March 17, 2011
March Madness and the Evrit Eight
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The real March madness is thousands of Jewish high school seniors waiting to hear about college acceptance. And then what if they are accepted by more than one? How to decide? Since statistics show they favor certain schools, to aid their choices and soothe their jitters why not carve out a “J” Division to the 2011 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament from the 68 teams already playing in it?
Based on “Hillel’s Guide to Jewish Life on Campus” which includes the estimated total of Jewish student population at each school, an “Evrit 8” could even be bracketed: Tournament teams with the highest Jewish student enrollment. The finalists would include some tournament regulars, some who are highly ranked, and even a Cinderella.
Here’s the J Division’s
Evrit 8
1. University of Florida 8500
2. Penn State 5500
3. University of Michigan 6500*
4. Penn State 5500
5. Wisconsin 5000
6. University of Texas at Austin 4800
7. Florida State 3814
8. Ohio State 3550
On the Bubble, a tie between UCLA, Michigan State, USC—3500
Cinderella—Xavier with 45**
See ya next year—Wofford 15, BYU 0
Unfortunately no one is currently tabulating each college’s JS scoring percentage (Jewish Spouse). Maybe in June.
* If the colleges were ranked by Jewish Studies courses, Michigan would be the easy winner with around 90, and Wisconsin at #2 with around 70.
**An historically Black college that in the 1930’s hired Jewish professors who were escaping Nazi Europe.
