Rules

• Do not "make a deal" with your competitor to "share" prize money before the final game. There is no second place, live with it. (This does not include partnerships created to submit one bracket.)

• No more paper entries. Internet only. $20 is due before the first game (not including the "play-in" game). Preferably by Wednesday night.

• "Play-in" game. There is a so-called "play-in" game between the two worst teams in the field to see who gets the 16th seed to play the 1 seed. This is two days before the tourney starts. (It's in Dayton, 3/14/04, pitting Monmouth vs. Hampton.) If the winner of the play-in game loses to the 1 seed, then it won't matter. If the winner of the play-in game beats the 1 seed, it will only matter if you picked this upset. And you won't be able to pick one of the two play-in teams; there will be only one entity for both. (I know, it's confusing--it'll make more sense when the pairings are announced.)

• Scoring is 2-2-3-4-5-6. E.g., 2 points for correct first and second round picks, 3 for third round, etc... until 6 points for the champion.

• No second place. If there is a tie, sole tie-breaker will be total correct number of picks.

• Please proofread your picks! It is much easier if you fill one out on paper first before you fill out the on-line one. (The on-line sheet will be available soon after selection Sunday.)

• No whining.

• Did I mention there is no second place?

• Update sheets are unofficial. If you think I've made a mistake in your picks, let me know immediately. I reserve the right to make honest mistakes, but after the championship game I won't make any changes.

• I'll have updates as soon as possible.

• And of course, my personal favorite-Decisions of the rules committee are final.

• Be sure to see the Format page for more information on how this works.
• For information see http://ccwf.cc.utexas.edu/~gavenda/madness