No other region in this year's bracket may be more evenly matched than the East. There are multiple Humans (3), Bears (3), Tigers (2), Dogs (2), Birds (2) and one very large, always pissed-off Longhorn.

But just like in all sports, Mascot Duel To The Death isn't just about sheer strength. It takes skill, cunning, experience, a great corner man and desire.

And weapons don't hurt, either.

***

EAST REGION

First Round Matchups:

KENTUCKY-EAST TENNESSEE STATE

Well, folks, we've got all 10 qualifiers in for the $1,100 contest at Tavern on March 24.

In Week 10, Sarah got into the fold on her fifth try. It was easily her best performance of the five, and -- like the other nine qualifiers -- she's very deserving of her spot.

All the contestants have eight days to prep for their two-song performance. No doubt about it, these 10 will provide one heck of a night for the rest of us. No ear bleeding.

Time for our next round of gouging, slashing, clubbing and stabbing. No, it's not a night at Tiger Woods' house. It's the Mascot Duel To The Death.

With the first two rounds of the Midwest Region out of the way, it's time to look at the West. This part of the bracket presents some interesting matchups with some first-timers.

Will experience overtake pure passion?

WEST REGION

First Round Matchups:

SYRACUSE-VERMONT

Want to know who to pick in your brackets? You can look at records and top players and stats galore.

But if you want real answers, this is the place to look. Starting today, IanGuerin.com is releasing all of its picks for the Second Annual Mascot Duel to the Death. Because, honestly, who doesn't want to figure out which mascot could mame another...

We'll start in the Midwest Region:

MIDWEST REGION

First Round Matchups:

KANSAS-LEHIGH

March Madness means basketball and brackets. Well, here at IanGuerin.com, it also means mascots beating the tar out of each other.

Last year, I unveiled by Mascot Duel to the Death brackets. They remain some of the most-read posts this site has ever known. They were linked around the Interwebs and I had heard more feedback than anything I've ever written.

Because of that popularity, Year Two was a no-brainer.

Next week, I'll break down every region of the NCAA Tournament for your continued enjoyment.

No pics from Week Nine -- primarily because the number of contestants this week was so light.

But a hearty Congrats to Miriam, who qualified in her seventh chance. She'll be joining the other eight (and soon to be nine) for the $1,100 finals on March 24.

Don't forget, we've got one more week of qualifying. That will take place on Wednesday. We'll take a week off for St. Patty's Day, then pack Tavern on March 24 and give away some cash.

Sorry, kids. No pics this week.

Yours truly forgot to bring a camera to the eighth week of qualifying for the karaoke contest at Tavern. (I'll try to make it up with extras next week.)

Still, I wanted to make sure I let everyone know that Rachel earned herself a trip to the March 24 finals. She joins seven others, as well as the two who have yet to qualify.

Remember: We've got two weeks of qualifying left.

We're just about one month away from the Tavern in the Forest karaoke finals. And that means competition for the last few spots is certainly heating up.

During Week Seven, we had eight people attempting to qualify.

That trend will surely continue this week (which is one of the final three) and the subsequent weeks. 

REMEMBER: If you're gonna give it a shot, make sure you're there early. Asking to sign up at 10:15 isn't going to cut it.

Here's a few pics from last Wednesday.

***

At least one of my editors enjoyed a flashback enough to let me put it into print.

Today, Weekly Surge published a story I did on the Coastal Rugby club team. And because my first immersion into the sport is still my most influential memory, I decided to include it.

Take a look.

Another week, another invite to the March 24th Karaoke Contest finals at Tavern in the Forest.

This week, we saw Demi walk away from a very small group of contestants.

Next Wednesday, we'll get into Week Seven, and this is where it will start to get interesting. History with other contests tells us singers who have been showing up (and those who haven't) will likely start flocking in to the contest in order to grab one of the last four spots in the March 24th finals.

When you dangle $1,100 in front of people, they want to get in the action.