March Madness

Ah… March Madness time…. a time when people that have absolutely no clue about college basketball (including myself) can join a office/friends/internet pool and try to sham an actual knowledge in college basketball. I have listed a number of clues for spotting a fraudster and are below. Of course these are indirect “observational” methods of detecting a phony. A much simpler method is to ask who the point guard on a particular team is. Please only use the following information for good not evil.

Methods of detecting a pseudo fan:
A. Claims to have “always been a huge ____ fan” but just doesn’t like to show passion at work because he/she read on monster.com that it could hinder career growth. Usually the team named is a high ranking ACC team like Duke, Wake Forrest, Maryland, but more commonly North Carolina will be named.
B. Although they may claim to be a Duke fan, pool shows said person will believe Duke will be knocked out by a lower ranked team early (usually a good bet though…)
C. During interoffice meeting small talk, said person will bring up facts listed in recent articles published in the members area (insider) of ESPN.com. A website that was joined one day prior to the due date of the pool in order to gain insight into picks.
D. Even though said person read espn.com. Picks will be almost exactly as team are rank ranked. Exemptions included.
1. Duke will be knocked out in second round regardless of who they play
2. In every region, two upsets will be chosen, usually between the 6 and
11 seed and the 8 and 9 seed.
3. There will be one “big upset” in the second round of choices

E. The final four teams will consist of two #1 seeds one #2 seed and one #4 seed.
F. Memphis and North Carolina will be listed on his/her championship game.