A/N: For those wondering about this, yes I am deciding to bring this back albeit a little bit late (with the blessing of psav2005). And yes the Suite Life characters are involved. There will be a blitz of chapters here to start as I am doing a full PBB thing for this year. So I get to do Selection Sunday, games for the first weekend and then I do the recap of weekend one.

A/N 2: Nothing is mine, except Melissa Blanks.

A/N 3: It's been a while since this has happened so let's give a quick run down of who is a fan of who:

UCLA: Tommy, Jason, Rocky, Aisha

Florida: Kimberly

USC: Zack Taylor, Trini, Adam, Tanya

Stanford: Hayley, Billy, Kat, Justin, Ethan

UNLV: Andros, Ashley, Zhane, Karone

Oregon: Carlos, Cassie

Washington State: TJ

Gonzaga: Crystal

BYU: Lindsey

Nevada: Trent, Kira

Long Beach State: Conner

San Diego: Chelsea

Cal State Fullerton: Jen

Cornell: Anton

St. Mary's: Elsa

San Diego State: Cassidy, Devin

Syracuse: Ernie

Arizona State: Lt. Stone

New Mexico: Bulk

Maryland: Skull

Arizona: Eric, Wes

Bowling Green: Phil

Nebraska: Melissa

Yale: Cody, Bailey

UConn: Zack Martin, Maya, Woody, Addison

St. John's: London, Marcus

Chapter 1: Selection Sunday

March 16, 2014

The Juice Bar

Angel Grove, CA

As was the case every year, the Angel Grove Juice Bar was rocking as the NCAA Basketball Tournament Selection Show was about to begin for the event colloquially known as March Madness.

Since the last time the gang had seen each other, at SummerSlam, much had changed. Billy had made smart watches akin to the ones on the Samsung commercials using old Command Center technology. Every single one of the near 50 members of this tight-knit group was identifiable by the wearing of one of these watches.

They had kept in touch in particular during the 24 hour ESPN hoops marathon in which several of their favorite teams had participated…with the exception of Bailey, who had gone to Chicago to see her Kansas Jayhawks in person against Duke. Conner had tried to get off work to join her, but no such luck.

The only two members of this group that were not there were London and Marcus as spring break at St. John's had occurred earlier. For that purpose, Tommy was keeping in touch through his smart watch with them both.

As UConn and Yale were on spring break, this would be the first time that Bailey, Cody, Woody, Zack, Maya and Addison would spend spring break in California with the rest of the gang. The new person on the block was Melissa, who would be in the contest for the first time after not participating the previous year.

As well as looking forward to being in the pool for the first time, she was hoping Nebraska would make the NCAA tournament for the first time in 16 years.

Unlike past years, there weren't many bubble teams out of the schools that would be represented; the biggest question mark as it turned out would be St. John's.

"Good evening everybody and welcome to the NCAA Men's Basketball Selection Show," Greg Gumbel says which prompts a huge, thunderous response from the near 50 packed into the Juice Bar to watch the proceedings.

"Man it's good to get this going again," Rocky said.

"Don't count on Florida losing again this year boys," Kim said with her typical mischievous smirk. "26 straight and counting, baby, and six more to go."

"That's one thing I hope we don't hear a lot of," Tommy said.

"Is she always like this?" Melissa said. "Remember I'm the rookie in the room."

"Oh my God yes," Tommy said. "UCLA has lost to them three times in the tournament since 2006 and we never hear the end of it from her."

"Well I'm just hoping for Nebraska to get in, I wouldn't dare pick them to win but I just want to get there," Melissa said. "But my oh my, she's cocky."

Right on cue, everyone turned to the TV as the four #1 seeds were about to be announced.

"And the overall #1 seed is…the Florida Gators."

That elicited boos from all over the room but most notably the two Arizona fans in the room. The Wildcats had a great season but unlike Florida had lost in their tournament finals.

"Boo!" Wes shouted. "We should have got that overall #1!"

"Yeah, seriously, Kim, who the hell has Florida played?" Eric said. "Arizona played maybe the toughest schedule in the country!"

"26 in a row, boys, that's all I have to say," Kim said.

Little did anyone know that after a few minutes, a familiar foe for Kimberly would be called…in the top half of the bracket.

As it turned out, Colorado would be playing Pittsburgh in an 8/9 matchup (with the winner to likely play Florida in Orlando) and Virginia Commonwealth (Bailey groaned at seeing that name as they had eliminated her home state Jayhawks two years prior) would play Stephen F. Austin in a 5/12 matchup in San Diego.

"And the 4 seed is…the Bruins of UCLA."

As everyone knew they would, the UCLA four in the room hooted and hollered while others (including the USC four) jeered. It turned out that UCLA would be playing Tulsa in round one in San Diego, with the winner to play the VCU/SFA matchup.

Almost immediately, it was someone else's turn to cheer.

"The #2 seed in the South Region is…the Kansas Jayhawks."

That elicited another cheer, this time from Bailey, whose home state Jayhawks would now be placed in Florida's bracket, although their first two games would be in St. Louis. But that was not the end.

"The 7 seed in the South Region is…the Lobos of New Mexico, and they will meet…the 10th seed Stanford Cardinal."

Now it was Bulk's turn to cheer, along with the Stanford five as they would be pitted against one another in round one with the winner to likely meet Bailey's Jayhawks in round two. However, that still was not the end.

"These games to be played in Buffalo, New York on Thursday. The #3 seed is, the Syracuse Orange."

This got some applause from Ernie; as it turned out the Orange would take on Western Michigan, with the winner to meet the victor of a battle between Dayton and Ohio State.

"If there's one thing I've been waiting on, it's to have some revenge on Ohio State after they knocked us out on the way to New Orleans," Ernie said.

"We'll be waiting," Woody said confidently; though a UConn student he was still from Cleveland and thus still was a huge Ohio State supporter.

"That is, if Dayton doesn't beat them first," Phil said as he interjected himself.

"Always have to interject yourself, don't you Phil?" Woody said.

"That's who I am," Phil said.

Meanwhile, Bulk and the Stanford five were already making arrangements to meet at Bulkmeier's for their game which would be Friday in St. Louis. Nearby, Cody and Bailey were discussing that side of the bracket.

"Kansas got a good draw," Cody said.

"Yeah but I don't like the way we're playing," Bailey said. "We had a chance to make a statement the last two weeks of the season but we've lost a few games down the stretch. We need to find a way to get back the momentum; I do like our draw, however."

Still elsewhere, the UCLA four were talking…and there was some murmuring about what might be. However, Tommy was downplaying things for the moment.

"Don't even talk about it till we get there, guys," Tommy said. "We need to take care of business in San Diego. Tulsa beat UCLA 20 years ago in a 4/13 so we need to take no game lightly."

Right then, the broadcast turned back on to reveal the West Region.

"These games to be played Friday and Sunday in San Diego. And the West #1 seed is…the Arizona Wildcats."

That got cheers from Wes and Eric, but with a hint of anger; they still felt that Arizona should have been the #1 seed overall.

"It's a joke that we didn't get that overall #1 seed, Eric," Wes said. "That conference Florida plays in, what a joke."

"Yeah it isn't like their football, that's for sure," Eric said. "But we've played the toughest schedule in the country and we have the best defense in the country. Bring THEM on, I say."

"The #8 seed in the West is Oklahoma State and they will meet…9 seed Gonzaga."

That got a cheer from Crystal, but not as loud.

"I'm not cheering as loud because the Zags haven't been as good this year," Crystal said. "I hope we can win a game but as much as I'd love to talk junk I can't because we haven't played that well this year."

"Zags haven't played as well but if you play well enough you might be able to take out Marcus Flop and Little Brother," Hayley said, referring to Oklahoma's instate rival OSU; remember, Hayley had grown up in Tulsa an Oklahoma fan. "It'd be funny to see Smart and Co. go one and done."

"These games to be played Thursday and Saturday in Spokane; the 4 seed in the West is…the Aztecs of San Diego State, to meet 13 seed New Mexico State."

This got dueling cheers and boos; the cheers from Cassidy and Devin, and the boos from Bulk at the mentioning of New Mexico State.

"And we get a chance to take out Arizona potentially!" Cassidy and Devin said, giggling and looking at Wes and Eric, knowing they could possibly meet the Wildcats in Anaheim in the sweet 16. "See you boys in Anaheim; we almost beat you last time!"

Wes and Eric glared as if to say, 'oh really?'

"The 5 seed in the West is Oklahoma, and they will take on…12 seed North Dakota State."

Hayley groaned at seeing that; it was a tough draw for Oklahoma for sure.

"The dreaded 5/12. Yikes," Hayley said. "Against a good team, too."

The next batch of games was in Milwaukee on the first Thursday and Saturday; the West 2 seed Wisconsin would play 15 seed American. And then…

"The 7 seeds are…the Oregon Ducks and they will face 10 seed BYU on Thursday."

That got cheers from Carlos and Cassie, as well as Lindsey as they both looked at each other; a rendezvous Thursday was almost certain.

The next batch of games, in San Antonio Friday and Sunday, would bring forth a first timer fully into the field.

After it was announced that Creighton would meet Louisiana-Lafayette, the 6/11 was up next.

"The Baylor Bears are the 6 seed and they will meet…the 11 seed Nebraska Cornhuskers."

In an instant, Melissa was off her feet cheering; the drought of 16 years for Nebraska was finally history.

"Congrats and welcome back to the field," Kim said as she approached Melissa. "You're from Omaha; what are your thoughts on Creighton?"

"I have mixed feelings about them; they're from Omaha, where I spent my childhood and I went to several Creighton games growing up," Melissa said. "But there's a huge giant rift in their fans; many cheer for the Nebraska football team in the fall but put on Creighton gear in the winter and spring. It's tough because they don't have a D-1 football team, but the problem is their constant need to root for Husker football but bash other programs."

"And about their team?" Kim said. "I kinda think McDermott is cute."

"Oh you wouldn't dare say that around Tommy, would you?" Melissa teased.

"Don't worry, he knows what I think of McDermott," Kim said.

"As far as their team, I think they are overrated," Melissa said. "They are a total one player team; easy to zone as Providence did last night. I think once Baylor beats us they'll shut Creighton down too."

"You're picking Nebraska to lose? Balderdash, I've got them in the sweet 16!" Kim said.

"Yeah, I am. I'm a fan but I'm a realist, I hate the draw," Melissa said. "Baylor's playing great; we are too, but it's a bad matchup."

Meanwhile, the trash talk was already starting between Wes and Eric and Cassidy and Devin.

"You guys think you have such an easy road," Cassidy said. "You barely beat us last time, so who's to say you can do it again in Anaheim?"

"Yeah…IF you guys make it," Eric said. "I know we'll be in Anaheim, will you?"

"We'll be there," Devin said. "You don't win at Allen Fieldhouse and become a fluke, right Bailey?"

They both turned to where they thought Bailey was and found the chair empty.

"Looks like you guys just thought Bailey would be there," Wes said. "Silly Aztec fans."

The next bracket to be revealed was the Midwest Bracket, where the undefeated Wichita State Shockers were unsurprisingly the top seed there. This region strangely devoid of PBB squads; this one was more known for boos than cheers.

Xavier was announced as a team that would play in a play in game in Dayton on Tuesday which got boos from Phil; he was from Cincinnati and a Bearcat fan, thus he hated Xavier. Kentucky had also been announced against Kansas State with the winner to likely play the Shockers which received the most boos in the room.

The bottom half was a little different, though still not a whole lot of cheers and a lot of boos still.

"These games to be played in Raleigh Friday and Sunday; the 3 seeds are the Duke Blue Devils…and they will meet the 14 seed Mercer Bears."

That got a mild cheer from Conner; Duke fan growing up since 1992, but it was known he'd been so frustrated with how the team had played this year, while many others booed Duke's name popping up.

"How far can they go?" Chelsea said.

"Not far," Conner said. "This isn't the Duke dynasty of the early 90s; it's not even the 2010 Duke squad that won. They better hope for a really sweet draw. Mercer will be a tough game."

The next batch of games announced would be in Milwaukee Thursday and Saturday; Michigan was announced as a 2 seed playing 15 seed Wofford, and then….

"The 7 seeds are…the Texas Longhorns…"

This announcement got boos from Hayley….

"and they will meet the 10 seeds from Arizona State."

This was one of the only picks that got dueling boos and cheers; cheers from Stone but boos from the two Arizona fans.

"ASU's gonna beat Texas and you know it, boys," Stone said to Wes and Eric. "It'd be funny to see UA be the first one seed to lose to a 16."

"Dream on, Stone," Wes said. "You know a 16 never beats a 1 and moreover, you better hope Sparky wins that game against Texas otherwise we'll laugh at you all Friday."

The final bracket to be revealed would be the East bracket; Virginia had been announced as the last top seed, thus making it four of the four top seeds which won their conference tournaments. Virginia had beaten Duke earlier in the ACC tournament final to claim the last overall top seed.

Virginia's pod had not receive much cheers or boos; however, the next pod revealed would get boos and cheers.

Michigan State was announced as a 4 seed to play Delaware in Spokane Thursday; then, shortly after that….

"The 5 seeds are…the Cincinnati Bearcats…"

This got cheers from Phil, and this was followed by…

"and they will meet the 12 seeds, the Harvard Crimson."

That got boos from both Cody and Bailey who had returned to the room; they both knew how tough Harvard was. They still didn't like Harvard though.

"Well, I hope we can beat Harvard for you guys at least but the Bearcats never win in the tournament so I guess it's a foregone conclusion they'll lose. It's what Cincinnati teams do these days," Phil said.

"Yeah, Harvard's tough even though I hate them; well coached team," Cody said.

The bottom half of the bracket would be fairly silent except for one particular team, a team that had won it all the last time these individuals had been together.

After Villanova was announced as a 2 seed in Buffalo playing Milwaukee on Thursday….

"and the 7 seeds are…the Connecticut Huskies and they will take on 10 seed the Hawks of St. Joseph's."

The Connecticut four stood up and cheered; after a one year absence the Huskies were back in the tourney.

After the Midwest bracket was announced, the field of 68 was now complete although one PBB team had been left out; that was the first thing Bailey realized.

"St. John's…they must have been one of the first four out," Bailey said.

"They lost four of their last six, I'm not surprised they got left out," Ernie said. "They really cratered down the stretch."

No sooner had Bailey finished talking than Jason and Tommy had come out with the brackets.

"OK, guys, listen up!" Tommy said. "First of all, I've sent emails to both Marcus and London, they told me on the smart watch they have the brackets.

"While the trophy the originals won two years ago may not be at stake, we have some pretty cool stuff on hand this year," Tommy said, turning to Chelsea.

"As you all know, my sports PR firm works very closely with WWE," Chelsea said. "For the third place finisher, not only will you be granted instant access to WWE Network, but you will be in the running to win tickets to WrestleMania 31 at the new Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara."

That got a huge round of applause; for the first time since 2005, WrestleMania would be coming back to California in 2015 and one of the participants would be in the running to win it!

"Kim, you're up," Tommy said.

"As everyone knows, I was in a sorority at Florida…as a matter of fact, the very same one that Erin Andrews was in while she was there," Kim said. "As I've said many times, two of my sorority sisters, two of my best friends outside of all of you guys work in sports management in both Major League Baseball spring training leagues. The second place finisher of our competition will win full spring training passes for the team of your choice."

That got a huge round of applause as almost everyone in the group were huge baseball fans. That left Phil with the floor…he had connections that were responsible for the first place prize that year.

"Like Kim, my friend from Bowling Green also works in sports management, and works in particular with the major preseason conference tournaments in college basketball," Phil said. "I am hereby pleased to announce that the winner of this year's competition will receive full tickets to whichever preseason college basketball tournament you wish. The winner…I just need to know by the middle of summer which tournament you want so arrangements can be made."

A huge roar went up at that; most of the group had wanted to go to a major preseason tournament, and now one of them would get that chance.

TBC...