March Madness: THE NATIONAL CHAMPION!!!

Well, it's been a month of thrilling victories and agonizing defeats on the long road from from the regional openers through the sweet sixteen and the final four to our final matchup between upstart 47th state New Mexico and old-school colonial Maryland; between the fifth-largest state in the union and the state with the fifth largest population density.

And for this round only, I'll do something I haven't done in all the rest of the tournament. I'll vote myself.


So here's my vote for the best flag of the U.S. States and Territories!

South Carolina

Unfortunately, all y'all didn't even let it into the Elite Eight, so I guess I'll do like everybody else and cast my vote from the choices I have available.

Maryland!

But that's just my vote!

So, with no further ado....

the winner of the March Madness U.S. States and Territories Flag Tournament is......
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New Mexico defeats Maryland, 21 - 13!!!




Congratulations to the good folks of New Mexico and thanks to everybody who played along with my goofy little project.  Here's one last look at the bracket.  Hope you had a great March!

March Madness: The National Championship Match

It's been a month of flaggy heartbreak as the field of 56 flags of U.S. States and Territories has gradually been winnowed down to two. And today, they go head to head.

Our contestants for the national title are 1) New Mexico, which took out Ohio easily in the semi-final matchup, 20-5.  2) Maryland, which survived a tough fight against Tennessee to come out on top, 14-11.

They're bright!  They're vivid!  And they're going to the mat.  Votes will be counted at 6 p.m. PDT on Wednesday, March 30.




New Mexico

Maryland

Place your votes in the comments!

March Madness: National Semifinals

March Madness: National Semifinals

The Rules: For each of the pairs of flags pitted against each other, indicate your favorite.  Explication, derision, and/or analysis will not affect the scoring, but is nevertheless encouraged.  Each winner will advance to the Final.



North and West Finals Voting Deadline: 9 a.m. PDT, Sunday, March 27.




North Champion vs. West Champion



Ohio vs. New Mexico

Ohio

New Mexico

East Champion vs. South Champion

Maryland vs. Tennessee

Maryland

Tennessee

Make your votes in the comments.

March Madness: North and West Finals!!!

March Madness: North and West Finals!!!

The Rules: For each of the pairs of flags pitted against each other, indicate your favorite.  Explication, derision, and/or analysis will not affect the scoring, but is nevertheless encouraged.  Each winner will advance to the Final.



North and West Finals Voting Deadline: 9 p.m. PDT, TOMMOROW, Wednesday, March 23.
South and East Finals Voting Deadline: 9 p.m. PDT, TODAY Tuesday, March 22.




North Final



Wyoming vs. Ohio 

Wyoming

Ohio

West Final



Alaska vs. New Mexico

Alaska

New Mexico

Make your votes in the comments.

March Madness: South and East Finals!!!

March Madness: South and East Finals!!!

The Rules: For each of the pairs of flags pitted against each other, indicate your favorite.  Explication, derision, and/or analysis will not affect the scoring, but is nevertheless encouraged.  Each winner will advance to the Final Four.

South and East Finals Voting Deadline: 9 p.m. PDT, TOMORROW, Tuesday, March 22.




East Final



Maryland vs. District of Columbia

Maryland

District of Columbia

South Final


Tennessee vs. Puerto Rico

Tennessee

Puerto Rico

Make your votes in the comments.

March Madness Semifinal Results!

East

#1 Maryland 19, #4 Massachusetts 5
#3 D.C. 18, #2 Rhode Island 6

South

#5 Tennessee 13, #1 South Carolina 11 (Upset!!)
#2 Puerto Rico 19, #3 Texas 5

North

#1 Wyoming 19, #5 Iowa 7
#2 Ohio 15, #3 Indiana 11

West

#1 Alaska 16, #4 Hawaii 10
#2 New Mexico 20, #3 Arizona 5

March Madness: North and West Semifinals

March Madness: North and West Semifinals!!!

The Rules: For each of the pairs of flags pitted against each other, indicate your favorite.  Explication, derision, and/or analysis will not affect the scoring, but is nevertheless encouraged.  Each winner will advance to the Sweet Sixteen.



North and West Semifinals Voting Deadline: 9 p.m. PDT, Sunday, March 20.
South and East Semifinals Voting Deadline: 9 p.m. PDT, Saturday, March 19.




North



Wyoming vs. Iowa

Wyoming

Iowa

Indiana vs. Ohio

Indiana

Ohio

West



Alaska vs. Hawaii

Alaska

Hawaii

Arizona vs. New Mexico

Arizona

New Mexico

Make your votes in the comments.

March Madness: South and East Semifinals

March Madness: South and East Semifinals!!!

The Rules: For each of the pairs of flags pitted against each other, indicate your favorite.  Explication, derision, and/or analysis will not affect the scoring, but is nevertheless encouraged.  Each winner will advance to the Sweet Sixteen.

South and East Semifinals Voting Deadline: 9 p.m. PDT, Saturday, March 19.




East



Maryland vs. Massachusetts

Maryland

Massachusetts

District of Columbia vs. Rhode Island

District of Columbia

Rhode Island

South



South Carolina vs. Tennessee

South Carolina

Tennessee

Texas vs. Puerto Rico

Texas

Puerto Rico

Make your votes in the comments.

March Madness: West Regional, Round 2

March Madness: Round Two of the West Regional Division of the U.S. States and Territories Flag Tournament!!!

The Bracket

The Rules: For each of the pairs of flags pitted against each other, indicate your favorite.  Explication, derision, and/or analysis will not affect the scoring, but is nevertheless encouraged.  Each winner will advance to the Sweet Sixteen.

West Regional Voting Deadline: 9 p.m. PDT, Monday, March 14.

North Regional Voting Deadline: 9 p.m. PDT, Sunday, March 13.

South Regional Voting Deadline: 9 p.m. PST, Sat., March 12.

East Regional Voting Deadline: 9 p.m. PST, TONIGHT -- Friday, March 11.

Alaska vs. Northern Marianas

Alaska

Northern Marianas

Washington vs. Hawaii

Washington

Hawaii

Arizona vs. Colorado

Arizona

Colorado

California vs. New Mexico

California

New Mexico

Make your votes in the comments.

March Madness: North Regional, Round 2

March Madness: Round Two of the North Regional Division of the U.S. States and Territories Flag Tournament!!!

The Bracket

The Rules: For each of the pairs of flags pitted against each other, indicate your favorite.  Explication, derision, and/or analysis will not affect the scoring, but is nevertheless encouraged.  Each winner will advance to the Sweet Sixteen.

North Regional Voting Deadline: 9 p.m. PDT, Sunday, March 13.

South Regional Voting Deadline: 9 p.m. PST, Sat., March 12.

East Regional Voting Deadline: 9 p.m. PST, Friday, March 11.

Wyoming vs. Michigan 

Wyoming

Michigan

Iowa vs. Missouri

Iowa

Missouri

Indiana vs. Nebraska

Indiana

Nebraska

Montana vs. Ohio

Montana

Ohio

Make your votes in the comments.