The Madness claimed the brackets of the Blogger and nearly 100 other entrants, but 12 players managed to Beat the Blogger and survive the first cut and advance in the March Madness edition of Beat The Blogger.

The Blogger picked 24 of the 32 matchups correctly but it wasn't enough to hang with the leaders. "Sunshine" leads the way after correctly picking 28 of the 32 first-round matchups, with Bobby W and Michael M. close behind with 27 and nine others correctly picked 26 of the 32 matchups to remain in the running for the $500 prize package. The matchups for the next round (Sweet 16) will be posted on (Wednesday) March 25 so if you see your name listed in the Top 11 below, congratulations, you're moving on to the next round so make sure you get your picks posted a 1/2 hour before the start of the games on Thursday (March 26) to remain eligible for the $500 prize package. Those advancing should pick the winners of the Sweet 16 matchups and the Elite 8 (Games played on Thursday and Friday and then Saturday and Sunday as well). The Top 5 ( cummulative total including first round, plus ties will then advance to the next round). For the rest of you, thanks for playing and make sure you jump back in to our regular Beat The Blogger contest which will return in on April 8.

Players Advancing to Sweet 16
1. Sunshine (sunshinebald) 28
2. Bobby W. (Bcabbagehead) 27
3. Michael M. (mtmahnke) 27
4. Peter (pduthoy) 26
5. Kenn F. (kenn.fritts) 26
6. Julie (juhagen) 26
7. Pete H. (pfnh8) 26
8. Ripper (rippers) 26
9. Steve (steve) 26
10. Danielle (d_plays_d) 26
11. Sean (seandickerson) 26
12. William (wgareaujr) 26

The special March Madness edition Beat The Blogger contest matchups will be posted on Tuesday (March 17). There will be 32 NCAA Tournament matchups for you to pick with the Top-10 highest scorers (plus ties) advancing to the following week. The Top-10 will then select the winners of the Sweet 16 round and the Elite 8 Round with the Top-5 (plus ties) scorers advancing to the Final Four the following week. Once we establish the Top-2 scorers from the third round, we'll toss out a new set of 10 matchups (back to typical Beat The Blogger format) with the highest total walking away with a prize package valued at nearly $500. The runner-up will receive (3) authentic signed 8-by-10 photos. Those qualifying for the second and third rounds will be notified via e-mail so if you're not qualified enjoy the extra free time and get ready for the return of the regular weekly Beat The Blogger contest April 8.

The March Madness Beat the Blogger contest will run for three weeks and the regular weekly Beat The Blogger contest will resume on the week of April 8 so make sure you among the top-scoring teams so you can keep playing each week. The contestants who advance will be posted on March 16, March 24 and April 1 with the grand prize winner announced on April 8. Good luck to everyone and make sure you spread the word about the contest to your friends. There's no easier way to win great, authentic signed sports memorabilia anywhere.