We Have A Winner!!

This is Homer S. celebrating one of the best Ganza's in years

                           This is Andrew C.,  2019 Extravaganza Champion.

Finishing off one of the most exciting couple weeks of March Madness in a long, long time, Andrew C. takes home the crown and joins Ed L. and Corey W. in the pantheon of Ganza history as a three-time winner. It took Auburn's Elite Eight overtime win over Kentucky to clinch the title for Mr. C., who impressively had chosen both 5th seeded Auburn and 3rd seeded Texas Tech to finish with one of the all time high win totals of 6 points. We tracked down Mr. C. in the streets of New York for comment where he had this to say, "Bah humbug. Leave me alone. I'm cold, I'm pissed off, I just got out of the hospital, and I don't want to hear anything you have to say."

         Andrew C. sleeping it off in the hospital after his post game celebration.

Regardless, we here at the Ganza wish Mr. C. a speedy recovery, and would like to offer our sincerest congratulations on his historic feat.

                                                 Here's to you Andrew C.

                                             This is Rose F.  She is a loser.
While not having a lot of experience in or around the winner's circle, Rose F. was seen crying in her soup early Sunday afternoon after her hopes were dashed. Hopefully this year's experience will better prepare her for the emotional rigors of future Ganza's. Better luck next time, Rose F.!

Finally, the Extravaganza Organizing Committee would like to thank everyone for participating in the 30th Annual Final Four Extravaganza. As always, it has been our pleasure to serve. We look forward to next year, and wish you all a good rest of 2019.

Wow! Wow! Wow!

                                               And then...there were two

After a couple great games Saturday, we are down to two contestants left in the 2019 Final Four Extravaganza; Andrew C. & Rose F.. If Auburn beats Kentucky Sunday, Andrew C. will join the ranks of 3-time Ganza champions (adding to his 1999 & 2010 titles) and enshrining himself as one of the 'Gods of the Ganza'. If Kentucky wins, long time contestant Rose F. will have her name added to the Hall of Champions for the first time.

As for the Duke Michigan St. game? Technically doesn't matter... although, of course, we'd all like to see Duke lose.

     This is Texas Tech after knocking out Gonzaga... and 17 Ganza contestants

With Gonzaga's miserable failure to reach the Final Four, the hopes and dreams of 17 more of us were shot down late Saturday afternoon. Natalie/Hannah, 2014 champ Jack S., 2-time champ Trevor G., Otto G., Josh G., Tracy W., Frank G., Eric S., Pappy, Michael F., 3-time champ Corey W., Lucy/Anabelle, LA Frank G., Ryder G., 2017 champ Daskull, Dawn F., and Gary C. were left dreaming of next year.

                         This is UVA coach Tony Bennett. He got his miracle

After an incredible battle with Purdue in Saturday's second Elite Eight game, UVA scored a game tying basket with no time left on the clock to force overtime. Then in overtime, they stuck it to the Boilermakers, knocking out three of the last five Ganzans still in the running for the 2019 title; 95 year old Flo W., Evan B., and 2-time champ Philip P.. This reporter was sad to see Flo W. go down in flames flirting for the title once again. Despite being an annual contender in recent years, Flo W. has never won the Ganza. When reached for comment, she had this to say, 'For all the time, money, and energy I spend every year having my crack team of statisticians come up with these damn picks, only to have it snatched away at the last minute from me once again... I call bullshit. This thing is rigged! It's gonna take one hell of a something or other to get me back next year, I tells ya.'

We here at the Ganza will be working hard between now and next year to figure out what that something or other is, in the hopes of luring Flo W. back.

Sweet 16 no longer... Elite 8!!

                                   Dropping Like Flies

                  Ganza contestants that got knocked out in the round of 16

After an exciting two days of Sweet 16 basketball, this year's Extravaganza field has been trimmed by no less than 15 contestants. Between an incredible finish in the Purdue/Tennessee matchup, Auburn trouncing UNC, Texas Tech taking out Michigan, UVA dumping Oregon, and UK squeaking by Houston, a good number of us are heading for the exits earlier than the rest of us. The list of mathematically eliminated early out losers are:

Recently investigated & 1990 champ Michael S., Anne G., Rae G., 2013 champ Charlie F., 2009 champ Goose, Darrell C., 2001 champ Prune, 3-time past champ Ed L., 2-time past champ Ellen D., Mo/Lucas, Tim S., Dirringer, Paul P., Jon T., Dave B., and 2003 champ Michael B.

                         This is last year's (and 2008) Ganza champ, Philip P. 

Heading into this weekend's Elite 8 games, Philip P. is the only 2019 Ganza contestant that still has all four of his teams. In other words, Philip P. is sitting sweet. Good luck Philip P.!

Also, the Pick's Page will be updated tomorrow.

----------------------The Mueller Report-------------------------

                 

                                         This is Robert M. He loves the Ganza.
Special prosecutor Robert M. this week came out with his final report on his findings about the seriousness of Extravaganza co-founder Michael S.'s crimes against the participants. Robert M. is well known in legal and political circles as an honest straight shooter who holds a high regard for the law... and the Extravaganza. Unfortunately, when he sent in his picks this year, the organizing committee (except for one person...) felt obliged to deny his entry because of the ongoing investigation.

While his full report has not been released to the public, super reputable and highly regarded (by FOX so-called news, anyway) Attorney General William B. has announced that he will not be releasing the full report to the public, or prosecuting Michael S. for the claims of a bad attitude and negative writing in regards to this publication. When asked for a quote, William B. had this to say, "Just like George H.W. Bush and Donald J. Trump before him, Michael S. could not be prosecuted even if he did commit crimes. Oh, whoops, did I just say that out loud!?!"

Though attempts to contact Michael S. on his Hawaiian vacation for comment failed, he did soon thereafter send out a number of Tweets (listed below):

Michael S.
@RealMichaelS
No Collusion, No Obstruction, Complete and Total EXONERATION. KEEP AMERICA GREAT!
1:30am 24, Mar 2019

Michael S.
@RealMichaelS
I don't know what the hell Jack S. was doing picking  No. 12 Oregon, but I'm sure glad he did. Dumb kid, still doesn't realize he's under age, and that I would get the money again... just like five years ago. Lucky that little kids can't remember much before they're 5 years old, otherwise I'd be screwed!"
1:45am 24, Mar 2019

Michael S.
@RealMichaelS
Go Duke!! I figured that by picking both them and Michigan St. from the same bracket, I've got this thing won. No COLLUSION!
4:25am 24, Mar 2019

Michael S.
@RealMichaelS
Mmmm... Hamberders... Hey, why isn't Fox and Friends on yet? They should have reruns on 24/7 so people aren't stuck with all that FAKE NEWS!
5:03am 24, Mar 2019

Ganza Co-Founder Reprimanded!

After an extremely negative, morose, and frankly discouraging post three days ago, the Extravaganza Organizing Committee immediately issued a stern warning to co-founder Michael S.. The leaked internal memo gave Michael S. a brief paid leave while declaring that further deliberation was needed to determine the full extent of any potential consequences. When contacted about said memo, Michael S. had this to say; "What, me worry? The Washington Huskies just destroyed one of the hottest teams coming into the NCAA tournament. Woohoo! Bow down to Washington, da, da, da, da!" When further prompted, he replied, "This means we're going all the way, baby!"

                              This is Michael S. in Hawaii on his paid leave
We all wish Michael S. a speedy return to his duties at the Extravaganza home offices, and hope he finds his happy place as soon as possible.

...Oh yeah,  and a few teams got crossed off the list, but no huge upsets or Ganza eliminations yet.

I have nothing

Yeah, it's another year of the 'Ganza. Year 30, to be precise. But honestly, who gives a fuck? Isn't this whole thing getting old? Do any of us even enjoy this anymore? Are any of you reading this? Is it all just a colossal waste of time? A tiny, insignificant distraction from our small, miserable lives? Are we even fooling ourselves anymore?


Well, whatever. Enjoy this. Don't enjoy it. I really don't give a shit anymore. You can all go fuck yourselves.

                           Welcome Back! ... 
             Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back!

                            These are some past participants of the Ganza
Welcome back to the 30th Annual edition of the Michael and Corey's Final Four Extravaganza. The Ganza welcoming committee would like to roll out the red carpet and invite you to get your picks in ASAP... or  by 9:00pm Wednesday March 20 or immediately following the last play-in game (whichever is later).

In addition, we would like to offer a special welcome back to the Washington Huskies, who are making their first March Madness appearance in 8 years! With Pac-12 Coach of the Year Mike Hopkins, Pac-12 MVP Jaylen Nowell, and Pac-12 Defensive player of the year Matisse Thybulle, and after after getting blown out by lowly Oregon in the Pac-12 tournament final Saturday, the Huskies are ready and likely to go down in flames... and fast. That said, we couldn't be happier to have them back with us. Please, anybody, feel free to choose them as one of your picks. They would actually be a really, really safe bet. Really.

            This is Mike Hopkins (winner) and ex-Husky coach Lorenzo Romar (loser) 

    Matisse Thybulle - All time Pac-12 record holder for steals in a season & career