It is time once again for the greatest sporting event of year. It is that time known as March Madness. The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.
Once again, I will be sponsoring a NCAA Tournament Pool. There is no cost to enter the pool, except for pride. And if pride is nothing to you, well done. After all, there is a reason why it is considered the greatest sin.
The winner gets a trophy. The dead last place person gets a trophy known as The Sara*. Nobody else gets a trophy. I’m not made of trophies people!
By winning, you get your name etched on the List of Immortals. There is no actual physical etching, but if somebody insists, I can etch this list on a public bathroom stall. I don’t necessarily have the time, but I have the will.
PAST ROUNDBALL ORACLE CHAMPIONS – LIST OF IMMORTALS
2025 – Jason Baier
2024 – Micky Augustin
2023 – Will Baier
2022 – Ben Baier
2021 – Micky Augustin
2019 – Becky Parmelee
2018 – Paul Golden
2017 – Paul Golden
2016 – Michelle Haupt
2015 – Derek Dohrman
2014 – Brandon Kahler
2013 – William McAlpine
2012 – Lowell Davis
2011 – Carrie Baier
2010 – Mark Wolfram
2009 – Mark Wolfram
2008 – Mark Wolfram
2007 – Tim Peterson
2006 – William McAlpine
2005 – William McAlpine
Jason Baier with the 2025 Championship Trophy (Contributed Photo)
But I said that there are 2 trophies. The 2nd trophy, The Sara, goes to the adult that finishes dead last, while trying. A person can not tank on purpose and win The Sara. The reason The Sara winner has to be an adult, I don’t want to mock children, to their face. Does that mean I have no problem mocking children behind their back? Does it make me a bad person if I say yes? Probably a better rule would be that to “win” The Sara, you have to be at least a teenager. I have no problem mocking teenagers to their face. I used to spend my Wednesday nights doing such things. I sorta do again.
Past “The Sara” Winners:
2025 – Olivia Baier
2024 – Aaron Sader
2023 – Ben Baier
2022 – Joey Randazzo
2021 – Rachel Gildersleeve
2019 – Russell Kennerly
2018 – Robert Henning
2017 – Shannon Bardole
2016 – Laura Priest
2015 – Derrick Gorshe
2014 – Sara Lockner
Olivia Baier with the 2025 The Sara Trophy (Contributed Photo)
The Sara doesn’t have the long storied history of the championship trophy, but it will get there. I have no doubts. This will be the 12th winner since its inception after all. Maybe that is a long storied history.
These were the final standings from last year:
- YEAR 20 ROUNDBALL ORACLES FINAL STANDINGS
- Jason Baier – 337
- Jon DeWaard – 331
- Linda Bennett – 310
- Micky Augustin – 295
- Elizabeth Nordeen – 295
- Lowell Davis – 285
- Carrie Baier – 282
- Jesse Howard – 282
- Andree Jauhari – 279
- Toby Sebring – 279
- Cathie Raley – 276
- Tim Peterson – 275
- Derrick Gorshe – 270
- Joseph Duff – 269
- Andy Sharp – 267
- Corey Faust – 258
- Bill Wentworth – 249
- Christopher D. Bennett – 245
- Derek Dohrman – 232
- Russell Kennerly – 230
- Michelle Haupt – 217
- Angie DeWaard – 222
- Jackson Faust – 217
- Logan Kahler – 214
- Robert Henning – Duke
- Shawn Lockner – 202
- Sara Lockner – Tennessee
- Sarah Karber – 202
- Adam Gordon – 191
- Ben Baier – 188
- Carla Stensland – 188
- Aaron Sader – 186
- Jordan Toot – 168
- Will Baier – 159
- JJ Baier – 145
- Olivia Baier – 121
If you are a basketball fan, or are just interested in having fun, click on the link below to join my pool:
Roundball Oracles – Year 21
The rules are as follows:
Round 1 = 1 point + seed
Round 2 = 2 points + seed
Round 3 = 4 points + seed
Round 4 = 8 points + seed
Round 5 = 16 points + seed
Rounds 6 = 32 points + seed
The Play-in Games (AKA the First Four) don’t matter. You can wait for those games to complete before filling out your bracket. The deadline to fill out your bracket, is tip-off of the first game on Thursday. Roughly 11 AM.
Under special circumstances, I will allow you to turn in a paper bracket to me. So, don’t be afraid to ask.
Yes, your child can fill out a bracket. Your dog, no. Your cat? Please. Cats don’t know ball! Don’t blame me. Blame science.
This year there was going to be a new travelling trophy, but a Gorshe child (who’s name I’m withholding for their own protection) broke it. So… maybe next year.
*You have to be 14 years or older to win “The Sara”.
Back in December Russell and Andree and I got together for what used to be our near monthly meal gathering. We went to a barbecue place in Ankeny. It was kind of an upscale barbecue place which is usually a red flag for your blue collar-no collar humble narrator. But I gave it a chance. It was Bubbie’s BBQ.
Here are the cruddy cell phone picture:
I got the “The Whole Pit”.
1/4 Rack of Ribs
1/4 lb of brisket.
3 sides – I chose coleslaw for one.
Jalapeno Corn
Beans
1/4 Pound of Pulled Pork
Corn Muffins
$34.99 – cheap!
Baier couldn’t join us because of kid’s party.
Was also the day I delivered the calendars to Dre and Russell.
Here is the menu’s description of “The Whole Pit” which I believe you can only get on Saturdays:
Bring your appetite (and maybe a friend or two 😉) because we’re serving up THE WHOLE PIT — a full-on BBQ feast that’s smoked low & slow to perfection: 🍖 ¼ rack of Ribs 🥩 ¼ lb Brisket 🐷 ¼ lb Pulled Pork 🌭 ¼ lb Jalapeño Cheddar Sausage 🍗 Chicken Quarter 🍽️ Your choice of 3 delicious sides 🧁 4 fresh-baked muffins All this BBQ greatness for ONLY $34.99!!! 🔥 It’s the ultimate Saturday feast — smoky, savory, and downright satisfying. Don’t miss out!
https://bubbies-bbq.com/ankeny-bubbie-s-bbq-happy-hours-specials
THE VERDICT?
It is more of a white collar criminal kind of barbecue than a down home barbecue. Bougiecue as Adam likes to call it. But it was good enough that I would go back. I wouldn’t go out of my way for it. But I wouldn’t turn my blue collar-no collar nose up at it. I think my favorites were the brisket and the jalapeno cheddar sausage. I’m not really a fan of pulled pork and this one didn’t change my position. The ribs were good enough and the chicken got the job done. The sides were a bit disappointing though. Fair at best.
In fairness, you can talk all of this with a grain of salt. It was long enough ago that I can’t give it the best breakdown. I need to start taking notes! Actually I have a book for just that. I just haven’t started using it.
Next week’s food adventure will involve a very poorly planned tenderloin outing, but also one of the best tenderloins I’ve ever had. I’m actually starting to get low on new food adventures in the hopper. Need either get back out there are put this segment to rest.