2021 NCAA Basketball Conference Tournament Pool Coming Soon!

It's getting VERY close to the best time of year (fingers crossed)!

During the week of 2/21/2021, our 2021 NCAA Basketball Conference Tournament pool rules and entry form will be sent out.  This is the 11th year in a row that we have started this pool! Let's hope that this year we can actually get to the end of conference tournaments. This year will be different with masked up players and coaches, limited or no fans, bubble-like locations and teams likely being eliminated due to outbreaks. But we will make it through these odd conference tournaments.

First, congratulations to our 2020 winner:

But for real, here is a reminder of our top 4 finishers from 2019, Jenn receives a free entry in the 2021 pool for coming in 4th place.

Below is a preview of the rules. We have zero rule changes for 2021, but if you have any questions or rule change suggestions please let me know, otherwise be on the lookout for more information later in February 2021. I will create clearly defined rules for postponements and teams eliminated due to outbreaks.

If you are interested in playing this year please let me know and I will reserve a spot for you as we have been capping the number of entries around 40.

The game is very simple, all you do is pick who you think is going to win each of the 32 (maybe) NCAA Basketball Conference Championships. We know the Ivy League is already out so we're down to 31 conference tournaments.

The entry fee is $50 with the following payout structure: 

• 1st Place receives a 60% payout
• 2nd Place receives a 25% payout
• 3rd Place receives a 15% payout
• 4th Place receives a free entry for the 2022 pool

This pool has a very easy scoring system. The person with the combination of most correct picks, including bonus points, wins the pool.  All ties in the standings are settled first by "Accuracy" and then by closest to the combined SEC Championship Game Score.

Bonus Points Breakdown:

The bonus point scoring is super simple, for every 3 seed or lower winner that you pick, you will be awarded 1 bonus point.  In 2019, 9 out of 32 conference tournament winners were a 3 seed or lower.

More Ways to Win Money Outlined Below!

The fun part about this pool is you have tons of ways to win money, so even if you're not towards the top of the standings you can still win money throughout the conference tournament week.  It's likely we'll have some ties, so the money gets split among all winners in the event of a tie.

1. Most Bonus Points - The person with the most total bonus points will win $150

2. Most Power Conference Points - The person with the most Power Conference points will win $150 (The 5 Power Conferences will be highlighted on the entry form sent out later in February)

3. Lowest Winning Seed - The person who has the lowest winning seed conference champion wins $100 (In 2019 Oregon paid out as a 6 seed to multiple people)

4. Closest SEC Championship Score - The person with the closest SEC championship game score wins $50 (This is the last conference championship game, so even if you're in last place you have the opportunity to recoup $50!)

As conference tournaments complete at different dates through Selection Sunday, 3/14, I will post constant updates with the current standing via the link below.  Make sure to subscribe to the blog by email after clicking on the link.

https://2021conferencetournamentchallenge.blogspot.com/

Thanks!
Rick Donegan