Welcome to the Final Four

Welcome to the final four. Of course by final four we mean Susie, Tim, Diane and Tom.

I know you all think that I should be working on my taxes, but I really have no interest in paying the government money. Since almost all of the Schneider cup participants have, in one way or another, lived off the government dollar I am sure you understand my reluctance to continue sending money to the IRS. Instead, I have been spending my time deciding what has to happen for our final four participants to win the coveted cup, in 2008.

As I see it the following scenarios are the final word:

• If North Carolina makes it to the finals and wins, it is Susie's cup
• If North Carolina goes to the finals, but loses to UCLA Diane gets her 5th cup in the last nine years. (How can this happen?)
• If UCLA wins it all and the final game is against Kansas, Tim wins.
• If Kansas beats UCLA in the final, Susie wins. Tom cannot get enough points from a Kansas win to overcome Susie's points going into the finals.
• If Kansas loses to Memphis in the finals, Susie wins.
• If Kansas beats Memphis in the finals, then Tom ("worst to first") gets his name on the cup for the first time.

Does anyone see it any differently.

Louisville Loss Hurts Joey

It was close, but so far no cigar for Joey who had Louisville beating North Carolina. Joe still has the chance of getting 3 of 4 picks into the final four and even winning the Coveted Cup, but a win by Louisville would have made his day. There would have been dancing in his drive way tonight. Good luck, Joe, on the rest of your picks it has been a long time since your last Cup victory.

Stay tuned for more

Ladies and Gentlemen we have a Horse Race

As we prepare for the Elite Eight, which begins this afternoon, what is developing is an epic battle of the titans. Leading the pack is Susie whose future is tied to the ability of North Carolina to knock off all its competitors. Susie is closely followed by Tim ("I just copy from the USA Today") who will own the Cup competition if UCLA emerges and he will become the first "Thanksgiving Dinner" winner of the cup. Joey has become a strong contender and if the Championship is won by Texas he could pull of an upset. The most interesting case is Tom who is currently in dead last, but has 640 points remaining and is the only person to select Kansas. While not mathematically eliminated (unlike Jeff, Alan, and Barbara) he could find himself having the winning team and still losing the cup on points. For Diane (who had Siena over Vanderbilt, Davidson over Georgetown, and West Virginia beating Duke) you had some unbelievable calls, but you cannot beat Susie or Tim - sorry.

OK, get yourself a cool brew and some nibbles, and get ready to determine the final four. Will they all be #1 seeds for the first time? We will know by Sunday night.

Bad Sweet 16 for Papa Jeff

In the course of the Sweet Sixteen Papa Jeff managed to go from first to what will, no doubt, be near the bottom of the Schneider Cup competition, he saw his beloved Michigan State Spartans lose big to Memphis, and he received a ticket for $186.00 for being in the HOV lane on Route One. I am not sure which he finds the most difficult to live with, but he plans to double up on his anti depressants for the Elite Eight. Let us all say a silent prayer for Papa Jeff's future activities. In lieu of flowers expressions of sympathy and tributes can be sent directly to Jeff.

Jeff leads, but for how long

We have reached the sweet 16 and the winner of the cup has not been decided. Although Jeff is in the lead he has too few potential remaining points to think that there is much of a serious chance for him to capture the Cup (Only a Tennessee win will save Jeff). Tim (I got it from USAToday) and Diane (The usual winner) are in a horse race and we might have a decision (between the two of them) by who wins a potential North Carolina/Kansas semi-final game. Susie and Joey are still around and they could both win if either Memphis goes all the way (Susie) or if the final game is Texas/Louisville (Joey). Alan and Barbara are pretty much toast, but interesting enough, Tom who is in last place (with only 390 points) still has 920 potential points so if everything goes his way, for the rest of the tournament (very unlikely), he may cause some trouble.

The following is the leader board going into the Sweet 16:

Jeff 880 remaining 490 current points 99.3 %
Tim 1040 remaining 460 current points 93.2 %
Diane 1040 remaining 440 current points 79.6 %
Susie 920 remaining 440 current points 79.6 %
Joey 1000 remaining 420 current points 60.6 %
Alan 600 remaining 420 current points 60.6 %
Barbara 560 remaining 400 current points 40.0 %
Tom 920 remaining 390 current points 31.0 %

Trash Talking and First Round Results

As the world can see ("Bean and Bee-March 21" http://beanbee.blogspot.com/ ) perpetual winner, Diane, has decided that trash talking about her very close and significant "first" cousin, Alan, is more important than actually winning for a fifth time. She accuses Alan of not being a "true Schneider" since he has not carried the Schneider name, attended a Thanksgiving prepared by Susie, or partaken in a "Pick and Pig". All I can say is "good for Alan" he is healthier and has better genes because of his life choices. Alan is an offspring of the Henry/Gertrude connection and has clear entry into the cup competition. Currently, Alan is in fourth place and he is in a virtual tie with both his cousins Joey and Diane (who also belong to the Sam/Helen, as well as, the Henry/Gertrude group.)

The real problem is that currently in first place (at ESPN's 98.7%) is Tim Dunn who has come to the Schneider Cup competition because he has been eating turkey and ribs with Schneiders for 10+ years. While this makes Tim clearly eligible for the Cup Competition, the problem with Tim is that he made his selections by looking over a shoulder (while on the Metro) and copying them from USAToday. What bothers me is not Tim's methodology, but that he currently leads me by 10 points. I must point out, however, that I still have more potential points and if Tennessee pulls it out, the cup will stay in it's rightful place. Also, if I cannot beat USAToday I do not deserve to win the cup. The only other things of note, thus far, are:

• The Barbara strategy of winning by choosing, low ranked, teams that no one else would ever consider does not seem to be working. Barbara is currently # 2,617,405 in the ESPN Challenge (17.7%) Lets hear it for the wonderful performance of Vanderbilt.
• Tom is looking like a long shot to get his name on the Cup (for the first time), but it is still early.

And now settle in for another 2 days for the remaining 32 teams. Go MSU.

Bean and Bee: The Fury has begun ................

Bean and Bee: The Fury has begun ................

The Schneider Cup 9th Year

Who will get their name placed on the Coveted Schneider Cup this year? Only time will tell.

Let the Games Begin.

The Schneider Cup 9th Year

This year, 2008, will be the 9th presentation of the Schneider Cup. With four wins in the last eight years, Diane Schneider Devendorf has won the cup more often than any other person. Last year Diane gave us an example of how she is so often the winner of the cup. This is a good time to take a look at the Diane selection method and review the genius of her process. Remember she won the contest. These picks are from the March 12, 2007 issue of the Bean and Bee Blog.


Live Tournament Picks - 2007
OK. I have my empty bracket in front of me and I am getting ready to make my picks. This is going to be like watching a composer sit at the keys to write his most famous piece ......... I promise. Don't you feel the excitement brewing?First of all - I am picking the #1 seed to beat the #16 seed across the board. I know that is cowardus, but I am a realist and as far as I know, a #1 has never lost in the first round.Now, let us start in the East.
MSU over Marquette because I love Jeff
Arkansas over USC because they went all the way for me the first time I won the cup (and I like Armadillos)
Texas over NMS. This was hard because I generally hate the State of Texas. But Neil from the 7th grade lives there and I think they'll win.
GW over Vanderbilt. Yes, probably a throw away. 2 reasons. Both obvious.
Certainly I would NEVER choose ORAL ROBERTS UNIVERSITY? Does anyone who isn't a religious-nut-job go there? Washington State.
Boston over Texas Tech. Mass gave us Kerry, Kennedy, and Beans. Texas gave us W.
GT over Belmont. Live in DC. Where is Belmont?
East S-16
Michigan State - I love Jeff, and I HATE North Carolina and their fans
Texas over Arkansas - Yeah ............. sometimes a little realism in your decision making process is a good thing.
Washington St over GW - Sorry Colonials
Georgetown over Boston. Raised in New England, but my kids are from DC. Trump.
East Semifinals / Finals
Texas over State - Sorry Daddy, but I still love you
Georgetown over Washington
Georgetown over Texas
In the SOUTH:
Xavier over BYU. I'm sorry, but I just don't like BYU. I think you all know why.
Tennessee over Long Beach. Carolyn lives in Tenn. Long Beach is too close to San Diego
VA over Albany. Not an easy decision. VA will not make it much longer in my bracket
Louisville over Stanford. I know someone who want to Stanford. She is a bitch (and insane)
A&M over Penn. I never pulled for A&M, but Greg has had a shit month and he deserves something good.
Creighton over Nevada
Memphis over N. Texas. No clue here so I sent with the favorite and I (of course) hate Texas
South S-16:
Ohio (Yuck)
Tenn
A&M (Greg)
Creighton
South semifinals and Finals:
A&M over Ohio. This was not easy because I hate Texas and Ohio. However, Ohio is responsible for giving us W with their stupid swing state position and Greg gave me a job and rescued me from the Future Workforce section of my Agency.
In the Midwest:
Arizona over Purdue
Butler over ODU
MD over Davidson
Winthrop over Notre Dame (I generally like people from Penn State - this one's for them)
Oregon over Miami Ohio - Mark lives in Portland and its beautiful. I hate Ohio.
GA Tech over UNLV (What is that? Vegas?)
Wisconsin (I like Cheese)
Midwest S-16:
Florida over Arizona - It's not like anyone from Florida is going to get a job! Basketball is all they have!
MD over Butler - I like Lina
Winthrop over Oregon
Wisconsin over Georgia Tech.
Midwest Semifinals and finals:
Florida over Wisconsin - I like Cheese, but I like Gary more. Since when is Florida in the Midwest?
In the West:
Kentucky over Villanova. I spent YEARS rooting for Kentucky. Why stop now?
Illinois over VA Tech. I don't like someone from Tech SO MUCH that even though they are going to win, I feel better leaving them off my bracket.
Southern Ill over Holy Cross
VCU over Duke! I know a guy that went to Duke and he is a dick. This year I can justify my pick against them! Go Rams!
Pitt over Wright State
Zag over Indiana - Please don't throw a chair at me!
UCLA over Weber State, because I love Bob.
West S-16:
Kansas, Southern Ill, Pitt, UCLA (1,2,3,4) I can hear Joey bitching now. Stuff it.
West semifinals and finals:
Kansas over UCLA
So that makes my final 4: Florida (Gary) Kansas (Tim Dunn) Texas A&M (Greg) and Georgetown.
I have Florida beating Georgetown in my final game. Why? Because I was a shrew the whole time I worked for the Future Force Office (not that they didn't deserve it) and GARY STILL LIKES ME!
Posted by Pennyfeather at 12:21 PM
Labels: Basketball

The Coveted Schneider Cup:

The Coveted Schneider Cup is awarded every year to the person who shows the ability to most correctly choose the outcome of the NCAA Basketball competition (sometimes referred to as “March Madness”). The “Schneider Cup” has been awarded every year since 2000. Each year the name of the winner is engraved on the cup. The Susan L. Schneider Trust maintains the Cup.

Scoring:

The “ability to choose” is determined by most correctly selecting the winners of all match-ups in the rounds of 64, 32, sweet 16, elite 8, final 4, and the National Championship game. The awarding of points is done automatically by ESPN and can be found on the ESPN.com web site.

Eligibility to Compete:

Eligibility for competition for the Schneider Cup is open to Helen Schneider and all descendents of Sam Schneider, Helen Schneider, Henry Lipschutz, and Gertrude Lipschutz; their spouses, and all persons who have eaten Susie’s Thanksgiving feast for at least ten consecutive years. From time to time the Cup sponsors can nominate a person for participation who has demonstrated a great lifetime achievement (e.g., won the Noble Prize, received the Congressional Metal of Honor, etc.), but who did not meet the usual eligibility requirements. This can only be done, however with the unanimous agreement of all past winners of the Cup.

Requirements:

1. Cost of Participation is $10.00. The cup winner receives the total amount of all the proceeds.
2. Money must be received at:
1108 Roundhouse Lane
Alexandria VA 22314
Not later than 12:00 noon (EST) on the first day of the tournament.
3. Picks must be placed into the ESPN/NCAA Web site not later than 12:00 noon (EST) on the first day of the tournament. (Instructions on how to do this will follow at least 5 days prior to the beginning of the Cup Competition.)
4. Eligible persons can enter no more than one time.
5. The permanent Home of the Cup is at the house of Susie and Jeff Schneider, but the yearly winner can take it with them for parties, fishing trips, long weekends, intimate evenings, etc. It must, however, be in the possession of Susie and Jeff Schneider at least 24 hours prior to the beginnings of the NCAA tournament.
6. All winners will receive a framed 8”x10” color glossy photo of the cup showing their name and the year that they won. A photo of the yearly winner will sit next to the Cup whenever it is in its permanent home.

If there are any questions I can be reached at: jschneider83@comcast.net.