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Wine and Barbecue Sauce on the Line for Final Four Game

McMorris Rodgers and Wilson have a friendly wager on Gonzaga-South Carolina game

Republican Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington and Joe Wilson of South Carolina made a friendly wager ahead of Saturday’s NCAA men’s basketball Final Four game between Gonzaga University and the University of South Carolina.

The two lawmakers announced their bet on Facebook Live on Thursday.

If Gonzaga wins, Wilson owes McMorris Rodgers a jar of Shealy’s Bar-B-Que Sauce from South Carolina.

“In the rare event that we have to do this,” the congressman said, noting that the sauce is mustard-based.

[Roll Call’s NCAA March Madness Bracket]

If South Carolina wins, McMorris Rodgers owes Wilson a bottle of Canoe Ridge wine from eastern Washington.

“Proud to represent the Gonzaga Bulldogs,” the congresswoman said, donning a hat from the university. “First time for the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the Final Four, we’re very excited.”

McMorris Rodgers, the House GOP conference chairwoman, represents Washington’s 5th District in which the school is located.

[Manchin and Cortez Masto Bet on NCAA Sweet 16 Game]

“I’m, first of all, grateful to be here with Cathy McMorris Rodgers, who is the leader of the Republican conference, who is just so beloved. And this is the first time I’ve really had a disagreement with her,” Wilson said.

While the school is not in Wilson’s 2nd District (it’s in Democrat James E. Clyburn’s), he received his law degree from there. In the video, he was holding a South Carolina Gamecocks hat.

“Joe is a good friend … but I do have to say, Go Zags!” McMorris Rodgers said.

Saturday’s game is also the Gamecocks’ first Final Four appearance. Tipoff is at 6:09 p.m., Eastern time, in Phoenix. 

Wilson is also betting on the Gamecocks against California Democrat Ted Lieu in the NCAA women’s basketball tournament. South Carolina plays Stanford University in the Final Four on Friday at 7:30 p.m., Eastern time, in Dallas.

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