by Tracy McCue, Sumner Newscow — With 59 brackets in the first annual Pig Shack/Sumner Newscow Bracketbuster Challenge – there is little certainty amongst the participants. But there is this one undeniable fact…

No one had Florida Gulf Coast in the Sweet 16 or Wichita State battling La Salle in the Sweet 16 matchup.

After the first week of games, there is little separation between the current top bracket in the Pig Shack/Sumner Newscow contest and the majority of the others. In fact 36 brackets are within 10 points of the leader. 

There is a lot more points to be accumulated before someone lands $200 in cold cash thanks to Pig Shack Barbecue on 1102 North A Street. The second and third prize winners will get $50 and $25 gift certificates respectively.

Currently a bracket called “Jordan’s Bracket” is leading the field with 48 points out of a possible 64. Jordan accumulated 22 out of a possible 32 on the first round of the contest (Thursday and Friday) and 26 out of 32 in the second round of the contest (Saturday and Sunday). Four other brackets are close behind with 46.

The top 10 point totals combining the mail in and the online brackets are as follows:

1. Jordan’s Finest Bracket – 48.

2. Bradley’s Best – 46.

2. Scott’s Super Bracket – 46.

2. Robin’s Crazy Bracket – 46.

2. Richard Townsend – 46.

6. Tanner Ford – 45.

6. Cody White – 45.

6. Justin Norris – 45.

6. Payton Baker – 45.

Again, only two rounds have been played with four rounds to go so the changes are sure to be significant.

Here’s an example of how quickly your luck can change. The current total point leader of all Yahoo.com brackets around the world is one called “Nick’s Best Bracket. Nick has 55 points.

But feel bad for this poor sap. Although he leads everyone across the world on this particular website, the only picks he has missed thus far is Florida Gulf Coast over Georgetown and Wichita State over Gonzaga.

And what two teams are playing in the national championship game of his bracket?

Gonzaga vs. Georgetown. Ouch.