2008 Hoops Madness Contest Official Rules

1. Object of Hoops Madness is to amass as many of the available 1,680 points as you can.

2. Use school names to select a winner of the eight first-round games in each of the four regions. Then, moving across the brackets, continue projecting winners. Earn points as designated.

3. The contestant with the most correct answers, if eligible, will receive the prizes detailed below.

4. To be eligible for the prizes, you must be a current resident within the state of Arizona and be at least 18 (eighteen) years of age. You do not need to be eligible for the prizes to participate in the contest. The Hoops Madness system automatically determines eligibility. If you are flagged by the system as not eligible but are within the eligibility requirements, you have until the day of the Championship game to notify Tucson.com (by email: sales@tucson.com or phone 520-618-7833). No appeal or protest will be heard thereafter and all judges' decisions are final.

5. The potential top score of 1,680 points are awarded as follows: Round of 32: 320 points (10 points per team); Super Sixteen: 320 points (20 points per team); Elegant Eight: 320 points (40 points per team); Fierce Four: 320 points (80 points per team); Semi-Final: 240 points (120 points per team); Championship: 160 points.

6. Deadline to enter contest is March 20, 2008 at 12:01 AM MST (Tucson, AZ time).

7. Should a tie for a prize exist based on total score, ties will be broken by the score for each round, starting with the sixth round (championship) and working back to the first round (round of 32). If no winner emerges, a drawing will be held among those still tied, and one winner given the prize.

8. This contest is void where prohibited, and is not valid in NY, Puerto Rico , or FL.

9. Entering the 2008 Hoops Madness contest constitutes contestant's acceptance of all rules and permission by contestant for his/her name and photograph to be used at no charge for reasonable news and promotional purposes.

10. Contestants must be at least 13 (thirteen) years of age by March 20, 2008 at 12:01 AM MST (Tucson, AZ time), in order to participate. Contestants under the age of 18(eighteen) years of age are not eligible for prizes.

11. One entry per person. Group entries, "systems" or other attempts to enter multiple entries will be disqualified. Filling out extra entries, then putting your friends' and relatives' names on them violates this rule. Any such entries will be destroyed before grading. In this and all other matters, decisions of the judges are final.

12. No purchase required.

13. Employees of Tucson Newspapers, the Arizona Daily Star, and the Tucson Citizen and their immediate families are ineligible to participate.

14. No points are awarded in case any game is not played for any reason.

15. Representatives of Tucson Newspapers, Arizona Daily Star, Tucson Citizen are not responsible for any claims, liabilities or damages in conjunction with the prizes and/or services of this contest or from any activity related to depositing of entries. Entrants assume all liabilities.

16. Only one means of appealing judges' decisions exists: On April 8, 2008 at 12:01 AM MST (Tucson, AZ time), winning scores will be announced at the following web site: http://www.tucson.com. If you think you have a better score than the announced winning score, you have until April 9, 2008 at 12:01 AM MST (Tucson, AZ time), to notify Tucson.com (by email: sales@tucson.com or phone 520-618-7833). No appeal or protest will be heard thereafter and judges' decisions at that time are final.