A Pink BracketBuster 4, Cruising Pairs: Chapter 1
A/N: I'm back!!!!!!!!!!!! That's right folks after about a year long absence I have returned with a new story, the third sequel to my classic A Pink BracketBuster story. Before I go on I just want to thank my man TommyOliverMMPRfan for writing the third installment of this series last year for me, real life was hectic for me then, but it's not now and I'm ready to go for the fourth edition of this series. After the addition of Ernie and Lt. Stone last year this year sees an addition of two more classic Power Rangers character, Bulk & Skull, the famous former bullies join the cast ready to represent their alma maters. Also things are changed up a bit from previous years when it comes to format, as you are about to see. Just a reminder, I do not make this stuff up, I use the real bracket that was released last night, and the real results that will be occurring over the next three weeks. Alright I hope everyone enjoys chapter 1, and please let me know what you thought by leaving a review.
Summary: The Rangers and company are back again to pick the NCAA tournament. The stakes are raised again this year: everyone is in pairs, no alma maters allowed, and a tropical vacation is on the line.
Couples: Tommy/Kim, Jason/Hayley, Zack/Trini, Rocky/Aisha, Billy/Kat, Adam/Tanya, Andros/Ashley, Zhane/Karone, Carlos/Cassie, Trent/Kira, Conner/OC, Ethan/OC, Justin/OC, TJ/OC
Favorite Teams: UCLA – Tommy, Jason, Rocky, Aisha
Stanford – Billy, Kat, Justin, Ethan, Hayley
USC – Zack, Trini, Adam, Tanya
Florida – Kim
UNLV – Ashley, Andros, Zhane, Karone
Long Beach State – Conner
Nevada – Trent, Kira
Oregon –Carlos, Cassie
Washington State – TJ
Cornell – Anton Mercer
St. Mary's – Elsa
Gonzaga – Crystal Miller (OC, TJ's girlfriend)
San Diego – Chelsea Matthews (OC, Conner's girlfriend)
Cal State Fullerton – Jen Jackson (OC, Ethan's girlfriend)
BYU – Lindsey Greer (OC, Justin's girlfriend)
Syracuse – Ernie
Arizona State – Lt. Stone
New Mexico – Bulk
Maryland – Skull
Sunday March 14, 2010
Bulkmeier's Bar & Night Club; Angel Grove, California; 3pm (PDT)
"CBS Sports presents the 2010 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Selection Show"
"Yo everybody it's starting," yelled Skull from the bar to the other 33 people frequenting the kickoff event to the sixth annual Angel Grove/Reefside Madness Tournament. Angel Grove's hottest bar and night club was to be the start and end spot for the three week event known as March Madness now that Bulk and Skull were a part of the event. The duo was set to be involved in the event last year but had to leave town last minute for business and missed out. Before the event the Rangers made sure to reveal to Bulk & Skull what they had revealed to Ernie, Stone, Jen, Lindsey, Crystal, and Chelsea, and let's just say the duo was shocked to say the least.
The place had two separate sections, the outdoor tropical bar (that I'm sure everyone remembers from Forever Red) that's open all day and through the night, and the indoor bar & night club part that was open at night. As everyone gathered round the flat screen TV by the outdoor bar, it was definitely set to be a different year when it came to the contest. For starters only two Pac-10 schools were in the field, California and Washington, neither of which were represented by the group. Arizona State had the only realistic shot at a bid from the Pac-10 schools represented in the group, but Stanford ruined that dream, something the Stanford five loved bringing up to Stone the past couple days. All the other Pac-10 schools represented either had down years, or in USC's case, was banned from postseason due to scandal. All in all only nine of the group's alma maters made the tournament, but as always it was set to be a fun time, especially thanks to a couple stipulations Tommy and Jason were adding for this year that no one knew about.
"Good evening everyone and welcome to the 2010 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament selection show, I'm Greg Gumbel along with my partners Greg Anthony and Seth Davis, and we are here to reveal the field for the 2010 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship. First we will start with the four number one seeds in the field. The overall number seed in the field, in the Midwest Region is the Kansas Jayhawks. The second number one seed in the East Region goes to the Kentucky Wildcats. The third number one seed belongs to the Duke Blue Devils who are in the South Region, and the fourth number one seed, in the West Region is the Syracuse Orange."
Now usually around this time there would be celebration from a group of people and the uttering of the word bullshit from others. Again this year was different as only one Conner McKnight celebrated, as his favorite team growing, Duke, earned a number seed this year, the third overall one to be exact, a surprise to most as they thought Syracuse would earn that one. What surprised no one though was that Ernie really had no reaction to this somewhat surprising news. The owner of the Angel Grove Youth Center remained calm and poised as always.
"Now it's time to reveal the brackets, and we'll start in the Midwest Regional, its finals to be played in St. Louis. These games to be played Thursday and Saturday in Oklahoma City, top seeded Kansas won't have to travel too far as they head to OKC to take on the 16 seed champions of the Patriot League, the Mountain Hawks of Lehigh University. The eight seed is the UNLV Rebels; back after a one year absence and they will battle the nine seeded Northern Iowa Panthers. These games to be played Friday and Sunday in Spokane, Washington; the five seed is your national runner-up from a year ago, Michigan State, and they will battle the WAC tournament champs, 12 seed New Mexico State."
And with the mention of his school's in-state rival, Bulk did the old cough and say something at the same time, letting out a lucky at the mention of the Aggies.
"The four seed in the Midwest is Maryland, co-ACC regular season champions, and they'll face the 13 seed Houston Cougars, surprise Conference USA tournament champions. Now to the bottom of the bracket, these games Friday and Sunday in Milwaukee, the 2 seed is the Buckeyes of Ohio State, and they'll battle the Big West champion UC Santa Barbara, the 15 seed."
The mention of the Gauchos made Conner sick to his stomach, as his Long Beach State team had them beat in the tournament final before blowing it late.
"The Cowboys from Oklahoma State are the seven seed and will battle Georgia Tech's Yellow Jackets who are the ten seed. Now Thursday Saturday games in Providence, the Georgetown Hoyas are the three seed and take on the fourteen seed Ohio Bobcats from the MAC, dancing for the first time since 05. The six seed is the SEC's Tennessee Volunteers, and they'll face 11 seed Aztecs of San Diego State, in this year after just missing the cut last season."
And with the mention of the Rebels that meant one thing for Andros and Zhane.
"Oh yeah Rebels back in the dance again, with a shot at payback for 2008 against Kansas," Andros said as he and Zhane chest bumped.
"Just promise us you won't pick them to win it all again," Ashley said to the boys.
"We promise, we are in it to win it this year," Zhane said as the show came back on.
"Now it's time to reveal the West Region, its final in Salt Lake City, Utah."
Lindsey was the most excited for this region, with the final in her hometown of Salt Lake City, her and Justin already had that weekend off to go to the games with some of her friends from home, and Justin was excited to finally get to see his fiancées' hometown.
"These games to be played Friday and Sunday in Buffalo, New York, the top seed are the Orange of Syracuse and they will battle 16 seed Vermont out the America East, the Catamounts only tournament win ever came in 2005 vs. Syracuse. The eight seed is the Gonzaga Bulldogs and they will face out of the ACC the nine seed Florida State. Thursday Saturday games in San Jose, California, the five seed is the Bulldogs from Butler and they'll meet the regular season C-USA champion, 12 seed UTEP Miners. Vanderbilt is the four seed out of the SEC and they'll face the very dangerous 13 seed out of the Ohio Valley, the Murray State Racers. Down to the bottom of the bracket, Thursday Saturday games in Oklahoma City, all of Kansas will be in OKC as Kansas State is the two and they'll face North Texas, the Mean Green are the 15 seed out of the Sun Belt. BYU is back in the tournament again, this time as a seven seed….."
Whew was all that Lindsey could say to herself, no way Texas A&M would be a 10 seed she thought to herself.
"….and they'll face the ten seed Florida Gators, back in the madness for the first time since winning it all in 2007, the program has currently won 12 straight tournament games."
And with that Lindsey and Kim immediately turned to one another and just smiled.
"Now these Friday and Sunday game to be played in Milwaukee, Xavier is the 6 seed and they will play one of the last teams in, the 11 seed Golden Gophers of Minnesota. The 3 seed out of the Big East is the Pitt Panthers and they'll face the winners of the Summit League, 14th seed Oakland, the Golden Grizzles in the for the second time in program history."
"You have to be kidding me, sent east for the second time in three years, so unfair, I wanted to go back home for the weekend," Crystal said to TJ. "Stupid St. Mary's," she said rather loudly. All Elsa could do is laugh and point at her WCC championship shirt she was wearing, which again made Crystal cringe.
"Well sister it appears Thursday night will be some fun," Kim said as she walked up to Lindsey.
"Yeah and I got the perfect little wager for it," Lindsey said as she whispered her wager to Kim.
"Oh, that's positively evil, and I love it, you're on," Kim said as she and Lindsey shoke hands on it.
"Now it's time to reveal the East, with its final set for Syracuse, New York. These games are Thursday and Saturday in New Orleans, the top seed is Kentucky, the Wildcats back in the dance after a year absence, and they'll battle East Tennessee State out of the Atlantic Sun, a 16 seed for the second year in a row. Former top team in the country Texas is the eight seed, and they'll battle the nine seed of Wake Forest. Now Friday and Sunday in Jacksonville the Owls of Temple are the five seed and they'll battle the three time defending Ivy League champs Cornell, the Big Red are the 12 seed. The four seed is Wisconsin, 12th straight appearance for Bo Ryan's team, and they'll meet the Southern Conference champions Wofford, the 13 seed dancing for the first time in school history. Now down to the bottom, Buffalo the site for these games Friday and Sunday, the 2 seed is the Big East tourney champs West Virginia, and they'll meet Morgan State, the 15 seed out of the MEAC. Clemson is the seven seed and they'll meet an Elite Eight team from a year ago in 10 seed Missouri. Now these in games in San Jose Thursday and Saturday, New Mexico is the three seed, tied for the best seed in school history, and they'll face the 14 seed Grizzlies from Montana. Marquette's Golden Eagles are the 6 seed in the East, and they'll face Pac-10 tournament champion Washington, who is the 11 seed."
"Stupid Washington," was said all at once by Crystal and everyone who went to a Pac-10 school, causing a group laugh.
"Wow just a 12 seed, that's rough Anton, I thought Cornell would get higher than that," Hayley said.
"That's life as an Ivy League school," Anton said.
"Skull, pack your bags we're following the Lobos to San Jose," Bulk said as he slapped his best friend and business partner on the back.
"What are you talking about Bulkie, we are going to Spokane to see the Terps," Skull said.
"San Jose," Bulk said pushing Skull.
"Spokane," Skull said pushing Bulk.
The pushing match continued until they ended up to close to the pool and Skull accidently pushed Bulk into it. Skull had no time to react as Bulk dragged him in. The group just laughed as the show came back on.
"The final bracket to be revealed is the South, its final to take place down in Houston, these games in Jacksonville Friday, Duke is the top seed in the region and will play the winner of Tuesday night's opening round game in Dayton between the SWAC champions Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Big South champs Winthrop. The California Golden Bears are the eight seed and will face the nine seed Louisville Cardinals, last year's overall number one seed. Now Friday in Spokane Texas A&M is the five seed and the Aggies will battle the Aggies from Utah State who are the 12 seed. The four seed is Purdue, and the Boilermakers will meet MAAC champion Siena, the 13 seeded Saints have won three games in the past two tournaments. Bottom of the bracket, games set for Thursday in Providence, Jay Wright and his Villanova Wildcats are the two seed, looking to make it back to the Final Four for a second straight year, their journey starts against 15 seed Robert Morris, in for the second straight year, winner of that one meets the winner between seven seed Richmond, the Spiders from the Atlantic Ten, in for the first time since 2004, will meet the ten seed St. Mary's Gaels, in with the WCC automatic bid after just missing out last season. Now to New Orleans for these Thursday/Saturday games, the Baylor Bears of Scott Drew are the three seed and will battle the 14 seed champions of the Southland, the Sam Houston State Bearkats, and the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame are the 6 seed, and they'll battle the 11 seed champions of the CAA, the Old Dominion Monarchs."
"Stupid Cal," the Stanford five said.
"Stupid St. Mary's," Crystal said.
"Stupid Duke," everyone else but Conner said.
"Stupid…stupid…. UC Santa Barbara," Conner said smiling.
Everyone just stared at Conner then went back to talking among themselves about the brackets.
"Oh poor Conner," Chelsea said as she kissed her boyfriend.
Meanwhile Jason and Tommy went inside to Bulk and Skull's office to print off some brackets. Everyone expected the duo to print off 34, but they only printed out 17, the best friends had a surprise for the entire group.
"Alright everyone it is time for the sixth annual Angel Grove/Reefside Madness Tournament, and we are shaking things up this year. Now usually it's everyone for themselves, top three get the money. Well this year it won't be everyone for themselves, it's going to be pairs," Tommy said.
Everyone was surprised to hear this announcement, even Hayley and Kim, they each thought since they were the wives of the co-founders of the pool they would even know about it, but Tommy and Jason did a good job keeping this a surprise, as did the only other person who knew, Ethan's girlfriend Jen.
"The reason we are doing pairs this year is because thanks to everyone's favorite member of Carnival Cruise Line's entertainment staff, Ms. Jennifer Jackson, the grand prize is an all expenses paid, eight-day cruise aboard the Carnival Freedom for two," Jason said.
With that announcement everyone got excited about the possibility of winning a cruise.
"The Freedom is this ship I'll be working on this summer starting in the middle of April, so I'll be on board with you as well, granted I'll be working. The cruise runs June 5-13, leaving from Fort Lauderdale, with stops in Cozumel, Costa Rica, and Panama," Jen said to everyone, getting them even more excited.
"What a surprise baby," Ethan said as he kissed his girlfriend.
"I know, Jase and Tommy loved it when I brought it up to them once I found out I would be on that ship. I'm surprised I kept it secret so long, I'm tend to be bad at keeping those sometimes," Jen said as she kissed Ethan back.
"Alright boys and girls the pairs will be all the current couples in the group, Ernie and Stone, you'll be a pair, as will Bulk and Skull. Ten bucks per pair, second prize will be $120 and third prize will be $50, as always overall percentage correct determines the winner, tiebreaker is your guess for total points in the championship game," Tommy said as he and Jason passed out brackets and collected money.
Once all the pairs got their brackets they went to different areas around the bar to get started picking. Right before joining Hayley Jason dropped one more bombshell.
"Oh and one other thing guys, you can't pick either of your alma mater's if they are in," Jason said with a smile, all the while getting some not so nice looks from the likes of Bulk, Skull, and Ernie.
"No alma mater's, you two sure are sneaky," Hayley said to Jason.
"It should only upset three, and they'll live, we wanted to shake things up just a tad," Jason said.
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"Even though we can't pick Florida its nice seeing them in and no UCLA handsome," Kim said to Tommy with a smile.
"Ouch, that hurts beautiful," Tommy said.
"Hey you had your fun the past two years, so it's my turn now," Kim said as she kissed Tommy.
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"You know everyone will hate us if we pick them right," Karone said to Zhane.
"Yeah, so, we'll just use the we're from another planet excuse like always, works every time," Zhane said as Karone just rolled her eyes.
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"TJ, can we please, please, please pick them, and then we can still go to Spokane with Skull so I can visit home, please TJ please," Crystal said as she unleashed the sad eyes.
"I guess we can do that then, but if we don't win the cruise I'm blaming you," TJ said as he kissed his fiancée and she hugged him back.
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"So, they did well for me last year, want to go with them for this year," Justin asked Lindsey.
"They definitely have the talent to do it again, and an even better seed, I'm in let's do it," Lindsey said.
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"I can't believe we are picking the team that screwed me over two years ago," Trent said.
"It's called redemption Trent, you'll forget all about that little money when they win us a cruise," Kira said.
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"So we are picking Duke right," Conner asked Chelsea.
"Hell no," was all Chelsea said.
"Why not," Conner asked.
"I wouldn't pick them even if my not picking them meant Mesogog would return, that's how much I hate them," Chelsea.
"That's so unfair," Conner said.
"You want one of those autographed pictures of Lindsey Vonn I got in Vancouver right," Chelsea asked Conner.
"Uh yeah, of course I do," Conner said.
"If you agree not to pick Duke you'll get one," Chelsea said.
After thinking it over, Conner gave his decision.
"Fine, no Duke,"
"WHIPPED," Ethan, Trent, and Kira yelled at Conner, since the three were close enough to Conner to hear the whole thing.
"SHUT UP," he yelled back.
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"God this sucks, I wanted to pick the Lobos," Bulk said.
"Yeah and I wanted to pick Maryland," Skull said.
"You know Skull maybe this is a good thing, I mean now we can't really jinx either of our teams," Bulk said.
"Guess you're right Bulk, besides it doesn't matter which one wins as long as one does, especially then since we'll get a cake from my boy Duff back in Baltimore of either the Lobo Louie or Testudo," Skull said.
"Skull I got the perfect team to pick, they are hot and will win us a cruise," Bulk said.
"I like," said Skull.
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"Man this sucks, I really wanted to pick the Orange," Ernie says.
"I know Ernie, I know, but I got a plan, lets pick them, that way we can win without picking Syracuse to win, and Syracuse can still win it all and we'll still do good cause we got them to the final game," Stone said.
"I hate picking another Big East team, put I like your plan," Ernie said.
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A little while later Jason, Tommy, Hayley, and Kim made their way back to the bar.
"Is everyone done," Tommy asked as everyone nodded that they were.
"Ok then to make sure no one picked their alma maters, every pair will come up and reveal their pick," Tommy said.
"We'll start, Syracuse," Jason said.
"No way dude, that's who we picked," Tommy said.
"Great minds think alike," Hayley and Kim said at the same time as they laughed and Ernie approved their picks.
"Kansas, they cost me money two years ago, but they are winning us a cruise this time," Trent said with a smile.
'The hottest team going, Ohio State," Bulk said.
"Georgetown," Cassie said.
"Fear the Turtle, Maryland," Anton said as Skull approved.
"Sparty," TJ said.
"Since I wasn't allowed to pick Duke, we'll go with the best player in the country in John Wall and Kentucky," Conner said as Chelsea then did the John Wall dance to everyone's amusement.
"Bucky Badger, Wisconsin," Trini said.
"West Virginia," Stone said.
"Pittsburgh," Jen said.
"K-State," Kat said.
"Duke," Ashley, Andros, Zhane, and Karone said at the same time, getting applauds from Conner and boos from everyone else.
"Villanova," Rocky said.
"Kansas," Tanya said.
"Riding Nova again like last year," Justin said.
"Really guys, really, no one picked New Mexico, what a joke," Bulk said as he went on a rant about how great New Mexico was as a school and as a state. Everyone then just looked at Skull and Skull nodded in approval as he once again pushed Bulk into the pool. Everyone had a good laugh before making their plans for the weekend and saying their goodbyes.
A/N: Alright everyone that was chapter 1 I hope you enjoyed it. I'll be back with chapter 2 on Wednesday, listing out everyone's picks and schools so it'll be easy for you to follow along once the again kicks off Thursday. Again I hope everyone enjoyed chapter 1, and please review.