The Slice #27

What's up pizza people?!? This is The Slice, the newsletter with more action than the betting line on a 12 seed. This week, we're talking MARCH MADNESS!

ONE SHINING MOMENT

When the calendar turns to March, you know that magical season is almost upon us - IT'S TOURNEY TIME, BABY! We are beyond psyched to watch an obscene amount of college basketball for three straight weeks and enjoy all the upsets and buzzer beaters. The only guarantee is that nothing is guaranteed - no team is safe, and plenty of your predicitions will probably be wrong. Things are wide open again this year, but there are a few teams that have risen to the top, and probably have the best chances of taking the whole thing. We talk about a lot of different topics on The Slice, but at the end of the day, this is a newsletter about pizza, so... we're comparing the top teams to pizza toppings!

Kansas: If the Jayhawks were a pizza topping, they would be... pepperoni! Both are the bluest of bluebloods, respected by pretty much everyone. The defending champs are one of the most vaunted programs in the history of the sport, and pepperoni is probably the most universally agreeable pizza topping. Rock Chalk Jayhawk!

Purdue: If the Boilermakers were a pizza topping, they would be... sausage! The Big Ten champs are powerful, but like a sausage pizza, they're very reliant on one ingredient. Good or bad sausage can make or break a pizza, and whether Zach Edey can stay out of foul trouble will go a long way toward determining how successful the Boilermakers are this March.

Alabama: If the Crimson Tide were a pizza topping, they would be... pineapple! Much like the most divisive pizza topping, the SEC champs have been at the center of plenty of controversy this year. Can they overcome all the distractions and go all the way? Does anyone (aside from their diehard fans) actually want them to? We'll find out!

UCLA: If the Bruins were a pizza topping, they would be... anchovies! Like anchovies, they may not be for everyone, but they used to be huge, and they're trying to come all the way back to the big time. Can the Bruins return to glory?

Houston: If the Cougars were a pizza topping, they would be... white sauce! The former home of Phi Slama Jama is back in a big way, but much like a nice cream-based sauce, they probably don't get the respect they deserve. They're out to prove themselves this year - can they cut down the nets?

ON A WING AND A PRAYER

Every year, you're bound to have at least one amazing buzzer-beater - it's tradition! Some of our personal favorites are Bryce Drew for Valpo, Kris Jenkins to win it all for Nova, NIU from halfcourt to beat Texas, and who can forget when Gordon Hayward was this close to hitting a half-court bomb to win it all. Our least favorite buzzer-beater is definitely Christian Laettner to beat Kentucky - this is an anti-Duke newsletter. To help you celebrate the buzzer beaters, and all the other amazing things that make up March Madness, we're running a sweet deal all month long. For the entire month of March, order our amazing chicken wings for takeout or delivery, and use code WINGANDAPRAYER for 15% off! We've been working hard on these wings, and we can't wait for you to try them - just don't choke when one of those buzzer-beaters inevitably goes in! And if you're paying us a visit in person, keep an eye out for some other awesome specials - think Big Mac Croquettes and Loaded Fries!

GOODBYE FRIENDS

Jim Nantz is a national treasure. The dulcid tones of his velvety voice have soundtracked some of the most memorable sports moments of our generation, from Tiger at the Masters, to NFL games, to plenty of tourney upsets and buzzer-beaters. Unfortunately, this will be his last year as the voice of March Madness, so let's pour one out for Big Jim!

BRACKET BUSTERS

Speaking of March Madness... we love it so much at Merriment Social that we put our own bracket together! Merriment Madness pits 8 of our favorite local breweries and their chosen charities against one another. The goal? Create the best, most unique burger, and win as much money as possible for awesome local charities! We'll be releasing the bracket soon, so keep an eye on our Instagram for more details!

REFERRAL

Tell your friends about The Slice! We're dishing out sick rewards for different referral milestones - spread the word to earn some sweet swag!

THAT BRACKET MEME

EVERY GODDAMN YEAR

That's a wrap for today - see ya next week!

Keep it cheesy,

Andrew "Hot Sauce" Miller | Joe "Doughboy" Lowery | Kelsey "Slice Slice Baby" Herrera