Closest to the Pin Recap

The Closest to the Pin Contest returned for its seventh season in December and covered Villanova's nine home conference games plus its January 29 out-of-conference game vs. Virginia at Wells Fargo Center.

In addition to the prize awarded to the contestant earning the most points over the ten-game contest, a contribution of $5 will be made to Villanova Men's Basketball for each prediction posted, up to a maximum $500 per game and $5,000 for the Contest.

SB Nation has no responsibility for this aspect of the contest; the contribution will be funded entirely by the VUHoops staff., and was a cumulative competition consisting of the home BIG EAST games.

Our past Champions are:

• 2015-16 Season: The Arch
• 2014-15 Season: drpainosaurus
• 2013-14 Season: PacADAM
• 2011-12 Season: Dom & Scott0220 (Tie)
• 2010-11 Season: Regred
• 2009-10 Season: Andy'06

Contestants predict the final score prior to tip-off of each game. Points will be awarded to the three contestants with the smallest absolute difference between their predicted scores and the actual final score of the game without regard to whether the contestant correctly picked the winning team. The contestant coming closest to the final score earns three (3) points, second closest earns two (2) points and third closest earns one (1) point. If the player with the most accurate prediction picks the score exactly (i.e., a "Hole-in-One"), he or she earns three (3) bonus points (i.e., 6 points in total). There can be more than three contestants earning points in the event of one or more ties.

The contestant accumulating the most points over the ten-game contest will win bragging rights as this season's best prognosticator among the VUHoops.com faithful, plus a $50 gift certificate from Fanatics.com that can be used toward the purchase of Villanova gear.

About Our 2016-17 Champion: Thhe Shakes played only one round but picked the exact final score, which earned him six points. We caught up with him last week and learned a little bit about how he pulled that off.

Ed: What inspired you to play that round against Georgetown?

Thhe Shakes: "I read VUHoops.com every day (usually multiple times a day) but don't post very often. I just like learning and hearing other people's stories. But man, the Georgetown rivalry just gets me so fired up I had to comment!"

Ed: How did you pick the winning score?

Thhe Shakes: "I was going to write 75-66, but decided, hey it's Georgetown. We've got to win by double digits."

Ed: Why didn't you play in other rounds to increase your chances of winning the 1st place prize?

Thhe Shakes: "I actually never thought to look at the standings. If I realized I had jumped into first I would have tried again against Butler and Creighton!"

Ed: How did you pick your handle "Thhe Shakes"?

Thhe Shakes: "Shakes was my nickname when I was in the band at Nova. It stuck since day one. I think more people remember that than my real name."

Ed: How did you wind up at your current address in Wichita, Kansas?

Thhe Shakes: "I joined the Air Force after I left Villanova, which brought me to Wichita. Now I work at the Hopping Gnome Brewery and am attending Wichita State. I'd love to see my current and former schools match up against each other in March!"

Contestants Tied for Second Place: Esteban d'Amur, jkolod01, johnpaul99, nynovascott

Players Earning Points in Multiple Rounds:

• Earned Points in 3 Rounds: RJG09
• Earned Points in 2 Rounds: Esteban d'Amur, jkolod01, johnpaul99, nynovascott, A35Blaze, NovaFlyer, RamonUsategui, jwscones, PokerChris, Steve92, Will Schreefer, and Larry1965

Best Performance of the VUHoops Crowd:

Georgetown Game: Crowd predicted a 81-66 victory; actual score was 75-64.

Worst Performance of the VUHoops Crowd:

Marquette Game: Crowd predicted a 79-66 victory; actual score was 93-81.

Money Raised for Villanova Men's Basketball:

Contestants posted 683 predictions over the ten rounds of the contest, raising $3,415. A contribution was made last week in that amount; proof of payment provided below.

Rule Changes Planned for the 2017-18 Contest:

Next year, one bonus point will be awarded for each contestant whose prediction falls within 1-5 points of the actual final score. Contestants picking the score exactly will be awarded three bonus points.

Thanks to everyone who played in this year's contest. See you next year!