March Madness Stock Pickers Tournament

[billyjoe]

Xing twins

Jiesen, I've heard of the identical twin XING brothers from China. Exactly how tall are they? I may have to make adjustments at the center position.
billyjoe

[Dave]

Hmmm April 5 is a tough ending point for the contest because it is not QUITE the point at which we might see nice run-ups from earnings announcements. I will have to pick and choose carefully for this one...

Update: I have decided to go with a strong defense for this tourney. After all, you cannot win the NCAA Bball tourny with straight offense. At some point you will have an off game. Therefor my team is:

UTSI: 65 @ 30.75
NCEN: 40 @ 49.10
IPAR: 74 @ 26.80
HELE: 70 @ 28.49
KSWS: 83 @ 23.85

Leaving cash position of $80.20

P.S. GO ORANGE!!!!

-Dave

[billyjoe]

Good Dave we really need someone in the Southeast Region. We're not hearing from the Northwest at all. Bill Gates, are you reading this?
billyjoe

[billyjoe]

March Madness Stock Picking Tournament

Hello fans we're happy to introduce our all star analyst, Billy Packrat, Billy. "Glad to be here at the first Mr. Market March Madness Stock Picking Tournament. I'm sure Mr. Market will only have the best of the best. The key to this tournament will be consistency. Many believe this market is in the process of tanking. Any team with an early breakdown will bow out of this competition fast. One breakout and you'll be in good shape. Two out of 5 and you'll probably win. Three and it's a lock. That being said, I still believe it will come down to the final round. I predict the winner will have the decisive breakout on April 2nd or April 5th and will carry home all the cheese.
Some specific observations on the entrants so far. The way I see it you have the 2 juggernauts, one from the east (Mr. Market), one from the west in IIC. Market's strategy is completely out in the open. His record speaks for itself. If each of his guys gains 15 the rest of the field is toast. With IIC it's a different story. One on one for 48 hours nobody can touch him. Will the length of this tournament hinder him? I don't think so. IIC has the ability to have one player gain so much so fast it would negate 2 others that stink up the arena. If IIC gets on a roll he could make a joke of this entire tournament.
As you know every year a "cinderella" or a relative unknown surprises the perennial powerhouses.
Watch out for the guy claiming to pick his team by throwing darts. RL's probably got multiple screens running through his computer as I speak.
Billyjoe, owner of the BJU team is somewhat mysterious. Where did he come from? He must have plenty of cash considering he has his own university. We know recruiting isn't cheap. He also claims to have a top notch coach. There are rumors he's running a right wing fundamentalist school supported by a congregation of believers. Maybe it's a cult.
Jiesen, owner of the "5 out of my ass" team shouldn't be overlooked. I've known investors who make a living out of being underestimated. By the time you figure them out, you're wearing a barrel as they drive away in a new Caddy. The XING twins worry me. Who knows what crazy things they're cooking up in those Chinese cloning labs?
From Scifos' name I'm guessing he has MAFIA ties. You know what effect that can have on a contest.
The last minute entries will be real wild cards. You just never know. This is Billy Packrat reporting from Market Central Arena. See you tomorrow with more details."

[Bakxs]

Picks...

HZO, CERG, NUTR, PPC & TOL.

My Dawgs are in the Big Dance. Unfortunately if we can win our first one, we are staring @ UK in the 2nd round. BLAH~

Good luck to all...

--Bakxs

[Karel]

Suggestion: seeing as one smart guy has doubled up already on one stock, I would propose to allow maximal one double up on one stock in a team (or preferably not to allow doubling up at all). Reasons should be obvious: the team result becomes (more) dependent on the performance of one stock in the team, and that does away with the team idea.

Regards,

Karel

[billyjoe]

Karel, I agree to the one double up rule. Jiesen shouldn't be penalized by a retro rule. Of course he's also doubled the chance of failure. I'm still worried about the height of the XING boys.
billyjoe

[Karel]

Karel, I agree to the one double up rule. Jiesen shouldn't be penalized by a retro rule. Of course he's also doubled the chance of failure. I'm still worried about the height of the XING boys.

BillyJoe, I still think I have a point about not allowing to double up. Only one can win, so it is a good strategy to accept more variability = a greater possibility of winning returns. Of course jiesen shouldn't be penalized by a retro rule, I am just looking forward.

Example X-A-B-C-D, A through D stand still, X will win or lose 50%.
X-A-B-C-D = 9000, or 11000 (avg gain 10%)
X-X-A-B-C = 8000, or 12000 (avg gain 20%)
X-X-X-A-B = 7000, or 13000 (avg gain 30%)
X-X-X-X-A = 6000, or 14000 (avg gain 40%)
X-X-X-X-X = 5000, or 15000 (avg gain 50%)

You see? The chance to win or lose your bet on X remains the same, but the greater returns with doubling, tripling etc. make your chance to get a team that actually wins greater. The chance not to win was great anyway. (Statistically speaking; and with enough competition: head to head this is a neutral strategy.)

[jiesen]

and they're off

XING brothers control the tip, ball goes to GUSH. (helps to be 11 ft tall)
GUSH hits an immediate 3 pointer from mid-court!

and the crowd goes wild...

[billyjoe]

Jiesen, I was afraid of that. My center is only 7' 4". But I'll go with the guy that got me this far. Wait a minute there's a breaking news flash from Market Center Arena. Got to go.
billyjoe

[billyjoe]

This is Billy Packrat reporting from the beautiful snowy confines of Market Central Arena. The winter wonderland reminds me of the flowing white mane of my special guest, just named coach of BJU, the famous veteran mentor, Knobby Bight. Knobby, how about a few words with your many fans?
* "What's all this about a flowing white mane, Billy. Are you a fag? Cause if you're a fag this conversation is over.
Yes, I'm Knobby f...ing Bight, best coach in this or any other sport. My opponents are all amateurs. They couldn't beat my old high school team, the Orville Schmucks. Maybe I'll just snooze on the bench and let my son handle these jerks.
Market's a joke, 15% this and 15 that. Well here's my 15 (obscene jesture). Don't think about coming after me with those 19" biceps Market or I'll wrap them around your throat. You know what they say when inches go on the arms they come off other areas of the body.
And IIC doesn't scare me. He's just a pretty boy. Did you see his picture on Market's site. I know his type "Oh, Please don't hurt me Knobby".
Billy, can you get all these damn groupies out of my face? Hey girls, I'll give you a little rap ditty if you promise to leave.
"These chicks don't even know the name of my team
But they're all on me like they want in my jeans
If I lose I'll need you later I know
But for now just leave, blow"
I'll be back tomorrow to announce my starting lineup. Market, IIC, and you other panty wastes better bring an extra pair of shorts 'cause you'll need them."
This is Billy back again. Knobby you are a bad man. I'm just glad MMBC didn't sell out to clear channel or we'd be off the air.

*billyjoe and BJU disavow any responsibility for the language and or actions of Knobby Bight

[MEA_1956]

Cornfuskers

This has been a bad year for the Cornfusckers and we will not be able to make it to the big dance. But we have been Invited to a Ball, Where ever the TIT is and what ever game they are playing. Maybe next year we will be able to send a team. ====> MEA

[ytown12]

Here is my starting five...

Here is ytown12's starting five :

ARO Power Forward and best dresser on the team
ESMC Out of control 3 point shooter that is either hot or cold
FMT Stable center who has all the money
PARL The best smelling guard on the team
RATE The other guard who is mortgaging his career to make the finals

Go Pitt Panthers..

[billyjoe]

Welcome ytown 12, We now have firm commitments from 9 teams. You will be placed in the midwest region. Thanks,
billyjoe

[Iggy]

I'm game...

IMGG (10.95 as of this)
ALSM (5.90 as of this)
PARL (10.35 as of this)
MRVT (3.35 as of this)
NCEN (48.95 as of this)

NHLC - Ugh. I sold when they were rejected for Amex listing thinking there was something wrong with the company perhaps. Oops.

Washington state here, so your Pacific Northwest is handled.