In March 10 IssueWith conference tournaments wrapping up this week and weekend, we at the Times Journal are set to host our second community-wide bracket contest during the NCAA Men's basketball tournament and the action begins Sunday.
Last year's bracket contest, which was won by Gail Berry, had nearly 250 entrants and this free event will again be highlighted by the grand prize, a houseboat weekend on Lake Cumberland courtesy of Indian Hills Resort/Alligator II Marina, a $2,000 value.
Other runner-up prizes in the contest will include four oil changes from Franklin Motors, a $30 value for each change, a $25 gift certificate from The Porch in Russell Springs and a University of Kentucky plaid tote from Sarah’s Cards and Gifts, a $21 value.
The NCAA brackets will be accepted at the Times Journal office at 120 Wilson St. only through 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 15, the date of the first tournament games after Selection Sunday on March 13.
The 2011 Final Four will be held at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas on April 2 and 4.
This year, the NCAA announced changes to the opening round format for the 2011 NCAA tournament.
There will now be a "First Four" games played on March 15 and 16 after Selection Sunday, which is March 13.
The first round will then be played on both Thursday and Friday.
“We at the paper are looking forward to this year's contest and urge everyone to stop in on Monday, March 14 and receive a bracket to fill out or bring one of your own into us no later than 5 p.m. on March 15,” said Times Journal Editor Derek Aaron.
“With no fee to pay to enter the contest it makes it even more appealing to you, the reader, that you might win a weekend on the lake at no cost.”
The sponsors for this year's Times Journal bracket contest are Indian Hills Resort/Alligator II Marina, Laker Country 104.9 fm WJRS/ESPN Radio 1060 am, Franklin Motors, The Porch Restaurant and Sarah’s Cards and Gifts.
For more information on bracket contest rules and scoring, please see the advertisement on page A3 of this issue or tune in to Laker Country 104.9 fm or ESPN Radio 1060 through next Tuesday afternoon.
