AK Takes Day Two
Three Wild For Willie
The Loyola Chicago 9
Midnight Strikes For Cinderallie
AK (A. Kelly), who has
been at or near the top of the leaderboard all tournament, separated from the
pack with OhioŐs upset over Virginia to take day two.
The wily Canadian has used
an overall conservative bracket with some well-placed upset picks to take him
to the top. His 26 wins through the first round are the most of any player, and
only fungibility
has scored more upset points.
Kelly was not one of the prescient
14 players who picked Abilene Christian over Texas in the dayŐs shocking
finale, but the loss may actually help him in the end, as heŐs one of just 17
players with UCLA advancing over Abilene Christian in the next round. A
Michigan State fan, he may have made his picks thinking (or hoping) itŐd be the
Spartans, and not the Bruins, in this spot, but the points count just the same.
On the other side of that
matchup will be the three brave souls who have Abilene Christian and their
mascot Willie the Wildcat heading to the Sweet 16: Chez, Garfy, and MarliMazy.
Longtime player Chez has
never finished higher than 48th, and that was way back in 2010. But she tries
hard every year, and thatŐs why we love her. This year sheŐs currently in 98th
place, and will need everything Willie the Wildcat can deliver.
Garfy is in the same boat.
Over 11 seasons, he has two top 20 finishes, but has finished in the Century
Club two of the last three, and is currently on track to make it three of the
last four.
He and Chez are the only
players who have Willie advancing all the way to the Elite 8. Those points
would move them dozens of spots up the standings and potentially clear a path
for the ultimate prize.
MarliMazy is the third
player, but before Willie takes the court again on Monday, the first game
tipping off on Sunday of Illinois vs. Loyola Chicago will be of even greater
importance to her. Forty-eight players picked Illinois to win it all—but
only one player, MarliMazy, picked Loyola Chicago. On Sunday sheŐll be joined
by eight
others cheering for the Ramblers. All nine players could use the boost.
If the Ramblers win, it
may mean that the magic has truly worn off for Cinderallie. The
first year player moved 73 spots—the most of any player in either
direction—from 2nd place after Day One to 75th place now.
But, if the Illini and the
Wisconsin Badgers win their games Sunday, then the slipper may still fit.
Cinderallie is one of just four players with the Badgers in the Final Four and
one of just three with them in the championship game.
Good luck to all!