'GANZA ™ HISTORY IS MADE!

                                          This is Daskull and Dawn F. They kinda look happy.

In an incredibly exciting Extravaganza Final, Daskull the Cat became the first non-human being to win the 'Ganza™. The feline overcame a strong showing by Eric S. and many years of cursed prognosticating by her owner, Dawn F.

Dawn F. has participated in the Extravaganza for 2 decades now and until today she has long been known for being the First Person Eliminated thanks in large part to her ludicrous picks. A good example of this is her decision this year to select St. Mary's.

But now she is known for being the First Person Whose Pet Humiliated Her By Winning The Extravaganza Before Her. Yes, it's a mouthful. But, hey, infamy ain't easy.

Daskull was quite pleased with her victory. "I dedicate this victory to Angus the Dog. Angus was a long-time participant who came close to winning but never managed to make it to the mountain top. Of course, a Cat had to achieve what a Dog could not!"

Eric S., who was so close to reaching glory he could almost taste it, did not seem too upset by his defeat. "Money can't buy the day I'm having, " he said.

Alright, everybody. Thanks for participating and to you losers, better luck next year. Send in your checks for $50. Leave the payee blank. Mail to:

Michael Shea
4707 Vantage Ave
Valley Village, Ca. 91607

                                 Daskull On The Verge Of Victory!

                This is Daskull checking the Ganza website picks page for results. 

In another crazy night of basketball,  eleven more Ganzans were down and out for the year. Add this to four others from the night before, and we now have a cat who could actually take this thing for the first time in our 27 year history! When asked about the significance of such a prospect, Daskull had this to say, "Meow." Upon hearing these comments, Daskull's owner, long time contestant Dawn F. was seen crying tears of both joy and pain in the corner of the room. After composing herself, Dawn spoke up and said, "While it really sticks in my craw that this damn cat has a decent chance to win while I've been playing this fu%#@! thing for decades now and have squat to show for it, I still couldn't be prouder of my little cutie shoo shoo puddie tat. "

This is Fla governor Rick Scott and Ex-NC gov. Pat McCrory. They are assholes.

So, what to look for tomorrow? If South Carolina and North Carolina are victorious, Daskull is the winner. If South Carolina and Kentucky win, Eric S. will be our winner. If Florida and North Carolina win, there will be a 3-way tie between Natalie/Hannah, Andrew C., and Ryder G.. And, if Florida and Kentucky win, there will be a 4-way tie between the three just mentioned and Eric S.. In case of a tie, there will be a tie-breaker involved. When Extravaganza co-founder and committee co-chair Michael S. was reached for comment, he appeared to have that proud father sparkle in his eye, and said, "Despite those bastards passing the bathroom bill in North Carolina and denying millions of North Carolinians and Floridians healthcare by not expanding Medicaid in their states, I've gotta pull for their teams tomorrow. Remember, just like with Jack S. winning two years ago, Natalie/Hannah are still minors. This means if they win, I win! I mean, of course I will buy them an ice cream cone or something, but let's get serious. We're talking big money here!" This reporter then turned to the other Extravaganza co-chair and co-founder Corey W, who had this to say, "I'm sorry, but I gotta go with the cat."

Good luck to the final five (or six).

9 More Go Down As WVU, Ariz, Purdue and Michigan Bite The Dust!

  This is the Xavier Blue Blob and Musketeer throwing one down after the big win.

In a stunning upset Thursday night, the #11 seed Xavier Musketeers finished with a 12-2 run and knocked out the #2 seed Arizona Wildcats, leaving only Gonzaga in their way to get to the Final Four. After the game it was announced that Xavier's Musketeer mascot had been scaring too many of the young children in their fanbase, and that the Blue Blob would be taking over official mascot duties for the remainder of the tournament. The two are shown above having a drink together after the shocking news. Despite news stories surfacing out of the right wing rumor mill about a rift between the two, the Blue Blob told this reporter that he owes his career to the Musketeer's tutelage in his younger days coming up through the mascot minor leagues. 

      This was to be Hannah, Lucy, Anabelle and Natalie's next album cover.

With Purdue biting the dust to top seeded Kansas tonight, Lucy/Anabelle have been knocked out of the 2017 Extravaganza. Throwing a kleenex box and screaming at the top of her lungs before she went to bed crying, Anabelle swore she and Lucy were quitting the band, leaving Natalie/Hannah not only still in the running to win this year's Ganza, but looking for a new bass and guitar player. When contacted for comment, Natalie had this to say, "After our hike and photo shoot at Joshua Tree, I thought we were friends. Now I'm not so sure. Oh well, I heard a rumor Adam Clayton and The Edge might be available, which would be sweet!" 

The following is a list of tonight's big losers. Au revoir, losers!

Michael S., Jack S., Joe K., Jon T., David G., Lucy/Anabelle, Rose F., Dawn F., Prune. 

And a Dog Shall Be First!

                                               This is Murray S. His owners let him down.

There have been many non-humans who have dared to dream the dream of an Extravaganza title. Unfortunately for poor Murray S., his dream ended today. With South Carolina's victory over Duke, Murray became the first, and only, 'Ganza™ participant to have all four teams eliminated.

But as has become customary for Children and Animals who suffer early exits, Murray S. did not go gently into the night. "I didn't want to take two Catholic schools," said Murray. "In fact, I told my owner, Tim S., 'I don't want these fucking Catholic schools!', of course all he could hear was barking so I guess I can't blame him."

"Fuck Me", sighed Murray.

A total of 12 other participants join Murray S. on the sidelines. Being mathematically eliminated sucks but the maths don't lie: Eliminated: Trevor G, Darrell C, Goose, David G, Seth E, Ed L., Pappy, Michael F, LA Frank G, Mo/Lucas, Murray S., Ellen D, Evan B, 

Mail your checks ASAP!

Let the joyous news be spread 

                     (....and the festivities begin!)

                  Lorenzo Romar has been fired!!

The AP is reporting that mere hours after meeting with and feeling the wrath of Ganza organizers Michael S. and Corey W., and mere hours before this year's Final Four Extravaganza was to begin, University of Washington athletic director Jen Cohen started things off with a bang by informing Husky basketball coach Lorenzo Romar his services would no longer be needed. Those sounds you are hearing...? A big sigh of relief and a few joyous yelps in Husky Nation tonight!

Although Michael S. and Corey W. deny any undue influence or recent contact with UW administrators by either themselves, any of the Ganza office staff, or Donald Trump's election team (including Paul Manafort, Steve Bannon, Michael Flynn, and a host of others), there is a pending investigation being pushed for by the minority Democratic party in congress. 

When asked for further comment, Corey W. had this to say, "I read on the internet that maybe Brandon Roy (Former Husky and NBA great, and current coach of Nathan Hale High School in Seattle (the number one rated high school basketball team in the country) could be next in line to lead the Huskies back to the promise land)). Just saying."

                        This is Brandon Roy. Hopefully the next Husky Coach.

Lastly, this year's Pick's Page will not be posted until tomorrow, due to staff layoffs and budget cuts.

Fuck You Lorenzo Romar!

Ok, now that we have that out of the way, Welcome to the 28th Annual Final Four Extravaganza! We here at the Extravaganza Organizing Committee find it remarkable that this is our 28th straight year of hosting this prestigious event. It seems like it was only yesterday that Michael S. won the very first 'Ganza™ by thoroughly humiliating Shelby W. and Corey W. Those were good times indeed. Good times.

Alas, things are not so happy in Ganzaland today. The Washington Huskies have never been worse and since everyone involved in the running of the Ganza™ is an ardent Husky fan things have never been more depressing. 

This is a truly awful time for little Hannah S. She's emphatic in her belief that Lorenzo Romar should be shown the door after his 6th straight season of failing to take his team to the NCAA tournament. "I've been waiting my entire life for the Huskies to make the tournament! How much more am I supposed to endure?" asked 5 year old Hannah.

To make matters worse poor Hannah's sister, Natalie S., was seen cavorting over Wendy's burgers with Coach Romar. Upon seeing the evidence of this encounter between Coach Romar and her traitorous sister, poor Hannah sighed and hung her head in shame. "I mean, just look at this sh*t," she said.

All picks need to be in by Wednesday night, March 15th at 9pm or immediately following the last play-in game, whichever is later. Good luck to all!