What’s in a name: Puns infiltrate Hoopfest 2017

“Chicken Noodle Hoop,” “Baskets N Gravy,” and “Kareem Puffs” are on the menu, or brackets, for Hoopfest this year.

Picking a team name is a necessity that is both loved and dreaded, both embraced and evaded.

Some teams labor to find the perfect Star Wars pun: this year, you’ve got your “Princess Lei ups,” “Kobe Wan Kenobies,” “Chewblockas,” and “Stormhoopers.”

While others give up in defeat: “cool name pending” and “Enter Team Name Here.”

Watch coffee-fueled teams “Dunk n go nuts.”

If “Swish Cheese” melts down under rising temperatures, ship their remains over to “Ham and Swish” for the perfect panini.

Stay tuned to see if “Swish N Chips” gets served up on a platter with “Swedish Swish” for dessert.

And if you’re still hungry afterward, you can always dip into “Chicken McBuckets.”

Among the wonderful and cringeworthy team names inspired by food, there’s an alarming quantity of “sauce” related puns.

A respectable 12 teams announced their opinions on sauce. A heated match between “Extra Sauce” and “No Sauce” may get spicy.

In other news, stop by to watch “Bed Bath and Beyonce” get in Formation and Run the World.

A few more gems:

Boaty McBoatface

When a British agency turned to the Internet to suggest names for a new research vessel, Boaty McBoatface was the overwhelming winner. While the British ship may not have obtained this name, at least the people’s voice lives on in the Adult Male Division of Hoopfest 2017.

Karnowski’s Beard

The beard on this former Gonzaga Basketball player is legendary. Spokane’s mayor, city council president, and NAACP president were three of fourteen people photographed wearing a mock-Karnowski beard in the days leading up to the 2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championships.

With any luck, the Kobe Wan Kenobies will meet Karnowski’s Beard.

Hoops I did it again

Britney would be proud of Hoopfest’s High School Female Division.

Hoop There It Is

Shoot Hoops Not Guns

Gun safety, everyone. Gotta have a political statement.

Remember kids, “Shoot Hoops Not Guns.”