Wild

A full 60% of us (39 entrants) chose Louisville as our Wild Card, and without poring over old newsletters we can't ever remember so many of us being of the same mind on this subject.

However, knowing our contestants' history of predictive success in such matters, the Commissioners would like to issue a formal apology to Rick Pitino and his merry band of Cardinals. Can you say "first round upset"?

Here's the breakdown:

Louisville -- 39
Gonzaga -- 8
Clemson -- 3
Southern Cal -- 3
Davidson -- 2
BYU -- 1
Alabama State -- 1
Mississippi State -- 1
West Virginia -- 1
Rider -- 1
Syracuse -- 1
Villanova -- 1
Maryland -- 1

Three entrants chose illegal Wild Cards and, as difficult as it is for us, we feel obligated, being the caretakers of all pool-related regulations, to admonish them. OK, it's not difficult for us at all. I just made that up. So, without further adieu, this year's scofflaws are: Nowlan, who chose Kansas State, #20 on the AP Top 25 provided in the Rules; Shure, who chose #21 Pittsburgh; and, this year's winner of our annual Can't Count award, Settle, who'll have to settle for no Wild Card points after choosing #9 Stanford.