The World-Herald’s Dirk Chatelain wondered on twitter today whether a team had ever made the NCAA championship game without beating a Top-7 seed at any point in the tournament. (Kansas could do it this year if they keep winning and Butler beats Florida.)

So, I did some checking with the Washington Post’s amazing bracket database and found that the answer to Dirk’s question, unsurprisingly, is no.

But I also discovered that only three No. 1 seeds have even made the FINAL FOUR without beating a Top-7 seed.

’91 North Carolina beat a 16 seed, a 9 seed, a 12 seed, and a 10 seed.
’01 Michigan State beat a 16, 9, 12, 11.
’08 Kansas beat a 16, 8, 12, 10.

Nerdy, yes. Also cool.

NCAA tournament pool stats after the first weekend:

19-13 in the first round. Good enough for last place.

6-10 in the second round. Good enough for last place.

I have 3 of my Elite 8 left. I have 2 of my Four left.

I’m losing to a cat (a real cat) that made his picks based on bird mascots and colors.

My only hope is that Stephanie’s bracket wins (she’s in fourth place) and she throws a couple bucks my way.

Watching four live basketball games in one day is hard. Almost too hard. So it helps when:

1. You get yelled at the minute you get into town by an angry local pedestrian who was almost hit while crossing the street illegally.

2. While searching for parking (any parking) you find a toothless guy with three spots left. Literally steps from the front door.

3. You get interviewed by a reporter from the local paper who’s impressed that you’ve made the trip all the way from Nebraska without a team to root for. (Watch for our story and photos in Friday’s Providence Journal. OK, maybe no photos. Story here.)

4. The first game of the day, which should be a blowout, nearly ends up as one of the biggest upsets in tournament history. You instantly become a Robert Morris fan.

5. Get to decide which mascot is creepier: Richmond’s four-legged red “spider” or the St. Mary’s dude who’s a dead ringer for the Geico caveman.

6. After asking the guys in front of you why they’re passing money back and forth each time there’s a dead ball, you win two bucks playing the greatest basketball gambling game ever.

7. Oh yeah. Game 3 is a 14-seed over a No. 3. And game 4 goes down to the last shot.