin Grady: 65 players @$5= $325
The
2014 NCAA Men's Basketball Tourney is approaching- draws for the 64-team
tournament will be held next Sunday, March 16th. I will send out one
more blast email to all once the draw has been completed, and the entry
form is ready, on Sunday- and one on Wednesday as a final reminder.
Last year's tournament was a huge success. We need to make it better
this year! Most importantly bookmark this WEBPAGE location:
http://www.GradyGroup.com/ncaa
Since most of you are previous participants, you know how it works. If
you are NEW this year, please review the links below for more detailed
info.
How
Enter Selections: Click
here and enter online. Click on either STANDARD or SEEDED just under
spinning basketball.
Please enter LAST name- then first name (example: Grady, Chris).
If you enter more than
once, please label the second entry #2 after your last name-
example, Grady #2, Chris.
How
Pay Entry Fee:
Click here
for CASH or CHECK- click here for
PayPal
If you have any issues with entry or payment,
please email me.
Please talk this UP! Forward web page link to friends so they can
see last year's Tourney!
2012- Congratulations to
Pete Dole
(157 points) who picked 73% of the winners in
STANDARD to win first place. For comparison, past percentage of winners:
2011- 56%, 2010- 82%, 2009-76%, 73% in 2008, 78% in 2007, 70% in 2006, 71% in
2005 and 70% in 2004).
Patrick Yates (133)
and Phil Tom (128) placed a distant second and third respectively.
In the SECOND CHANCE bracket,
Thomas Doyle
takes the
$290 winner-take-all prize by picking an excellent 87% of winners.
Finally, the SEEDED bracket Matt Conroy
carries $105 away as first place finisher without picking Kentucky to win with a
respectful 63% winning percentage and 261 points. Recent history: 276 in 2011, 266 in 2010, 239 in 2009, 270 in 2008, 212 in
2007, 255 points in 2006, 235 in 2005- 189. Ron Schmid placed second while third place
finisher is Patrick Yates. Interestingly, newcomer Julie
Quesada picked a higher percentage (65%) of winners
- just in th wrong order. Everyone should consider playing in this bracket next
year- picking early round upsets is the key.
2011- Congratulations to
Cole
Calabro who was the only player out of 65 in
STANDARD to pick UConn to win. Cole walks away smiling with $377, even though he
picked only 56% of the winners. For comparison, past percentage of winners:
2010- 82%, 2009-76%, 73% in 2008, 78% in 2007, 70% in 2006, 71% in 2005 and 70%
in 2004). Truly a tournament of upsets.
Thomas Doyle ($157)
and Brian Mohoric
($94) placed a distant second and third respectively.
In the SECOND CHANCE bracket, Kevin Grady
(nice job, son) again was the only player to pick UConn to win and takes the
$325 winner-take-all prize.
Finally, the SEEDED bracket Patrick Yates
carries $99 away as first place finisher. No one picked the winner in this
bracket- but Yates managed to pick 62% of winners. And his 276 points tops all
previous years in recent history: 266 in 2010, 239 in 2009, 270 in 2008, 212 in
2007, 255 points in 2006, 235 in 2005- 189. Rick
Jewett ($41) placed second while third place
finisher Robert Stern
pulled in $15- just enough to cover his entry fees!
4/07/2009-Congratulations
to Pete Doyle for picking selecting 76% of the winners - the one point
difference between first and second was the closest that I ever recall seeing in
this Pool's 15 years. Warren Baker had the misfortune of losing by one point.
But his consolation prize is that he also placed second in the Seed bracket.
Randy Miles finished third picking 73% of winners. Last year the champ picked
73% of winners (78% in 2007, 70% in 2006, 71% in 2005 and 70% in 2004). The
distribution of the pool is listed on the web site.
Kevin Grady won the SEEDED bracket easily with a 239 points. Warren Baker placed
second (213 points) and while Sam Wyles finished close with 204 points. Last
year's winner had 270 points (212 in 2007, 255 points in 2006, 235 in 2005- 189
in 2004).
Special kudos to Carter Kinnier, Pete Doyle and Kevin Grady. These gentlemen
acted as "money-drop-of-points."
NEXT YEAR: After 15 years, it is time for a change! After the
first week the 64 teams are down to 16. As a consequence, over one-half of the
Pool participants are effectively out-of-the-money. Next year we are going to
try a way to keep the interest going for everyone. Entry fee will be raised to
$15 (for STANDARD only). And a SECOND-CHANCE Pool will be added. When the Sweet
16 is determined, everyone will get to enter another pool, the SECOND CHANCE
POOL. Entries will be handled the same way-over the Internet. This time, of
course, the pool will have only 16 entries. This will be a separate pool and
will in no way relate to the first pool. While the total pool dollars will be
smaller, it still gives everyone hope!
04/07/08- Congratulations
to Doyle Thomas for picking selecting 73% of the winners and all four Final4
participates as well as the eventual winner, Kansas. -- while Dianne Gately
placed second with a pick rate of 71%. Chris Nayquonabe finished third with 70%
of winners. Last year the champ picked 78% of winners (70% in 2006, 71% in 2005
and 70% in 2004).
Sam Arabo won the SEEDED bracket easily with a record 270 points. Ladd Wyles
placed second (258 points) and while P Y Yates finished close third with 253
points. Last year's winner had 212 points (255 points in 2006, 235 in 2005- 189
in 2004).
Special kudos to Carter Kinnier and Kevin Grady. These gentlemen acted as
"money-drop-of-points." Carter had 25 people in his group while Kevin found 26
participants in the Chicago area (the remaining 29 mailed checks directly to
me). Next year we will have a contest between these 2 groups to see who can get
more participants- $25 to winner (Carter or Kevin)!
04/02/07 Congratulations
to Ladd Wyles for picking Florida to repeat while Joe Nayquonabe placed second -
both had an outstanding pick rate of 81%. Pete Doyle finished in third with 78%
of winners.
Brandin Madden won the SEEDED bracket with 212 points. Kevin Grady (good
job, son) placed second and there was a tie for third between Brent Kremen and
Randy Miles.
04/04/06 Reid Porter, with a total of 100 points (70% correct picks), picks up the
$216.50 first prize in the Standard Division (60% to winner, 25% to second, and
15% to third place). No one this year picked the winner, Florida although all
three top contestants had 2 of the final 4 picked correctly. 4-year old genius
Kate Doyle placed second with 90 points (63%)- although I will make the check
out to her Dad, Pete. Phil Tom (1) tied with himself (Phil Tom (2)) with 86
points (65%)for third place. Yes, I did predict more winners than Kate (65% vs
63%)- but Kate picked more in the later rounds when more points were awarded.
Phil Tom returns in the SEEDED Division to barely win with 255 points (65%)-
Warren Baker debuts with a second place finish, 250 points (62%) while Robert
Stern placed third with 201 points (59%).
NEXT YEAR: Next year we are thinking about raising the entry fee by $1 to $11.
The extra dollar would go to the person with the dubious honor of finishing last
in each division. While it is conceivable that someone might try to "win" last
place, the biggest loser would at least recover his/her entry fee. Imagine what
would if someone had picked George Mason this year to win, in an attempt to
place last-- they might have won. Let me know your thoughts on this idea.
Thanks for playing this year- 2007 will be here sooner than we want. Have a
great year...
03/19/05: 64 to 32! The Tourney is off to a great start. Only a couple
of major upsets (hello, Syracuse; hello, Alabama, hello, LSU--and hello,
Kansas). Bucknell wins its first NCAA Tourney game EVER!
In the STANDARD Division, several people got 27 out of the 32 winners
correct- a 84% winning percentage- not bad
POINTS GAUGE: It's just a graphic to show how many points a player
has already received and how many more possible points he can get. The
number in yellow shows how many points the player has now- the number in
green shows how many more points the player could accumulate in every entry
picked is correct.
PENCIL: Clicking on the pencil in Tournament Standing will show all
the players that picked each team of that game. A cool new feature.
I have been updating the Results and the Standing Reports several times
daily, and I will continue to do so this weekend. The time and status of the
tournament are post at the TOP LEFT on each report so you will know
when it was last updated.
As most of you know, I sold GRADY's GRILLHOUSE
last May (2004). I have had numerous requests to keep the Tourney going, so I am
going to do so. I have moved the GRADY'S GRILLHOUSE web page to my personal
server- please bookmark this location. Entry forms, rules, standings, will be
posted here.
Now-- the problem will be in collecting the entry fee ($10.00 per entry). Those
of you who gave your entry checks to Carter Kinnier (mainly Virginia Mason
people-- and their friends) can continue to do so. All others will need to mail
checks to me:
Chris Grady
2307 Rosemont Place West
Seattle, WA 98199
Phone: (206) 660-8742
I will need to receive these checks prior to Thursday's (March 17) cut-off
deadline. So please mail checks NOW-
and use the web-based entry forms to make your selections after the Sunday,
March 13th bracket drawings.
Please talk this UP! Forward web page link to friends so they can see last
year's Tourney!
05/04/04- GRADY'S served it's last Kelly's Big-K Prime Rib
sandwich yesterday, Tuesday.
I sold GRADY'S to the owner of the successful Madrona Eatery and Ale
House. Burke Shethar, and his crew, are going to extensively renovate GRADY’S
and shortly will reopen as the MONTLAKE ALEHOUSE. So, bear with Burke while he
creates Montlake’s newest eatery. Remodel should take 4 to 6 weeks.
I had a lot of fun operating GRADY'S. The time had come in the
restaurant life cycle to make some aesthetic changes in order to keep old, and
attract new, customers. After nearly 15 years, it is time for new thoughts and
new ideas (and new money!!)
I, and all of my staff
over the last 15 years, would like to thank you, our customers, for lots of
happy memories. (I can be reached at
cgrady@grady.com)
NCAA BASKETBALL TOURNEY TIME!!
04/06/04-
UC wins it all. In the STANDARD DIVISION, Pete Doyle is the first person ever to
win, without having picked the tournament champion. But he did pick 70% of all
the winners. Outstanding. Brain Hadfield and Robert Desmond tied for second with
one point less than Doyle. This year we had 64 entries.
My son, Kevin Grady, picked UConn to win
the SEEDED DIVISION. He was the only player in the pool of 14 that picked the
eventual winner. His 208 points beat last year's 203 points. Robert Stern
finished second, followed by Brent Kremen.
03/18/04-
Follow results here. Results will be updated by 8AM Friday, Saturday, Sunday,
and Monday mornings for the first weekend.
I will be traveling to Coos Bay Friday, Saturday, and Sunday to
visit my granddaughter. I hope to be able to update this web page remotely-- if
it fails, then results for these 3 days will be posted Monday morning.
03/17/03- Click
here for the RULES.
If any problems come up, what is printed in Rules shall prevail!
04/08/03- SYRACUSE CHAMPS!!!
Diane Gately
grabbed the Standard Division's first prize of $336! Good job! Jason Thomas took
second with Pete Doyle picking up third place.
The Seeded Division was over before the Final Four started-
Bill Alberger took the $114 First prize, David Emrich placed second and Scott
Tom beat Brent Kremen using the tie-breaker for third place.
TIDBITS: No one picked Syracuse to win it
all...Standard was won with 81 points (76%) compared to last year's 128 points
(59%), and 2001 of 155 points - 203 points (63%) captured the Seeded first place
(last year 245 points (also 63%) was needed)... 96 points were needed to place
in the money for the Standard Division while 187 was needed in the
Seeded...there were 56 entries in Standard and 19 in Seeded, up from 53 in
Standard and 14 in Seeded in 2002.
Bill Alberger wins the Farthest Away Award (although Bill
Lakel is currently "on temporary assignment" in Hong Kong), as well as first in
Seeded.. they must know something in Washington DC that we don't on the West
Coast. Speaking of the coast, we had a couple participants from the Oregon
coast, Coos Bay. My son, Kevin (he is going to kill me for saying this) is a
Syracuse graduate-and did he pick his own alma mater to go further than the
Sweet 16?
Losers...Chuck Pietzsch,
a first time participant, managed to get dead last in both brackets: 40% winners
in Seeded - only 36% in Standard. All the players this year would love it if
Chuck tries again next year.
Thanks for everyone's participation this year. I will look
forward to next year's Tourney.
03/13/03- Below I
have copied final final thoughts from last year! Last year we had a total of 67
participants- let's triple that this year-- and triple the prizes!!
Here are some highlights of
last
year's (2002) contest.
In the Standard Division, Tim Keran's win with 128 points was less than Joe
Bosch's 2001 win with 155 points. Tim picked 59% of the games correctly (several
people were picked 65% of the games correctly-just the wrong games!!). Reid
Porter managed to pick 43% of the games right to score 46 points and finish last
in the Standard.
Reid continued to demonstrate his ability in the SEEDED division-he got 93
points and 40% correct-and he maintained his skill level-dead last also in this
division. In fact, both of his entries were second to last and last!
Interestingly, his buddy, Phil Tom, duplicated this hat trick (minus one) last
year-Phil was also last in both divisions in 2001 with 154 points and 54%
correct in Seeded and 62 points and 27% in the Standard). Last year Rick Jewett
won this division with 228 points and 63% correct while 2002 had Mark Anderson
winning with 245 points and 63% correct. Player Brent Kremen had the highest
winning percentage, a respectable 70%-but he picked the wrong champ!
Total participants were 67 (53 Standard-14 Seeded) this year- way up from 32 (27
Standard-5 Seeded) .So that's it for 2002. I have awarded Mr. Porter a free
burger at GRADY'S for being so nice to the rest of you. I hope so see you at
GRADY'S during the Mariner season, as well as the NBA playoffs.
04/07/02- Our March madness ended with happy winners!
Here are some highlights of this
year's contest.
In the Standard Division, Tim Keran's win with 128 points was less than Joe
Bosch's 2001 win with 155 points. Tim picked 59% of the games correctly (several
people were picked 65% of the games correctly-just the wrong games!!). Reid
Porter managed to pick 43% of the games right to score 46 points and finish last
in the Standard.
Reid continued to demonstrate his ability in the SEEDED division-he got 93
points and 40% correct-and he maintained his skill level-dead last also in this
division. In fact, both of his entries were second to last and last!
Interestingly, his buddy, Phil Tom, duplicated this hat trick (minus one) last
year-Phil was also last in both divisions in 2001 with 154 points and 54%
correct in Seeded and 62 points and 27% in the Standard). Last year Rick Jewett
won this division with 228 points and 63% correct while 2002 had Mark Anderson
winning with 245 points and 63% correct. Player Brent Kremen had the highest
winning percentage, a respectable 70%-but he picked the wrong champ!
Total participants were 67 (53 Standard-14 Seeded) this year- way up from 32 (27
Standard-5 Seeded) .So that's it for 2002. I have awarded Mr. Porter a free
burger at GRADY'S for being so nice to the rest of you. I hope so see you at
GRADY'S during the Mariner season, as well as the NBA playoffs.
Neighborhood
Deals Grady's fans go to catch the culinary game
Grady's is "not a sports bar," owner Chris Grady emphatically states, "except
when there's a Husky home game." And I believe him. Young and old were clearly
there for the heaping platefuls of the kind of food people used to have time and
energy to cook at home, prepared by chef Cindy Thompson. [01:15
a.m. Dec. 21, 2001]
It's
NCAA Tourney Time!! 
