*Vicarious World's Bracket Challenge*: Joose's Victory Speech

The Winner's Cup

As we all know by now, Joose, a friend of Vicarious World, has won the inaugural VW March Madness Bracket Challenge. He bested the field of seven with nothing but luck and a couple of hunches. Don't expect a repeat next year.

"Good afternoon gentleman and ladies. It has been a great honor participating in VW's March Madness Bracket Challenge with you. The past few weeks have been very fun and exciting but in the end there can only be one winner. Thanks and good luck next year."

- Joose

*Vicarious World's Bracket Challenge*: Final Standings

Congrats to the Kentucky Wildcats for winning the NCAA Basketball Championship, but more importantly, congrats to Joose for winning the inaugural Vicarious World March Madness Bracket Challenge. He was in the 94th percentile for the thousands of brackets submitted to ESPN. You could make a living outta this. Don't forget to email us to claim your prize; the winner's banana can spoil pretty quickly if you wait too long.

Final Standings (Championship Round points)

win = 320; upset = 640 (no upsets this round)

1) Joose- 1,500 (320)
2) Bluespeck- 1,260 (320)
3) NYC Robert- 1,040 (0)
4) Sister Campbell- 1,010 (320)
5) JrKartel- 800 (0)
5) Jersey Campbell- 800 (0)
7) K.V. Sart- 770 (0)

Well that's a wrap folks. Once again congrats to Joose. See you all next March (if the world doesn't end this year).

*Vicarious World's Bracket Challenge*: The Championship Game- UK v. KU

Congratulations to Joose, who has clinched the win in the First Annual Vicarious World March Madness Bracket Challenge. Joose, shoot us an email with your contact information to claim your prize: a solo performance of "I Want It That Way" by everyone's favorite, K.V. Sart, at your request. The prize is valid for one year.

The Final Four results:

win = 160 points; upset = 320 points (no upsets this round)

1) Joose- 1 win:                      160
1) NYC Robert- 1 win:           160
1) Bluespeck- 1 win:              160
1) JrKartel- 1 win:                  160
1) Jersey Campbell- 1 win:    160
1) Sister Campbell- 1 win:     160
7) K.V. Sart- 0 wins:                  0

Total points heading into the Championship Game:

1) Joose:                      1,180
2) NYC Rob:              1,040
3) Bluespeck:                940
4) Jr Kartel:                   800
4) Jersey Campbell:      800
6) K.V. Sart:                  770
7) Sister Campbell:       690

Well there you have it folks. Check back on Tuesday for the final standings.

*Vicarious World's Bracket Challenge*: And then there were four...

The only question that remains to be asked in this tourney is: how many points will Kentucky win by in the title game?

The Final Four gives us a couple of early regular season rematches. If the sequels are as tight as the originals we're in for a couple of dandies next Saturday.

The results heading into the Final Four:

win = 80 points; upset = 160*

There were no upsets in the Elite Eight

1) Joose's Gut- 2 wins :        160
1) NYC Rob- 2 wins:           160
1) K.V. Sart- 2 wins:            160
1) Bluespeck- 2 wins:          160
5) JrKartel- 1 win:                 80
5) Jersey Campbell- 1 win:   80
5) Sister Campbell- 1 win:    80

Totals:

1) Joose's Gut:        1,020
2) NYC Rob:             880
3) Bluespeck:            780
4) K.V. Sart:              770
5) Jr Kartel:               640
5) Jersey Campbell:  640
6) Sister Campbell:   530

At first glace it looks like Joose has got the title- and the winner's pillow case- all wrapped up, but there is one among us that may drool on the pillow of victory. K.V. Sart's favorite team for the next eight days will be the Ohio State Buckeyes. Everybody else, better luck next year!

*Vicarious World's Bracket Challenge*: The Elite Eight

Only the elite teams of college ball remain in the NCAA tourney. While we all love a cinderella story, I think we love watching teams with NBA talents a wee bit more. Here are the Sweet 16 results:

win = 40 points; upset = 80 points

1) Joose's Gut- 7 wins (3 upsets):            400
2) NYC Robert- 5 wins (1 upset):           240
3) K.V. Sart- 5 wins (0 upsets):               200
4) Bluespeck- 4 wins (0 upsets):             160
4) JrKartel- 4 wins (0 upsets):                 160
6) Jersey Campbell- 3 wins (0 upsets):   120
6) Sister Campbell- 2 wins (1 upset):     120

Totals:

1) Joose's Gut:                860
2) NYC Robert:              720
3) Bluespeck:                 620
4) K.V. Sart:                   610
5) JrKartel:                     560
5) Jersey Campbell:       560
6) Sister Campbell:        450

Looks like Joose is gonna run away with the Bracket Challenge Cup this year. Picking seven out of the eight Elite Eight teams (with THREE upsets!) requires thorough collegiate basketball knowledge, or a whole bunch of luck. Either way, Joose is sittin' pretty atop the standings with three rounds left to go.

Check back on Monday morning for the standings heading into the Final Four.