Last year at about this time, I was writing something about how awful our picks were for the First Annual Uncle Crappy NCAA Final Four Challenge.

This year, for the Second Annual Uncle Crappy NCAA Final Four Challenge, I’m not. Because, overwhelmingly, we don’t suck.

As you know by now, the Final Four is set: Georgetown, UCLA, Florida and Ohio State. So with the rules in mind (one point per correct pick, three points for correctly picking the champ) I whipped out the calculator and came up with these standings:

1) Mr. Burns (4 points)
2) The Wife, SCarolina Boy, Sister of Uncle Crappy and Uncle Crappy (3 points)
3) Kewyson, Fred, Ethel, Large and ahomer (2 points)
4) HP (1 point)
5) Juan (0 points)

Some observations:

Mr. Burns, who had to be dragged into last year’s contest kicking and screaming, shouldn’t ever try to boycott brackets ever again. No more whining outta you.

Of those tied for second place, The Wife, Sister of Uncle Crappy and yours truly all have their championship game picks intact, so our potential for more points is intact as well. And don’t feel too bad for SCarolina Boy — his championship pick, Florida, is still in the game as well.

In third place, Kewyson is still looking good — his title game, Ohio State vs. Florida — is still in play. Ahomer could still earn more points if Georgetown wins it all. The futures of Fred and Large are limited. And our regrets go out to Ethel — she got on the board, but she can’t go any further.

HP’s picks weren’t too hot, but she can still pick up a few more points if OSU, her championship pick, continues. But she’s on vacation in Hawaii at the moment, and I’m going to go out on a limb and guess she doesn’t give a shit. Have another mai-tai.

And then there’s Juan. He was made aware of the risk of taking on Phil’s Mom’s picks, and while he was teetering on the brink of legend, UNLV didn’t come through for him. I hope we can count on you for the same deal next year.

By this time next week, boys and girls, we’ll know definitively who has a shot and who doesn’t. Stock up on chewing gum, tie your shoes and let the kids pick out your necktie — and good luck next weekend.

*UPDATE: I just noticed a hit from Hawaii around 5 p.m. Eastern today. I guess HP gives a shit after all.