Congratulations to the top 3 finishers of the 2025 Basketball Manitoba March Madness Men’s Bracket Challenge!  We had our first ever 4-way tie for 1st place. The tie was broken by the person who guessed the closest to the combined final score of 128 points (Florida 65 Houston 63) with Johnson guessing exactly 128, Kendall guessing 142, Carter guessing 145 and Joseph guessing 167. We will contact all winners directly later this week to get your prizes to you!  Thanks to all 682 people who played; we’ll do it again next year!  #mbhoops



Congratulations to the top 3 finishers of the 2025 Basketball Manitoba March Madness Women’s Bracket Challenge!  The 3rd place tie was broken by the person who guessed the closest to the combined final score of 141 points (Uconn 82 South Carolina 59) with Aiden guessing 157 and Jody guessing 161. We will contact all winners directly later this week to get your prizes to you!  Thanks to all 256 people who played; we’ll do it again next year!  #mbhoops 

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME SCENARIOS

Women's Pool - UConn vs South Carolina - Sunday at 2:00 pm Central Time (ABC / TSN TV)

Final Standings if Connecticut Wins
  • 1st Place - Xizhe Hu - 411 points - $400.00 cash prize 
  • 2nd Place - Aubrey Carr - 393 points - $200.00 cash prize
  • 3rd Place - Aiden Edwards - 388 points - $100.00 cash prize *
  • 3rd Place - Jody Jury - 388 points - $100.00 cash prize *
      • * The CBS system will automatically determine the final placing based on the final game score and the person guessing closest to the combined score. 
    Final Standings if South Carolina Wins
    • 1st Place - Stephen Ralko - 358 points - $400.00 cash prize 
    • 2nd Place - Derek Acorn - 356 points - $200.00 cash prize 
    • 3rd Place - Darryl Penner - 348 points - $100.00 cash prize 

    Men's Pool - Florida vs Houston - Monday at 7:50 pm Central Time (CBS / TSN TV)

    Final Standings if Florida Wins
    • 1st/2nd/3rd Place - Carter Chen - 335 points - $400/$2000/$100 cash prize *
    • 1st/2nd/3rd Place - Johnson Kwalsky - 335 points - $400/$200/$100 cash prize *
    • 1st/2nd/3rd Place - Joseph Wermie - 335 points - $400/$200/$100 cash prize *
    • 1st/2nd/3rd Place - Kendall Perpall - 335 points - $400/$200/$100 cash prize *
      • * The CBS system will automatically determine the final placing based on the final game score and the person guessing closest to the combined score. The person finishing 4th will not receive one of the prizes.  
    Final Standings if Houston Wins
    • 1st Place - Anton Dziuba - 325 points - $400.00 cash prize 
    • 2nd Place - Brian Gwizon - 320 points - $200.00 cash prize 
    • 3rd Place - Carter Chen - 335 points - $100.00 cash prize *
    • 3rd Place - Johnson Kwalsky - 335 points - $100.00 cash prize *
    • 3rd Place - Joseph Wermie - 335 points - $100.00 cash prize *
    • 3rd Place - Kendall Perpall - 335 points - $100.00 cash prize *
      • * The CBS system will automatically determine the final placing based on the final game score and the person guessing closest to the combined score. The people finishing 4th and lower will not receive one of the prizes.  
    ________________________________________________


    Welcome to the 18th annual Basketball Manitoba NCAA March Madness Bracket Challenge! For the fourth year, we are excited to offer a women's pool option alongside the men's bracket, with the same cash prizes up for grabs. There is no cost to register to join our pools, and they are open to any Manitoba resident to participate for a chance to win some great prizes. The deadline to enter the respective pools is listed below.

    Welcome to the 682 people who submitted their picks to the Basketball Manitoba NCAA March Madness Men's Pool and the 265 people who submitted their picks to the Basketball Manitoba NCAA March Madness Women's Pool! 

    We invited ALL basketball fans to submit their picks into our pool for a chance to win some great prizes.  The deadline to enter the men's pool was Thursday, March 20 at 10:00 am, and women's closes until Friday, March 21 at 10:00 am Manitoba time.  See more on how to enter below.  There is NO cost to enter either pool.



    PRIZES
    The top 3 finishers in each pool (men's and women's) will receive from Basketball Manitoba...
    • 1st Place - $400.00 cash prize 
    • 2nd Place - $200.00 cash prize
    • 3rd Place - $100.00 cash prize

    PRIZE ELIGIBILITY

    COST TO JOIN
    • There is no cost to enter this pool or to become an online subscriber or follower of Basketball Manitoba. 

    TIEBREAKER
    • If the overall points score is tied at the end of the tournament, the winner(s) will be determined using the combined score you gave in the national championship game.  
    • The person picking the closest to this number will be given the win.

    FORUMS / MESSAGE BOARDS
    • You are welcome to add comments to the Forums / Message Boards provided.  
    • We ask that you refrain from making personal or inappropriate comments.  
    • Those found doing so will be removed from the pool at Basketball Manitoba's discretion.

    OTHER RULES
    • You must use your real name on the CBS pool systems to be eligible for prizes.
    • Prizes are to be accepted as listed.  No substitutions. 
    • Current Basketball Manitoba staff are eligible to enter the pool but not eligible to win one of the prizes.  
    • A person can enter the men's and women's pool only one time (no multiple entries per person)

    POOL TIMELINES 
    (Deadlines are set by the respective pool platforms and, once closed, cannot be reopened)
    • Selection Sunday: Sunday, March 16, 2025 (announced by early evening on CBS)
    • Men's Pool Deadline: Thursday, March 20, 2025, 10:00 AM Central time
    • Women's Pool Deadline: Friday, March 21, 2025, 10:00 AM Central time



    HOW TO JOIN THE MEN'S POOL - POWERED BY CBS SPORTS
    1. CLICK HERE to visit the CBS Sports website.  
    2. New Members select the "Sign Up" button at the top right of the page and complete the online registration form with all the required fields.
    3. Returning Members, select the "Log In" button at the top right of the page and enter your CBS Sports username and password (a lost password option is provided if needed).
    4. Enter the Basketball Manitoba pool password when requested:  basketballmb
    5. Set your "CBS Sports" name to your real first and last name so we can identify the pool winners and award the prizes.
    6. Return to the CBS Sports site between Sunday, March 16, 2025, and before 10 AM Manitoba time on Thursday, March 20, 2025, and submit your picks.
    7. Sign up for the Basketball Manitoba email newsletter and follow Basketball Manitoba on Instagram to be eligible for the prizes.

    NCAA MEN'S POOL GROUP SCORING

    RoundPoints for Correct Pick*
    Round 11 x seed
    Round 22 x seed
    Round 34 x seed
    Round 48 x seed
    Round 516 x seed
    Round 632 x seed

    * The winning team's seed is multiplied by the correct pick total. For example, if the 8th seed wins in the third round, you would be credited 24 points (8 x 3). 


    HOW TO JOIN THE WOMEN'S POOL - POWERED BY CBS SPORTS
    1. CLICK HERE to visit the CBS Sports website.  
    2. New Members select the "Sign Up" button at the top right of the page and complete the online registration form with all the required fields.
    3. Returning Members, select the "Log In" button at the top right of the page and enter your CBS Sports username and password (a lost password option is provided if needed).
    4. Enter the Basketball Manitoba pool password when requested:  basketballmb
    5. Set your "CBS Sports" name to your real first and last name so we can identify the pool winners and award the prizes.
    6. Return to the CBS Sports site between Sunday, March 16, 2025, and before 10 AM Manitoba time on Friday, March 21, 2025, and submit your picks.
    7. Sign up for the Basketball Manitoba email newsletter and follow Basketball Manitoba on Instagram to be eligible for the prizes.

    NCAA WOMEN'S POOL GROUP SCORING

    RoundPoints for Correct Pick*
    Round 11 x seed
    Round 22 x seed
    Round 34 x seed
    Round 48 x seed
    Round 516 x seed
    Round 632 x seed

    * The winning team's seed is multiplied by the correct pick total. For example, if the 8th seed wins in the third round, you would be credited 24 points (8 x 3). 

    DISCLAIMER 
    These pools are intended for entertainment purposes only.  Basketball Manitoba does not endorse gambling or sports betting in any form.
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