Done and Done

                                             Gonzaga delivers for Dave B

                 This is Dave B. We all wish we were as cool as him right now

In what turned out to be an uneventful drubbing, Gonzaga destroyed USC by 19 points, handing Dave B the title of 2021 Final Four Extravaganza (Covid-19 edition) Champion. Dave B picked 3 teams that made it to the Final Four, accumulating a whopping total of 2 points... which was more than anyone else. If only someone had taken #11 UCLA(!). With his title, Dave B will receive $1450 and see his name added to the Hall of Champions... right after we add 2019 champ Andrew C. 

When asked to comment on his victory, Dave B had this to say, 

'Well, first off, I'd like to thank god for giving me this chance. He blessed me with my talent, my wardrobe, and my coolness. Without him, I'd be nowhere. And second, I would like to acknowledge co-chair Corey W, who also chose Houston and Gonzaga, but for some fucking idiotic reason took Purdue instead of Baylor. I mean, Purdue!?! WTF was he thinking? When has Purdue ever done squat in this tourney? But, just so there are no hard feelings, I would like to donate half my winnings to his preferred charity.' 

When tracked down and asked his preferred charity, Corey W said, 

'It sounds like Dave B really has the makings of a great champion. Please tell him, and anyone else that is interested, to send their donations to the Matt Gaetz legal defense fund, c/o Make America Great Again, Florida.' 

This is Matt G. He is an asshole... and now he's in trouble

                                     This is Rose F after another close call

For the second straight year, Rose F was the last person knocked out of the Ganza. After seeing her slam her fists on the table and tear apart the restaurant pictured above, this reporter decided to let her cool down before congratulating her and giving her the admiration she deserves. Maybe next year, Rose! 

For those few of you who have not paid, LET"S DO IT!!!! So I can pay Dave B.

Thank you, and good night.

It's Down to 2!!

                                       Gonzaga vs. USC for Ganza Infamy!

                         This is Josh G, when he thought he still had a chance

It was a tough Monday for 5 of the 7 remaining Ganzans. With Arkansas going down to Baylor, it was bye bye to LA Frank G. In one fell swoop, Houston ending Oregon State's miracle run, Tim S, Davidson C, Ryder G, and Josh G were sent packing until next year. What's this mean!?! What it means is that it comes down to tonight's Gonzaga vs. USC game to determine this years champ. If USC wins, it's Rose F. If Gonzaga wins, it's Dave B. Good Luck you two!

Lucky 7!! (8 more go down)

                                                PAC-12 vs. The World!

                             This is Bill W, prognosticator of prognosticators

Ex-UCLA Bruin Hall of Famer Bill W predicted big things for the conference of champions when filling out his bracket this year, including an Elite Eight with lots of PAC-12 teams(!). Unfortunately for him, he missed the deadline to enter the 31st Annual Final Four Extravaganza. As per his premonition though, #6 USC, #11 UCLA, and #12 OSU all remain alive and kicking. 

In what's shaping up to be a nail biter, if USC takes down Gonzaga for the West Regional berth, we will have a clear, immediate, and well deserved first time winner in Rose F (previously known for crying in her soup after a devastating loss last year). 😀

                                            Who said that, LA Frank G?

On the other hand, if USC loses, and #3 Arkansas wins the South Regional berth, we will have a first time champion in long time ganzan LA Frank G (previously known for scarfing down a bunch of ribs and getting sauce all over his face a number of years back. Or was that his dad?). 😆Anyway...

                  This is Bill C. He will be rooting for Arkansas and LA Frank G

Other winning scenarios: 

If Gonzaga, Michigan, Baylor and Oregon State win, Tim S will be our champ. If Gonzaga, Baylor and Houston win, it will be Dave B wearing the crown. And if, god forbid, Gonzaga, UCLA, Baylor, and Oregon State win, well then, Davidson C, Ryder G, and Josh G (all having just Gonzaga and Baylor left) will be heading into a tie breaker for the title.

When asked for comment, Extravaganza co-founder Corey W had this to say, 'Well, first off, I'm starting to believe Flo W may have been right, and that this thing is rigged. I mean, how else could I have gotten knocked out? I mean I run this damn thing, for god's sakes. Maybe if I recount the point totals I could come up with a few more for me. I would be a hero, like that Raffensburger guy could've been in Georgia(!). Secondly, of those left, I would have to heavily pull for Rose F and LA Frank G. They've paid their dues AND still have lower seeds than the rest. Much Respect.'

Oh, and by the way, the latest 8 to get knocked out Sunday were:

Fbomb B, Darell C, 2001 champ Prune, 1999-2010-2019 champ Andrew C, Dawn F, Susan K, Michael F, and 1993-1995-2012 champ Corey W. They are all losers.

Saturday Night Carnage! Ganza loses 9.

                                                       9 Goin' Down

     Mary J B just let Sister Jean and 9 Ganzans know that they're goin' down

In a matter of hours Saturday, 8 Gonzaga loving contestants hanging on by a thread were wiped out of this year's festivities. Because #3 Arkansas and #1 Baylor are the only teams left in the South Bracket, there is no mathematical way left for those Gonzaga people to win. This is because others have either Gonzaga and Baylor, or Arkansas (both of which would trump only Gonzaga). Sorry Trevor G, Paul P, Evan B, Tracy W, Ed L, Eric S, Pappy, and Maureen S. Maybe next year folks. Goose (who had only #2 Alabama left) was also eliminated. 

                            100 yr old Sister Jean leading a post game prayer

In other news today, the Pac-12's run just continues! #12 Oregon State knocked off Susan K's #8 Loyola Chicago (seen above praying for better luck next time) to make it to the Elite Eight. OSU, who was a pre-season pick to finish last in the Pac-12, will now face #2 Houston for a trip to the Final Four. 

Of the 15 Ganzans left heading into Sunday, only Dave B still has all four of his teams left. Good luck Dave B, and good luck all. Tomorrow we have another day of crazy that may well send a lot more us packing. 

Pac-12 Resurrection!!

                                    Four Pac-12 teams make the Sweet 16!!!!

                                                    Pac-12 Second coming

The amazing 2021 March Madness (Covid edition) just continues! Never have we seen so many upsets, so much excitement, and so many Ganzans still in the running at this stage of the game despite many having only one team left. Due to USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Oregon State making deep runs in the tournament (and the fact that three of the four regional brackets still have teams that nobody picked in them), even those who only have Gonzaga left, are technically still in the game (although on life support). It would, in effect, take a miracle for them to win, but who knows!?! 

Maybe they should pray to the patron saint of...Miracles? 

                                  This is Moira R. She makes miracles happen.

Dave B is the only Ganzan to still have all four of his teams in the tournament. Some other highlights include: Rose F having picked #6 USC, Susan K picking #7 Oregon AND #8 Loyola Chicago, and Dawn F and Michael F both picking #5 Creighton. Any of these teams making it to the final four would effectively doom everyone else in the Ganza.

Oh yeah, and the five poor suckers who have been sent home early this year are: Michael S, Flo W, Murray S, Ellen D, and Lucy/Anabelle. Maybe next year, chumps.

Ewww, Covid!

 

     This is Alexis R. She is on the brink of getting knocked out of the Ganza

After an exciting first round Friday and Saturday, we already have some people on the ropes. While nobody is technically knocked out yet, Ganza co-chair Michael S is down to one sole team, #2 Alabama. Ouch. When reached for comment, young Jack S had this to say about his dad, 'That'll teach him. I'm still sore about him keeping the money when I won back in '14. Who cares if I was only 2?'

Some early highlights included: Oregon advancing due to VCU's covid tests, Maureen S choosing #14 Abilene Christian's upset of #3 Texas, the mighty #2 Ohio St going down in flames, and #12 Oregon State upsetting #5 Tennessee (sorry LA Frank and Ryder G). After round 1, there are six people still fully intact with all four teams left; Dave B, 2009 champ Goose, Josh G, Susan K, Michael F, and Tim S.  We'll see if any survive round 2.

The picks page is now up and running (thanks Lisa L!). Print out yours today, get your sharpie out, and start slashing.

Good luck all!

Okely Dokely, We're Off!

 Ted L & Ned F 

'It's a Miracle!.'  - 'You just never know.' - I can't believe it!' - Oh my!' - 'For the love of...'

These were just some of the comments heard when two strangers who claimed to be brothers poked their noses through the Ganza Organizing Committee's doors this week, asking to participate. While theoretically being all for it, the committee had to turn down their request, as they had no money. When asked for comment, Co-chair Michael S had this to say, 'Super duper nice guys, they were. That said, we have stragglers wondering in off the street all the time, and despite their great positive attitudes, we just couldn't do it. It really comes down to the almighty dollar.'

This is Flo W. At 97, she is the oldest Ganza participant... ever

In other news, as the games began Friday, Flo W poured herself a martini, sat back in her chair, and kicked her feet up ready to watch. Next thing you know, she was popping off, 'After almost 30 years playing, if I don't win this damn thing this year, it's rigged. I've got Giuliani waiting in the wings to take up my case. We'll be filing suits in states all across this union. Just you wait.'

While we here at the Extravaganza don't look forward to being dragged into a bunch of frivolous lawsuits, we do wish her luck. 

Due to technical difficulties, the picks page has not yet been updated. No worries though, as we have our crack tech team on the case.

We're Back Baby!!!

 

                America celebrates upon word of the Ganza's 2021 return

It is with great pleasure we announce the long awaited return of the Final Four Extravaganza. Surely everyone has followed the 2020-21 college basketball season closer than ever this year, so we are expecting one of the most heated battles in Ganza history coming up. Please stand by, send us your picks no later than 9:00pm Wednesday night March, 17, and buckle in for the annual delight and joy you've come to expect. 

                Duke Coach Mike Krzyzewski. Loser. He will watch from home.

For the first time since the 1975-76 season, neither Duke nor Kentucky will participate in this year's March Madness. Fun fact: The last time they both missed the tournament was the last time a team finished the season undefeated (Indiana 32-0). What does that mean for this year's number one ranked undefeated Gonzaga Bulldogs? It means it's in the bag! They're gonna win it! It's already over! Done! It's fate! Everybody needs to pick Gonzaga!