Well, let’s just say not many went out on a limb with their predictions in the Annual Coverage Opinions “Final Four” Contest.  Of the barrage of entries, 99% picked Gonzaga and Baylor to play in the championship game.  Then, of those risk-averse folks, 99% chose Gonzaga to cut down the net.

So kudos to Cecil Suitt, Senior Claims Adjuster for BXS Insurance in Little Rock, for having the courage to choose Baylor to be the last team standing.  Of the few who chose Baylor, Cecil came closest in the total points tie-breaker. 

This wasn’t just a complete guess for Cecil.  He told me that, having seen what Baylor did to his Arkansas Razorbacks, he knew that the Bears were “special.”

I will send Cecil an autographed copy of John Grisham’s newest book, Sooley, being released on April 27.  Coincidentally, the book is about a college basketball player.

Thanks to all who entered.  As always, the entries were fun to read.  Some showed emotion in their picks, ala Dickie V.  Some provided analysis with their picks, displaying a little Jay Bilas [who, by the way, is a lawyer, and I interviewed for CO several years back]. 

But my favorite entry, hands down, was the one that came in Monday morning, after the semi-finals had been played.  You guessed it -- this person chose Baylor and Gonzaga to tip-off that night. He was even more sure than all the others.