Scott Bowers of Webb City, Mo., wins KUsports.com bracket contest

Scott Bowers of Webb City, Mo., — winner of the 2011 KUsports.com bracket contest, sponsored by Kief's Audio/Video in Lawrence.

It took him less than three minutes to make all his picks, but in the end, Scott Bowers is happy that he stuck with his instinct to have UConn advance all the way in his KUsports.com bracket.

Bowers was the big winner in KUsports.com's 2011 NCAA Tournament bracket contest, sponsored by Henry T's, Brotherhood Bank, Lynn Electric, Crown Automotive and Intrust Bank. He will have his 42-inch HDTV, courtesy of Kief's Audio/Video in Lawrence, delivered to his home in Webb City, Mo.

Bowers was one of only 29 KUsports.com contestants that picked UConn to win the title. He also correctly picked Kentucky to advance to the Final Four.

"I went into the tournament feeling good about UConn based on their play in the Big East tournament," Bowers said. "I felt if Kemba Walker continued his great play into the NCAAs, keeping UConn out of the Final Four was going to be difficult."

Bowers — a KU fan who attended KU's second- and third-round games in Tulsa, Okla., last month — said he hated not picking the Jayhawks to win the title, but "since it was a KU website, I figure my odds were better picking someone else to win."

Bowers said he filled out his bracket quickly, using the knowledge he had of the teams in the tournament from watching college basketball all year.

His late picks were much better than his early ones.

"After the first weekend, I pretty much gave up on the idea of winning the contest and told myself next year I'm letting my cat pick the teams," Bowers said. "I don't remember where I was ranked but it wasn't good."

Bowers decided to check back in when he realized he had correctly picked two teams into the Final Four. He had moved all the way up to fifth.

"I think I read the rules of the point system 50 times to make sure," Bowers said, "but I knew with no one having UConn as a champion in front of me, that my success was tied to them."

UConn's 53-41 victory over Butler sealed Bowers' championship with 158 points. arhaith was second with 151 points, while emceelean was third with 150 points.

President Barack Obama's picks placed him at 130th out of 2,962 KUSports.com entries, while photographer Nick Krug was the top KUsports.com staff bracket, finishing 495th.

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ahpersecoachingexperience 2 years, 1 month ago

Now if only the state of Missouri had electricity!!!

esj2003 2 years, 1 month ago

Traitor.

justinryman 2 years, 1 month ago

Loving the Kansas sweatshirt and hat worn in Mizzeryland. I like to do the dame here in lackHuskerland myself.

Congrats!!!

ahpersecoachingexperience 2 years, 1 month ago

As if being a ku fan didn't make him the envy of the trailer park. Now he has a shinny new picture box. Hang that up (if the fiberglass walls can support it) and his property value doubles.

And did we really need that many sponsors to buy a couple hundred dollar tv?!?!

FELONY 2 years, 1 month ago

Two of the first four posts to slam a KU fan because he lives in mizery. Nevermind that there are 82,161 KU alumni living in the greater Kansas City area.

And you are a more loyal KU fan because...

ahpersecoachingexperience 2 years, 1 month ago

Calm down turbo, they're jokes! Yes I know ku people live in mo. I know not evey one in mo lives in a used FEMA trailer. But I'm not sure every one in mo has indoor plumbing. Which is why Scott is happy the winning prize was not a golden toilet.

Pbbut 2 years, 1 month ago

I've been living with the enemy for the last 33 years, and in many respects, it's great. Best of all, it's like having a non-compete clause for life.

Im_a_DC_Jayhawk 2 years, 1 month ago

This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.

kcglowboy 2 years, 1 month ago

They're jokes? Really? Not only are they not funny, they're just ugly. Lay off, will ya? Please?

onlyoneUinKansas 2 years, 1 month ago

Wish Webb City was in the state of Kansas check out the winning their highschool has done(Jerry Kill started it). LOTS of KU fans down in SW MO(and the MO fans hate it!) Congrats!

DSommersby 2 years, 1 month ago

Congrats to Scott on his picks. Hated that UConn won it and not KU, but kudos on your brackets. I'm thinking that picture is at the Precious Moments chapel in Carthage, MO. Very pretty area. Like others have said - it is great to have Jayhawks all over representing. Rock Chalk!

RCJ 2 years, 1 month ago

haters. congrats scott, and don't listen to apurseshoppingexperience

dapcook 2 years, 1 month ago

congrats! I got my rank up to like 9 one day, then it all went to crack!

FELONY 2 years, 1 month ago

apursesnatchingexperience, hahahaha!

mikendal 2 years, 1 month ago

Congrats, Scott. Nice to know that the winner lives in Missouri. Nice!!!! Sweet!!!!!!!!!

SNOWWIS 2 years, 1 month ago

Well done. I did like 50 brackets total on the internet. However none of them ended with UCONN winning it all. Actually they all ended with KU winning it, go figure.

memhawk 2 years, 1 month ago

Obama landed in 130th place!

Now that the government is not shutting down, UConn team will still get their visit to the White House. I'm sure Calhoun will have comments about Obama's picks, Hopefully,Obama will not cave in and will stand by his predictions of KU being the team that was supposed to have won it all. But, he probably won't. More votes from Conn. on the line or Kansas?

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2011 NCAA Tournament