Get Ready For The Glory And Majesty That Is The 'Name Of The Year' tournament

It's like waking up the morning before the NCAA Basketball Tournament and discovering that your favorite team has lost its eligibility (*cough* Hoosiers! *cough*). That was my reaction when I found out this morning that Brian Suksomwong has been booted from the prestigious Name of the Year competition over at the blog of the same name. The NOTY committee has their reasons, but rest assured that they will hear from our attorneys. Also, SAVE BRIAN SUKSOMWONG T-shirts are currently being loomed. But we're stopping short of calling for an actual boycott, because, in these dangerous and uncertain times, America wants and needs Name of the Year. And this year more than any other, it truly is anyone's to win.

Now it's up to you. Print the ballot. Fill it out. Argue the merits of No. 1 seeds Destiny Frankenstein, Steeve Ho You Fat, Fabio Assalone and Reprobatus Bibbs. Debate whether Dom Perignon Champagne was robbed with a No. 12 seed or whether No. 5 Baffelly Woo can take out No. 4 Poony Poon in an inevitable second-round matchup. Start a pool. If you want, send us your Final Fours.

I think that you'll find this an excellent tuneup for your NCAA Tournament pool. I've already printed out my bracket and done my research. My sleeper pick to reach the Final Four? Gasoline Hunter, who is a No. 14 seed in the Crotchtangle Regional. Wacky, and topical. Good luck, everyone!

2008 NOTY First Round: No. 1 Destiny Frankenstein v. No. 16 Maurkice Pouncey [Name of the Year] The Growing Legend Of Brian Suksomwong [Deadspin]