The wager on the men’s NCAA championship worked out pretty well for Gov. Dannel Malloy, who is waiting on a fully stocked bourbon bar from the Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear. It also worked out for the rest of the local officials who made bets with their counterparts.
Now, more bets are on for the women's championship game:
Governors
Now, he’s making a wager with Indiana Gov. Mike Pence on the outcome of tonight’s UConn and Notre Dame NCAA Women’s National Championship game.
Gov. Malloy is betting a basket of Connecticut-Grown agricultural products from farms around the state that the Huskies will claim victory, while Gov. Pence is wagering Hoosier agricultural products that the Fighting Irish will take the title.
“The undefeated UConn women’s basketball team has gained national attention and inspired thousands of young basketball players in our state,” Malloy said. “They’ve taken eight national championship titles in the past, and I am confident that a ninth trophy will be brought home to Storrs tonight. With a victory by the men last night, we are just one step away from winning titles in both tournaments for the second time – something no other school has accomplished.”
Gov. Pence is standing by his own team, which has an undefeated record and three appearances in the championship game in the last four years.
“While the UConn Huskies are a tough opponent, the Irish have the full support of Hoosiers across the state of Indiana, and we’re confident they’ll come out ahead,” Pence said.
Tip-off for tonight’s championship game is at 8:30 p.m. at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.
U.S. Senators
Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy made a wager with Indiana Senators Dan Coats and Joe Donnelly.
Blumenthal and Murphy bet Jonathan Java Crunch UConn Dairy Bar ice cream and Stew Leonard’s brownies on the Connecticut women's team.
Coats and Donnelly have staked a basket of goods from South Bend Chocolate Co. on the Fighting Irish.
“UConn women are rolling with unstoppable momentum," Blumenthal said. “The men’s triumph last night will be capped by another women’s undefeated season and national championship. These are teams that have supported each other all year and will share the distinction of being only the second basketball teams from the same university to win national championships in the same year. The other set of teams to do so? UConn - 2004. Saving room for South Bend chocolate.”
“Connecticut is electrified after last night’s huge win, and we’re fired up to watch the Huskies take the court again during tonight’s championship game,” Murphy said. “These women have played their hearts out this season and they deserve a win. I know Coach Auriemma and the rest of the team will bring home the trophy this year, and I’m looking forward to enjoying the chocolate that Senators Coats and Donnelly will be bringing to my office tomorrow after the game. It should pair nicely with the Kentucky pies we won last night!”
Attorney General
Attorney General George Jepsen and Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller also placed a wager.
Jepsen is offering Connecticut wine, hoping to make the outcome in Nashville a little easier for his Indiana counterpart to swallow. Zoeller countered with Indiana made beer and a Notre Dame mug.
“There’s no question that the Fighting Irish are flying high after a double digit victory over Maryland. But the Notre Dame women are going to need more than luck to stop Breanna Stewart and keep the UConn Huskies from winning their ninth national title,” Jepsen said.
“I welcome this friendly wager and look forward to the Fighting Irish’s win over the Connecticut Huskies,” said Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller. “I am offering up a case of an Indiana made beer, perfectly paired to go with ‘crow,’ and a Notre Dame mug to help ease the agony of defeat.”
