Windmill north of Boone.
Not the definitive picture of this subject. Kind of a test run. Assist on this photo by Jesse.
That being said, I’m proud that this is the first time in the storied 10 year history of the Roundball Oracles that somebody that shares my DNA has been able to hoist the unnamed championship trophy.
Past winners have included co-workers, high school locker partners, former roomies, father-in-laws, and once… even a woman!
So I’m excited this year that somebody with Bennett DNA coursing through their veins will be the reigning Roundball Oracles Champ! All is right in the world.
I know that there is a fair chance that you are wondering: “That is great, but I’d really like to know how some of my other favorite Oracles fared this year. I really root for Russell Kennerly. I like underdogs. He is like the Mid-Major of the Roundball Oracles.”*
So without further adieu, I present to you the final ranking of Year 10 of the Roundball Oracles!
Rank | Oracle | Score | Correct | Champion | Last Year |
1. | Brandon Kahler | 255 | 40 | Florida | 18th |
2. | Michael Augustin | 241 | 42 | Florida | 31st |
3. | Paul Golden | 235 | 41 | Michigan State | DNP |
4. | Jordan Toot | 228 | 39 | Florida | 9th |
5. | Jon DeWaard | 224 | 39 | Florida | 5th |
6. | Mark Wolfram | 222 | 38 | Florida | 8th |
7. | Lowell Davis | 216 | 40 | Florida | DNP |
8. | Andree Jauhari | 210 | 38 | Iowa State | 28th |
9. | Derrick Gorshe | 208 | 38 | Iowa State | 14th |
10. | Carrie Baier | 205 | 37 | Michigan State | 19th |
11. | Robert Henning | 205 | 36 | Florida | 10th |
12. | Bill Wentworth | 204 | 38 | Florida | 15th |
13. | Nate Miller | 203 | 36 | Iowa State | DNP |
14. | Frank Meiners | 201 | 38 | Michigan State | 11th |
14. | Jesse Howard | 201 | 37 | Kansas | 3rd |
16. | Corey Faust | 200 | 36 | Iowa State | 7th |
17. | Humble Narrator | 196 | 36 | Iowa State | 33rd |
18. | William Mcalpine | 196 | 38 | Florida | 1st |
19. | Angie DeWaard | 191 | 35 | Arizona | 6th |
20. | Sean Clubine | 189 | 36 | Syracuse | 13th |
21. | Carla Stensland | 189 | 35 | Iowa State | DNP |
22. | Ben Baier | 188 | 35 | Arizona | 32nd |
23. | Jackson Faust | 185 | 36 | Florida | 16th |
24. | Michelle Haupt | 181 | 35 | Arizona | 26th |
25. | Elizabeth Nordeen | 181 | 35 | Iowa State | 21st |
26. | Russell Kennerly | 180 | 34 | Florida | 24th |
27. | Olivia Baier | 178 | 34 | Arizona | DNP |
28. | Jason Baier | 175 | 35 | Florida | 24th |
29. | Tim Peterson | 175 | 34 | Iowa State | 22nd |
30. | Becky Perkovich | 175 | 35 | Iowa State | 27th |
31. | Shawn Lockner | 173 | 33 | Wisconsin | 4th |
32. | J.J. Baier | 164 | 24 | Michigan | 29th |
33. | Ryan Halvorson | 163 | 33 | Arizona | 18th |
34. | Dawn Krause | 149 | 32 | Arizona | 23rd |
35. | Will Baier | 147 | 23 | Iowa State | 34th |
36. | Sara Lockner | 143 | 28 | Florida | DNP |
This year might have been the closest year ever. It literally came down to Wisconsin’s last second shot rimming in and out, giving Kentucky the victory in the Final Four. If that shot drops, Micky wins.
But the shot didn’t fall and Micky waits another year, while Brandon’s name is carved onto the List of Immortals!
Roundball Oracles Champions
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
However, there is 1 more bit of business before I let you go about your merry business. In the pre-tournament post I indicated that I might create a travelling trophy. I am not doing that… at least not yet. I did award a trophy for last place this year. It is an experimental tradition. But I may in the future present a last place trophy to the lowest placing adult that gave full effort to win.
This year’s winner…
*Inside joke that 3 people will get and 1 of them doesn’t even subscribe to this blog!
March Madness is once again upon us. That can mean only 1 thing! It is time for the Roundball Oracles to gather once again and make predictions about the outcome of the NCAA tournament.
I would actually like to start this by quoting the predictions I made about this year’s basketball season at the end of last year’s tournament:
I’m already excited for next years tournament. It is no secret that Iowa State is the rooting team of the grand majority of Oracles, with a few Hawkeye and Kansas fans sprinkled in to mix things up. Plus a few statistical anomalies, (like a UCLA fan) on top for garnish. I anticipate Iowa will actually join the tourney field again next year. Iowa State should have at least a fighting chance to get back to the dance as well. We lose a bunch, but some of the recruits coming in are heralded and I wouldn’t bet against Hoiberg going up against a Big 12 that I expect to be down next year. Plus don’t forget that Michigan will be getting a taste of Hilton Magic next year. 2013-14 should be another great season! Remember the name Monte Morris. I’m guessing you will know it very well next year.
Plus, Steve Alford will be choking at an entirely new school next year! What was UCLA thinking?
I will point out that at the time I wrote that, DeAndre Kane was not yet in the fold.
As always, basketball knowledge is not a prerequisite to participating. Every year when I look at the standings, I think basketball knowledge is actually a hindrance in this competition.
A few things to know that if you want to sign up this year and take a shot at putting your name on the list of the immortals:
1. You do not have to wager any money. The only thing you have to put on the line is pride. And as C.S. Lewis would tell you, pride is the greatest sin.
2. This competition is open to all ages (as long as they can make their own decisions), genders, and fan bases. Unfortunately more than a few of these titles have went home with Hawk fans.
3. There is a trophy for the winner. In fact, this year there might even be a traveling trophy that will go home with the winner for a calendar year. If said traveling trophy does come into existence, it will not be a bust of Kobe Bryant. The Roundball Oracles does not endorse ball-hoggery and low basketball IQs or mediocrity.
Here is a look at last year’s final standings:
Place | Competitor | Score | Correct | Champion | Last Year |
1. | William McAlpine | 266 | 39 | Louisville | 6th |
2. | Jason Stensland | 253 | 39 | Louisville | 8th |
3. | Jesse Howard | 251 | 40 | Louisville | 10th |
4. | Shawn Lockner | 247 | 39 | Michigan | 21st |
5. | Jon DeWaard | 242 | 38 | Louisville | 11th |
6. | Angie DeWaard | 236 | 36 | Louisville | 4th |
7. | Corey Faust | 234 | 38 | Indiana | 2nd |
8. | Mark Wolfram | 231 | 36 | Indiana | 7th |
9. | Jordan Toot | 218 | 36 | Louisville | 28th |
10. | Robert Henning | 208 | 36 | Indiana | 5th |
11. | Frank Meiners | 206 | 37 | Gonzaga | DNP |
11. | Logan Kahler | 206 | 38 | Kansas | DNP |
13. | Sean Clubine | 201 | 37 | Miami | DNP |
14. | Derrick Gorshe | 200 | 32 | Louisville | 12th |
15. | William Wentworth | 199 | 36 | Kansas | 15th |
16. | Jackson Faust | 197 | 35 | Gonzaga | 14th |
17. | Toby Sebring | 193 | 34 | Kansas | 26th |
18. | Brandon Kahler | 189 | 34 | Syracuse | 27th |
19. | Carrie Baier | 188 | 34 | Michigan State | 20th |
20. | Jen Ensley-Gorshe | 178 | 34 | Indiana | 18th |
21. | Elizabeth Nordeen | 176 | 32 | Iowa State | DNP |
22. | Tim Peterson | 174 | 33 | Miami | 16th |
23. | Dawn Krause | 173 | 33 | Duke | 9th |
24. | Jason Baier | 171 | 33 | Miami | 3rd |
24. | Russell Kennerly | 171 | 33 | Indiana | 22nd |
26. | Michelle Haupt | 170 | 32 | Ohio State | DNP |
27. | Becky Perkovich | 166 | 32 | Ohio State | 29th |
28. | Andree Jauhari | 165 | 32 | Kansas | DNP |
29. | JJ Baier | 163 | 30 | Ohio State | DNP |
29. | Nader Parsaei | 163 | 32 | UCLA | 13th |
31. | Michael Augustin | 157 | 32 | Indiana | 19th |
32. | Ben Baier | 156 | 26 | Butler | DNP |
33. | Your Humble Narrator | 139 | 28 | Miami | 25th |
34. | Will Baier | 121 | 14 | La Salle | DNP |
Roundball Oracles Champions
Sold yet?
You are? Just write me and let me know that you want in (I’m a fairly easy person to contact) and I’ll send you out all the information that you will need to participate with all due haste!
The deadline for entering your bracket is the tip-off of the first game on Thursday morning. So if you suffer from being a Hawkeye fan, you’ll will know whether or not your team made the real tournament by then. Not sure why you would care, but to each their own.
Good luck to all the oracles and GO STATE!!!
One of the most popular weeks at the Computer Mine is Customer Service Week. There are lots of theme days and people get to dress up in costumes. The week climaxes with the crowning of a Customer Service Week King and Queen. It reminds me of Spirit Week at dear old Boone High.
I was contracted to take a few pictures of the participants. Here are a few of those photos:
Not sure where next week’s Wednesday Randomness will take us. Probably down portrait lane…
Today’s images come from the following folder:
Backup/Robot Monster Bros/Games 2 Production Stills
I will explain this collection. A very few select of you have had the very distinct pleasure of viewing the magnum opus of my group of friends: Games. These pictures are from the Jay Janson Joint/sequel Games 2. Unfortunately, this movie will never be released. However, that hasn’t stopped Bill from writing a script for Games 3.
Next week’s folder will be:
Backup/Robot Monster Bros/Project Universe Stills