Have fun with the hoops, outlaws

Technically, yeah, those NCAA Tournament office pools are illegal.

“From a strict interpretation of Article 19 of the criminal code, yes, an office pool for money is technically gambling and could be considered a petty misdemeanor,” said 9th Judicial District Attorney Brian Stover.

That means potentially six months in jail and a $500 fine.

The good news is Stover said he’s not conducting any local hoop sting operations and won’t be prosecuting anyone for participating in the pools unless … somebody complains to his office – “If I get a complaint, I have to investigate whether I want to or not; that’s the law.” -- or there is evidence of commercial gambling in which the house takes some of the proceeds.

Got it?

OK, now get out your dollars and your brackets, outlaws.

Notes and quotes on these basketball games we’re all about to watch as most of the 68-team field tips off Thursday or Friday:

• • •

Even the District Attorney’s Office has a bracket contest.

Stover said no money changes hands, but the winner receives a traveling trophy to keep in their office for a year.

“I can’t remember who won last year,” Stover claimed on Monday, “but it was certainly not me.”

He was working on his bracket early this week but had already picked his winner: “I’m going Texas Tech all the way,” he said. “Always go with your heart … my head hasn’t done me any better in the past in these things.”

• • •

Duane Chase, a local radio sports director, said he plans to participate in three tournament pools this year.

He has three not-so-surefire ways to pick the winners.

“I go strictly by rankings on one of them,” he said. “Then I go with kind of a formula of teams I think can win. The third (approach) is totally based on who’s my favorite.”

His favorite this year?

Baylor.

But he also likes Arkansas’ chances of reaching the Final Four. The Razorbacks are hot and “I don’t see anybody in their bracket that lights me up,” Chase said..

• • •

A few tips for watching games at work … without getting fired:

• Watch games online while wearing a headset. That way co-workers won’t be disturbed … while they watch their own games.

• Be in charge of your office pool. If you’re in charge, you have to keep up to date on the scores so you can provide information while others work. Right?

• Come to work early and/or stay late so you can actually complete work when you’re not watching games.

• • •

Jenny Essary of Floyd said Monday she hasn’t thought a lot about who is most likely to win the tournament. But she knows who she’s rooting for: Texas Tech (isn’t everyone?) and the University of Tennessee.

Why does she root for the Volunteers?

“Because my mom and aunt are alumni and I have to at all times,” she said.

• • •

Sports Illustrated has compiled a list of Cinderella teams that could “blow up your bracket.”

SI suggests you be particularly careful before picking against Colorado State, Loyola Chicago, San Diego State, the University of Alabama- Birmingham or San Francisco.

Everybody loves a good Cinderella story, right?

• • •

Eastern New Mexico University Athletic Director Paul Weir has been under the March Madness spotlight several times as a college coach. In 2017, he led New Mexico State to the dance after a 28-5 regular season. His Aggies lost to Baylor in the first round of that tourney, but the experience, he said, “is like none other. Words cannot describe it.”

Good luck getting him to speculate on a winner or identify a favorite this year.

“I can’t,” he laughed. “That would mean I’m predicting against somebody else.”

Weir, a college basketball coach since 2004, said he’s rooting for too many teams, players and coaches to name.

“New Mexico State still has some players I recruited there and so you cheer for them. Arizona has one player I recruited, Purdue has one, Creighton … That’s kind of how I follow it, cheering and rooting on people I know.”

He did admit to an affinity for two of this year’s tournament teams.

“Iowa and New Mexico State,” he said. “I have degrees from both schools and I wish them both the absolute best and I look forward to watching them, hopefully, go on a good run.”

• • •

The Oregon Ducks, coached by Eastern New Mexico University graduate Dana Altman, didn’t make the NCAA tourney field this year, for the first time since 2018. But they are among 32 teams in the National Invitational Tournament field.

They were scheduled to play Utah State on Tuesday night.

• • •

Don’t forget about the women.

They have their own 68-team field this year, to match the men, and games begin today, all on ESPN affiliates.

The championship game is April 3.

No. 1 seeds are South Carolina, Louisville, Stanford and North Carolina State.

It’s illegal to bet on them, too.

Consider yourselves warned, outlaws.

David Stevens does not bet on sports, but will occasionally contribute to the charitable causes of co-workers. Contact him:

[email protected]