espn tournament challenge

[Nevadaref]

I really dislike the scoring system which ESPN uses.

It over weights the picks at the end imo.

I would propose the following method of scoring. Each correct pick is worth their seed # in points multiplied by the round # of the tournament game.

So picking a #1 seed to win in the first round would be worth: 1 x 1 = 1 point.

However, selecting a #5 seed such as Butler or Michigan State this year to win their regional final and advance to the Final Four would be worth: 5 x 4 = 20 points.

The St. Mary's upset of Villanova would have been worth the same amount: 10 x 2 = 20 points, but Cornell over Wisconsin would have netted the selector 24 points.

In considering if this system awards about the right amount of points think about how likely it is for a #1, #2, or #3 seed to win the title versus how likely it is that a #10 seed makes it to the Sweet 16 or a #7 seed reaches the Elite 8. What do think would be the more difficult prediction to make correctly and thus should be worth more points?

Perhaps people could go through their brackets and post their score under the Nevada System.
Mine would be:
1st round: 97
2nd round: 58
3rd round: 18
4th round and beyond: zero
Total: 173

[Rich]

Originally Posted by just another ref

Here's another stat. In our happy little group, nobody got 3 out of the 4.

Which is why I'm 4th. Still astounded, BTW.

I mean, look at this without any context:

21/32 first round
10/16 second round
5/8 Elite Eight
2/4 Final Four

Frankly, that's horrible. And I'm at the 98.4 percentile on ESPN. Amazing.

My best result now is Duke beating W.Va. and then losing in the final to either Butler or Michigan State. I'm guessing that would probably leave me right about where I sit now.

[grunewar]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

You're one of the few giving our boy "Carnac" a run for his money.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by grunewar

You're one of the few giving our boy "Carnac" a run for his money.

My point is that I haven't done much of anything. I picked West Virginia to go to the Final Four. Only "upset" pick, really. Oh, I picked Baylor to go to the Elite Eight.

So nobody picked 3 of the 4? No surprise, I guess, since few outside of Michigan would've picked Michigan State and even fewer picked Butler.

My wife's bracket is right behind mine, BTW. She is one first round pick (equivalent) behind mine. She knows nothing about basketball. She thought she was picking Ohio State when she picked Ohio to beat Georgetown.

[CoachP]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

So nobody picked 3 of the 4? No surprise, I guess, since few outside of Michigan would've picked Michigan State and even fewer picked Butler.

I've got 3 out of 4.
Duke, MSU, WV. (Vandy was my 4th, thought they had a cushy bracket)

But couldn't get bracket loaded in on time this year.
22 of 32 R1
8 of 16 R2
5 of 8 R3
3 of 4 R4
Have MSU beating Duke.

[Nevadaref]

Originally Posted by CoachP

But couldn't get bracket loaded in on time this year.

Coach, that's the equivalent of telling the referee, "I officiate in [some other state]," before the game.

[Nevadaref]

LAS VEGAS -- Duke is the favorite among the Final Four to win the NCAA title, while Michigan State is a longshot despite its trip to the finals last year, oddsmakers in Las Vegas said Monday.
Las Vegas Sports Consultants made Duke a 7-5 favorite to win the title and a 2.5-point favorite to beat West Virginia in the semifinals on Saturday night, oddsmaker Kenny White said.
"They've probably had the easiest run," White said of the Blue Devils (33-5), who beat Arkansas-Pine Bluff, California and Purdue before beating Baylor 78-71 on Sunday to reach the Final Four.
White said either Duke or West Virginia would likely be favored over Butler or Michigan State in the finals.
The Las Vegas-based firm that recommends betting lines to 90 percent of sports books in Nevada said Butler had a 5-2 chance of winning the title and put West Virginia's chances at 2-1 and Michigan State's at 17-5.
The firm said Butler is favored by 1.5 points in its game against Michigan State.
Michigan State (28-8) has reached the Final Four six of the past 12 years, but was expected to be an underdog with the Bulldogs playing near their home court in Indianapolis. Butler is listed as the host school for the Final Four.
"[The Spartans] were there last year -- that's quite an advantage -- but they are matched up on the road basically playing in Indianapolis," White said. "They'll be the underdog in both games."
The Las Vegas Hilton, which listed Duke as a 6-5 favorite and Michigan State as an 11-2 underdog, saw bettors flocking to Butler at 7-2 odds to win the title, said Chris Graham, race and sports coordinator.
"Butler's definitely the Cinderella," Graham said.
White said that despite the odds, the Final Four teams were not very far apart, with the widest spread for the finals expected at 4.5 or 5 points if Duke plays Michigan State.
"Anything could happen here, believe me," White said.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by grunewar

You're one of the few giving our boy "Carnac" a run for his money.

A: "Follow the yellow brick road."
Q: What are good directions to a urologist's office?

[CoachP]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

Coach, that's the equivalent of telling the referee, "I officiate in [some other state]," before the game.

[Adam]

One of two coaches in the country who could make me root for Krewshewooskey; so Go Duke!

[DLH17]

Somebody has fallen deeply in love with the blue font.

You're welcome.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by DLH17

Somebody has fallen deeply in love with the blue font.

You're welcome.

Ah, that wasn't sarcasm; it was blue in support of Duke.

[DLH17]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

Ah, that wasn't sarcasm; it was blue in support of Duke.

ya ya, whatever

[grunewar]

"I could be the dumbest guy in America. I have no one in the final four....."

Tony Kornheiser, PTI, 3/30/2010

[M&M Guy]

Originally Posted by grunewar

"I could be the dumbest guy in America. I have no one in the final four....."

Tony Kornheiser, PTI, 3/30/2010

Finally, I'm tied for something! I'm tied for "Dumbest Guy in America"! Whoo hoo!

However, I will continue to strive to be the best.