2018 Bracket Challenge Results

Our inaugural champion rides high yet again. Jon Heinz adds a second banner. Our first and, for now, last champion. Bookends. You doubted him – and for good reason – and now here he is. Shades of Jack Givens in ’78.

So much controversy this year.

Very clearly Ryan Dardis auto drafted his bracket. No other plausible explanation for how he came so close to his first victory. His pick of Michigan to win it all, while spicy and impressive, was obviously the work of a computer. Maybe next year he’ll automate his payment process.

Then there’s the even more serious matter of the alleged fraudulent activities of Brad Likens. The shame that’s befallen he and his family is almost unspeakable. So soon after the scandal of ’15 and his late entry. And then last year’s sexual harassment charges that have dogged his personal life. They all pale in comparison to this. The evidence, you see, suggests that Likens never actually joined this year’s family gathering. It’s likely that his wife came in his stead. Yes, you read that correctly. Likens’ bracket was entered under the name “JanaeL’s Standout Bracket.” The family server almost broke once this was realized. There was tremendous outcry, especially as Janae jumped to an early lead.

Likens was promised his day in court and the opportunity to clear his name. He was warned that the questioning would be severe and to the point. The defense offered this:

“That’s just the name on the login I use on Yahoo. By the way – Exhibit A on whose account that is: click on my owner name and look at the fantasy history. Storied past dating back to the start of yahoo fantasy”

An “Exhibit B” was never offered.

To summarize, Likens’ claim here is that he’s operated under his wife’s name for 18 years.

The only thing suggesting that there’s any chance that the man of the house is making any of these decisions is that in 18 years and 58 contests with Yahoo Sports, this account has finished in the bottom half of the standings more than 62 percent of the time. We didn’t set out to disparage Janae’s prognostication prowess, but she sucks. Likens would like you to believe that it’s he who sucks. You decide.

Our champ earned this one by being one of only two participants to pick the correct champion, Villanova. Cullen, who finished third, was the other. Heinz separated himself from Cullen with five more correct first round picks and one more correct Sweet 16 pick.

But Heinz’ real adversary was Dardis, who put together an impressive bracket. His picking of four of the Elite 8 was matched only by Clark Wildenradt and Marc Sheforgen. But it was the Michigan pick to win it all that set him apart. In fact, our championship wasn’t decided until the final night. Had Michigan won, Dardis would now have his first championship. But they didn’t, and he doesn’t.

Let’s count ’em up:

Jon: 64
Ryan: 61
Matt: 58
Kevin: 57
Clark: 57
Janae: 56
Rusty: 52
Brennan: 52
Marc: 52
Trevor: 50
Joe: 48
Dan: 47

Incidentally, this was our lowest winning score since 2011, when Breese won with just 55. It was also 2011 when Rybo last finished runner up.

Things are really looking up for Heinz. Recent job promotion, purchase of a new house. Ain’t none of that nothing compared to this, his second title. Heinz has pined for this day for a long, long time. How long? When he last won, Michael Jordan was still playing. Outkast’s “Hey Ya!” topped the charts. Operation Iraqi Freedom was launched. The $2 bill was still in circulation. Cullen was still smoking.

Well, there you have it. Sixteen years of beautiful tradition.

With love,

Commissioner Sheforgen