Scuttleball: Ride the Husky bandwagon

by Craig Leweck, Scuttlebutt Sailing News
Congratulations to all the players in 2024 Scuttleball as they proved that making something fun and affordable will nearly double participation over the prior year. Hey regatta organizers… take notice.

The NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship began with 68 teams, and now 16 remain. How sweet it is, particularly as all four No. 1 seeds – Connecticut, Houston, Purdue and North Carolina – remain. All four No. 2 seeds, too, so make way for Arizona, Marquette, Tennessee and Iowa State.

This 100% first week survival rate among the top two lines has been matched only twice this century.

But will any of it matter after watching the defending champions UConn dominate their first and second round games while never trailing? Since nearly half the Scuttleballers bet the Huskies will win it all again, maybe sailors do know hoops.

Kathy Alven is the current leader, foiled only by not selecting Yale, Grand Canyon, Oakland, Utah State, and Creighton to win in the first round. Her only other stumble was banking on Kentucky to make it to the Elite Eight, but most people on the planet didn’t see them losing their first game.

Proving that knowledge is overrated, runner-up Matthew Sessions claims he hasn’t seen a college basketball game in a decade. He’s got North Carolina winning it all, which must mean he likes light blue uniforms and the ram mascot that represents the Tar Heels. Go figure!

Lurking in third is defending champion Buttons Padin, who is also on the Husky bandwagon. He was leading after the first round, but the seasoned player reminded me that nobody cares who is winning at the first mark, as there is a lot of sailing still ahead. Apparently so.

As for me, my phone was buzzing all weekend to highlight my dismal performance. Yes, I am below the fold… way below. Only Matt Brock, Larry MacDonald, and Chris Gosnell had a worse weekend. Of course, this is the one year I didn’t bet heavily on my Gonzaga Bulldogs, and they look brilliant.

The biggest point spread in the next round is 10.5 points (as of now) between San Diego State University (5) and UConn (1), with that game starting just as the San Diego Padres will be finishing their opening home game of the baseball season. A double-win for my sleepy San Diego? Bring it on!

Follow Scuttleball on the CBS Sports site.

From the first round on March 21 to the championship game on April 8, the 2024 Tournament delivers a healthy distraction as the winter and spring seasons provide their annual tug-of-war. The winner of the 35th edition of Scuttleball will receive personal bragging rights and recognition in Scuttlebutt Sailing News, while the DFL finisher earns public humiliation and a free lifetime subscription to Scuttlebutt.