MASCOT BATTLE!!!

I didn't fare especially well in my last group of predictions. I couldn't imagine both Syracuse and Ohio State losing in the Sweet Sixteen. And yet they did, making me 5-for-8 (62.5%) in the last two days. I'm not talking about my bracket, mind you. I'm referring to the predictions I made after the first two rounds. That's how crazy the 2010 NCAA Tournament has been - full of surprises!

For the entire tournament, I've gotten 62% of my picks correct. Snow Leopard, currently in first place, has guessed 40 of 58 correctly - an astonishing 69%! In addition, he picked Butler in the Final Four, which looks like a great possibility (jinx). At least 2 participants could also benefit from a Kansas State win tomorrow (double jinx), i.e. Pennywise and Treeshrews.

Outside of these Final Four picks, we clearly can't predict much. As you may know, only 8 out of 25 players have a shot at picking the correct champion. Let's turn to something a bit more subjective...

The Elite Eight of Mascots!!!
Here's are the matchups for tomorrow and Sunday (click on the links for pics).

Willie The Wildcat (Kansas State) versus Hink the Bulldog (Butler)
A classic cat and dog rivalry. Willie's costume pretty much consists of an over-sized gray head with white stripes. He's a very versatile dresser - his attire depends on what sport he's cheering on (jersey & pads for football, etc.). Hink (above) has a sandy-colored fur costume, complete with cartoony jowls, floppy ears and a blue ballcap. Both Willie and Hink have prominent white teeth. Willie's identity is generally kept secret.
Edge: Hink. Willie's anatomy, as a cat-human hybrid, is bit confusing. Kansas State, spring the extra thousand dollars for the full costume.

The Mountaineer (West Virginia) versus Wildcat (Kentucky)
Man vs. Wild. The mascot from Morgantown does not hide behind a mask. He (or she) wears animal skins and a coonskin hat. Currently, the Mountaineer is played by senior Brock Burwell, who is also the chairperson of the Mountaineer Week Beard Growing Competition (not making this up). Wildcat started attending games in 1977, and it looks like they're still using the same ratty costume. Recently, Kentucky added kid-friendly Scratch to help with the mascot responsibilities.
Edge: The Mountaineer. He carries a rifle. (Though, personally I like the woman Mountaineer better)

Smokey (Tennessee) versus Sparty (Michigan State)
In Knoxville, Smokey the costumed mascot gets second billing to the real Smokey, a Coontick Bluehound. But both are regularly seen at football games and both wear agonizingly bright orange garments. Beyond having an impressive body and green helmet, Sparty has plenty of awards - a three-time national champion mascot and rated “Buffest Mascot” by Muscle and Fitness Magazine.
Edge: Sparty. He's on the cover of the video game NCAA Football 09 for the Wii, and he's not even an athlete.

Bruiser (Baylor) versus The Blue Devil (Duke)
Nothing against Bruiser, but I would prefer having Lady and Joy on the sidelines. In case you didn't know, the Blue Devil nickname takes it inspiration from courageous French soldiers in World War I, who donned blue capes and berets. Today's Cameron costumed freak is more of a demon with a D-shaped pitchfork. He frightens little kids by denying them financial aid.
Edge: The Blue Devil. That said, I think Ramses the Tarheel mascot could take him in a fair fight.

There you have it: a Final Four with Butler, West Virginia, Michigan State and Duke.

If this post interested you even minutely, you might also want to check out:
The Pie vs. Cake Sweet Sixteen
The Superheroes vs. Supervillians Bracket - down to the Final Four

Batman or Superman? Who do ya like? It might be obvious to you, but people are pretty evenly split on this question.