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Joe Bline Award 2024
Over the years, March Madness in the Bell Family always begins with a draft party. This year, the draft was again held at the awesome home of Joe and Peggy. Another good turnout as only a couple owners could not make the draft and dialed in. Those in attendance were able to partake in some camaraderie, pizza, and beverages.
In The Beginning.....
The Inaugural Madness drawing was in 1991. During the '91 draft, Joe Bline won one game in the first round and left the tourney with a record of "one and done." The Horse's Ass Award was born. Since then the top honors have eluded Joe Bline--until 2019. Today the recipient of the Joe Bline Award exemplifies ineffective prognostication during the March Madness draft.
2024 Magic 8-Ball predictions from J. P.
‘Participation’ Awards - Ted/Josh, Rob/Tim, Bline
Joe Bline Award - Jack/Dave
Final four participants - Chris (Houston), Matt/Mike (UCONN), Joe/Robert (Tenn), Dan/Nick (Arizona)
Championship - Arizona vs Tennessee
Champ - Arizona
Points winner - Matt/Mike
2023 in review
Josh and Ted had an unprecedented (Most Wins) record of 19-7 and steam rolled the entire field this year. More impressive is that they had three of four teams in the Final Four--Joe Bell had the Midwest entry with Miami. In the end they played themselves before UConn defeated San Diego State to win the Madness. They dominated every bracket except the Midwest. The bar has been raised.
Chris had a record of 4-8 to win the 2023 Horse's Ass Award. Made it to the Sweet 16 with Xavier before bowing out to accept his prestigious award. Five of his eight teams never made it out of the first round.
Special Thanks to The Stat Master - Joe Bell - for the following statistics
History of the Winners in March Madness
1991 - Tim Bell - Duke
1992 - John Bell - Duke
1993 - Joe Bell - North Carolina
1994 - Rob Erney - Arkansas
1995 - Ted Marquis - UCLA
1996 - Jack Bell - Kentucky
1997 - John Bell - Arizona
1998 - Joe Bell - Kentucky
1999 - Ted Marquis - Connecticut
2000 - Tim Bell- Michigan State
2001 - Joe Bell - Duke
2002 - Tim Bell/Dan Bell - Maryland
2003 - Chris Bell - Syracuse
2004 - John Bell - Connecticut
2005 - Chris Bell - North Carolina
2006 - Rob Erney/Tim Erney - Florida
2007 - Jack Bell - Florida
2008 - Chris Bell - Kansas
2009 - Jack Bell - North Carolina
2010 - Rob Erney/Tim Erney - Duke
2011 - Jack Bell/Dave Bell - Connecticut
2012 - Jack Bell/Dave Bell - Kentucky
2013 - Matt Erney/Mike Erney - Louisville
2014 - Joe Bell/Robert Bell - Connecticut
2015 - Rob Erney/Tim Erney - Duke
2016 - Dan Bell/Nick Bell - Villanova
2017 - Dan Bell/Nick Bell - North Carolina
2018 - Matt Erney/Mike Erney Villanova
2019 - Joe Bline - Virginia
2020 - Coronavirus
2021 - Matt Erney /Mike Erney - Baylor
2022 - Joe Bline - Kansas
2023 - Ted and Josh - U Conn
History of the Joe Bline Award Winners (least wins)
1999 - Joe Bline (1)
2000 -
2001 -
2002 -
2003 -
2004 - Dan Bell/Tim Bell (3)
2005 - Dan Bell/Tim Bell (5)
2006 - Chris Bell (3)
2007 - Dan Bell/Tim Bell (4)
2008 - Joe Bell (4)
2009 - Chris Bell (6)
2010 - Joe Bell (3)
2011 - Ted Marquis (3)
2012 - Ted Marquis (2)
2013 - Tim Bell/Dan Bell (4)
2014 - Ted Marquis (3)
2015 - Jack Bell/Dave Bell (5)
2016 - Joe Bline (2)
2017 - Chris Bell (2)
2018 - Josh Bell/Ted Marquis (3)
2019 - Mike Erney/Matt Erney (6)
2020 - COVID
2021 - Jack Bell/Dave Bell (4)
2022 - Josh Bell/Ted Marquis (1)
2023 - Chris Bell (4)
Interesting Nuggets
Tim Bell (Dan Bell, Nick Bell) - 1991 - 2000 - 2002 - 2016 - 2017 - Claims to fame: Inaugural Champs; Longest consecutive Joe Bline Winner (3 years)
John Bell - 1992 - 1997 - 2004 - Claim to fame: Last 2nd replacement in 1992; attended championship game in 1997
Joe Bell (Robert Bell) - 1993 - 1998 - 2001 - Claims to fame: Stole N. Carolina before Bline in 1993. Three-time Joe Bline Award Winner; In 2011 put #6 pick in the Final Four (10 points)
Rob Erney (Tim Erney) - 1994 - 2006 - 2010 - Won with Arkansas-really. Rooted for Florida against Ohio State in New Orleans.
Ted Marquis - 1995 - 1999 - Claim to fame - Reigning Joe Bline Award Winner. UCLA's Tyrus Edney hits buzzer beater in Round 1 then wins tourney.
Jack Bell (Dave Bell) - 1996 - 2007 - 2009 - 2011 - Claim to Fame: Stole Kentucky from Joe Bell in 1996. Had 14 points in 2011.
Chris Bell - 2003 - 2005 - 2008 - Claim to Fame: Late bloomer 1st win took 13 years. 2008 showdown/meltdown with Joe Bline's Memphis. Took out UNLV's undefeated Pro team.
Joe Bline - 2019 First Championship wins (1-27). 1 point in 1999... vintage performance leads to annual Joe Bline Award. 7 first round wins in 1994.
Historical Brackets
Clink on one of the links below to view past results.
2023 - 2022 - 2021 - 2019 - 2018 - 2017 - 2016 - 2015 - 2014
2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009 - 2008 - 2007 - 2006 - 2005 - 2004