By Logan Hall ’14
THE ROUNDUP
This year’s Brophy March Madness bracket contest was one filled with drama and controversy.
Hundreds of Brophy students entered the pool, but only one person correctly selected the Final Four. His name in the pool is “MrChile0821.”
All Brophy students were supposed to use their Brophy email for their username. So the question is: Who is MrChile0821?
Diego Maloney ’14 came forward as the man known as Mr. Chile.
Maloney, having held the first place position for the entire tournament leading up to the Final Four, knew that he had to come forward and reveal his true identity.
Maloney went to Mr. Pete Burr ’07, the Digital Media Manager and teacher in charge of the March Madness bracket, and asked if he would still be able to win the bracket even though he did not use his real name.
Mr. Burr, who was also curious who the real Mr. Chile was, was understanding of this mistake and allowed Maloney to still be eligible for victory.
“I was not disqualified. I talked to Mr. Burr and he gave me a hard time about the name issue, jokingly, and then he said it wouldn’t be a problem,” Maloney said.
Some students thought that Mr. Burr’s decision to allow Maloney to still be eligible was a mistake because he did not follow the proper protocol.
“I personally don’t think it is fair to allow him to remain in the pool,” said Chase McQueen ’14.
Despite some objection Maloney walked away as one of this year’s top finishers.
As for how Maloney made his choices, he said that it was purely logic and strategy.
“Kentucky is Kentucky, simple as that,” Maloney said. “They are unstoppable. Ohio State has Jared Sullinger and Aaron Craft, and other solid starters that get the job done. They are on fire right now and will give Kentucky a run for their money in the National Championship. Kansas has Thomas Robinson and Tyshawn Taylor; Kansas is strong but not strong enough to win a national title, they are too spotty as a team. Louisville has Kyle Kuric, the Senior who makes others better and then there is Peyton Siva, the next Derrick Rose. Without Peyton Siva they would have been blown away by Michigan St. and Draymond Green in the Sweet Sixteen.”
Maloney is a fan of college basketball and said he follows the sport quite religiously.
“I follow college basketball a lot actually. So, it was all strategy. Aside from being the only Brophy kid that picked the Final Four right this year, I also picked last year’s national champion, UConn,” Maloney said.
Maloney placed fifth in the end with 103 points. The winner, Austin McHenry ’12, edged him out in the end with 109 points.