The purest month of the year, as far as sports is concerned, is back again. As usual, it has returned just as quickly as its departure.
I am referring, of course, to the month of March. This is where all of the madness begins. This is the time of year when 64 college basketball teams battle each other for the prestigious NCAA championship trophy.
It is a basketball fan’s paradise. There is nothing like watching a game take place with numerous updates about other games happening simultaneously.
Both the desire and love for the game are displayed through the fans, the bands, the coaches and especially the players. I am by no means taking anything away from professional ballplayers, but collegiate athletes represent the honesty of hard work and dedication.
Think about it. Outside of the players who sometime receive illegal grades and luxury gifts from the universities, these guys work hard and battle through a rigorous season all for the love of the game.
I am certain that any honest collegiate athlete can identify with this article.
The most intriguing thing about March Madness is the “sudden death” realization. The winner advances; the loser contemplates next year.
I believe March Madness holds so much value simply because it has a “true” champion in the end.
Unlike the “Bowl Champion Series” in college football, this tournament leaves no question as to who is the real champion.
Granted, March Madness does have its flaws. For instance, schools with smaller student populations are often snubbed a chance to participate in favor of bigger schools.
Despite that, these teams still hold some hope to make the tournament by way of winning their respective conferences. They travel down a much harder road, but at least they have a shot.
March Madness caters to the subconscious “upset” hopes that we, as fans, have.
There is nothing like seeing David defeat Goliath. The fact that a smaller team has the equal opportunity to knock off a powerhouse team makes March Madness so interesting.
How many times have we seen heavily favored teams bite the dust? It happens all the time. It is “free for all” basketball. No one is exempt from the “upset” bug.
March Madness has it all. Who can resist the half-court miracle shots, the buzzer beaters, the inevitable comebacks, the “Cinderella” teams and most of all, Dick Vitale?
March Madness supersedes any other time of the year in sports. It will continue to hold that title, only until the Saints win the Super Bowl. But that is my opinion.
I cannot imagine the excitement that these male and female basketball players must be feeling at this time of the year. To realize that their play will be televised nationally for as long as they can manage has to be extremely exhilarating.
Although Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady, Kevin Garnett and others chose to forego their collegiate careers and are financially secure, they cannot put a price on the feeling of having participating in March Madness.
The contrasting emotions between a winning and losing team show just how badly they want it.
Who knows? Maybe March Madness will again feature a Colonels team like it did in 1997. Obviously, we lost that game to the champion Arizona Wildcats, but who honestly expected us to get there?
That is what this March Madness is all about: The ability to make dreams come true.
To the wives and girlfriends of basketball fanatics: do not take personal the lack of attention that your significant other may be giving you. Give them a break. March Madness is here!