Meanwhile, the family bracketology competition is set.

Snacky’s attempt to get Grandpa barred from the family bracket competition this year was unsuccessful. However, he’s determined to take back the championship. He pointed out that Grandpa only beat him last year by one point, after all, because Grandpa picked Florida to win it all. Snacky says this as if picking Florida represented some insidious form of bracket cheating. But, please understand that poor Snacky was handicapped by his still unexplained hatred of Florida, which resulted in a refusal beyond reason to project them as champions in HIS bracket. So Grandpa rode destiny’s train to the jackpot, and Snacky has been stewing ever since.

(I will note here that Anthony pointed out that Snacky did his brackets all in PENCIL this year. And there have been accusations in the past of eraser marks on certain brackets during the course of the tournament. I guess I’ll take them all to work and make copies. Lots of intrigue surrounds our bracket competition.)

Now, to the point. I know you’re all dying to hear my family’s predictions for the Final Four. Unfortunately, the only ones I have in my possession as of this writing are Snacky’s, Anthony’s and my own. The hubby has been warned that he has to fill out a bracket tomorrow before he leaves for work. No way he gets to waltz in the door at the end of the day with a bracket. Grandma and grandpa are currently in possession of their brackets at their house. I trust them, though — even if Snacky doesn’t.

Quentin should be home any time now, and I’ll have her fill one out just for fun. We usually get a good laugh at her bracket since she doesn’t know anything about basketball. One year, though, she shut us all up by coming in second. Go figure.

Anyway, back to the heavyweight bracketmasters of bracketology. Here’s what we’ve got, and we’ve all got two brackets working.

Snacky’s Bracket #1: He’s got Memphis, UCLA, North Carolina and Kansas in his Final Four. He’s picking UCLA and North Carolina in the championship game, with North Carolina winning it all.

Snacky’s Bracket #2: This is where he shows he’s not a total traitor to KU. He has Texas, UCLA, North Carolina and Kansas in the Final Four. Kansas and UCLA meet up in the championship, with KU winning.

Anthony’s Bracket #1: Exactly the same as Snacky’s #1 bracket, except with UCLA beating North Carolina in the championship game.

Anthony’s Bracket #2: Memphis, UCLA, North Carolina and Georgetown in the Final Four. North Carolina and Memphis meet up in the championship game, and North Carolina wins.

Ant’s not worried about whether we think he’s a traitor to KU. He’s a true bracketologist.

Mom’s Bracket #1: North Carolina, KU, Texas and UCLA in the Final Four. KU meets UCLA in the championship game and gets some payback for last year.

Mom’s Bracket #2: North Carolina, KU, Texas and UCLA in the Final Four. This time KU gets to beat Texas again.

Update: Quentin just got home and filled out one bracket, with Anthony’s help: she’s go UCLA, KU, North Carolina and Memphis. KU and UCLA are going to the championship and KU is winning.

Stay tuned to see if the hubby gets his bracket done before work tomorrow.

Also, plenty of commentary to come as the games begin!

Snacky had been the reigning 3-year family bracket champion until last year, when we let my parents in the pool. Grandpa stole his thunder by winning the pot with a bracket he filled out in about 5 minutes — with his eyes closed. Snacky is trying to get Grandpa barred from our family pool this year, but is garnering NO support for this shady back-door political move.

So we’ll get our brackets filled out and I’ll report on our final four picks.

In the meantime, here’s what’s upcoming.

Day One: Tuesday, March 18

The first game to be played in the NCAA Men’s tournament is the play-in game, to be held Tuesday night. Coppin State(16-20) will play Mount St. Mary’s (18-14) for the privilege of playing the role of cannon fodder for Number 1 seed North Carolina. Good luck, fellas.