ROUND ONE (2 points each)
=========================
GAME 1: (8) Indiana vs. (9) Wisconsin
WINNER: Indiana, 57-53

With talent like Emily Ashbaugh in sight,
There are fans Who think Jane’s kids are “Albright”.
STEPHANIE wears red and WHITE, as does Kristi SEEGER,
But still Badgers’ chances appear to be meager.

GAME 2: (7) Iowa vs. (10) Northwestern
WINNER: Iowa, 66-59

Kristin Ambrose and Samantha McComb
Will be playing away from their Welsh-Ryan home.
Center Sarah Kwasinski sure has some skill,
But who’ll be knocked out? Why, Natalie Will!

GAME 3: (6) Illinois vs. (11) Michigan
WINNER: Illinois, 78-61

Ask Jennifer Smith and young Nikki Reams
About the tourney: they’ll say they have dreams.
Yet I’d be a-Maized if Blue Avis of victory Rara
Lands on the shoulder of coach Sue Guevara.

ROUND 2 (4 pts/ea)
==================
GAME 4: (1) Penn State vs. winner of Game 1 (Indiana/Wisconsin)
WINNER: Penn State 65, Indiana 51

Kathi Bennett’s Hoosiers have plenty of youth:
April Williams, Brigett Branson, Jenny DeMuth.
But the Crimson won’t rise like Cream, I must say,
‘Cause March 7 just isn’t Valentin’s Day.

GAME 5: (4) Ohio State vs. (5) Michigan State
WINNER: Michigan State, 73-71

Alongside Coleman, Turner, and Matter,
There’s surely a chance that Kim Wilburn hotter.
Yet I see the Bucks caught in Sparty’s trap,
Foiling DiDi’s plan for a Reynolds victory rap.

GAME 6: (2) Minnesota vs. winner of Game 2 (Iowa/Northwestern)
WINNER: Minnesota 78, Iowa 69

What you talkin’ ‘bout, Lillis? Oh, you have a plan
To celebrate with Reedy and Becca McCann.
But though Faulkner may be Sound through the Fury,
“You won’t be The Unvanquished”, says this one-man jury.

GAME 7: (3) Purdue vs. winner of game 3 (Illinois/Michigan)
WINNER: Purdue 82, Illinois 75

Though Issenmann, Hagberg, Acuna, and Yanni
May think their chances of triumph are bonnie,
To Cindy I say -- without forethought of malice --
The semis will feature an absence of Dallas.

ROUND 3 (7 pts/ea)
==================
GAME 8: Winners of games 4 and 5 (PSU/Ind/Wis vs. OSU/MSU)
WINNER: Penn State 63, Michigan State 62

Though the margin of McCallie’s loss should be slim,
The outlook for aide Janel just seems too Grimm.
I’m sure, however, that I’ll rise from my seat a
Time or two to marvel at Bromfield, Syreeta.

GAME 9: Winners of games 6 and 7 (Min/Iowa/NU vs. Pur/Ill/Mch)
WINNER: Minnesota 74, Purdue 71

In my craw this prediction certainly sticks,
Yet defeat looms for Jones, Noon, and Hicks.
At least some folks may learn – if you’ll pardon my Czech --
Erika pronounces her last name “Va-lek”, as in “wreck”.

ROUND 4 (10 pts/ea)
===================
GAME 10: Winner of game 8 vs. winner of game 9
WINNER: Minnesota 75, Penn State 66

If you hate to see Mazzante have fun, go
See the defeat of Schwab, Strom, and Brungo.
As Happy Valley’s folks are forced to lament
Rene sinking like a wet bag of Portland cement.

TIEBREAKER
==========
Combined points scored by 2 teams in championship game: 141

O’er Conseco will Von Wald’s, Prince’s, and Lieser’s
Reign be triumphal – like latter-day Caesars,
Their salad days tasty as steak from the place named for Morton.
Congratulations to Whalen, McCarville, and Borton!