Im sorry if my title confused you into thinking summer is near but I’m not talking about those pools. It is finally hear the start of arguably the best playoff in all of sports March Madness! What makes this playoff system so special is that it has two very unique phases and the office pools that so fun to participate in that even people who hate basketball will watch it( at least until there bracket is ruined).
Phase 1: First Round Cinderella’s
The tournament format allows for anything especially since the games are played on neutral courts around the country. In the first round we see that on any given night a team can win and as a result we have seen powerhouses lose to the unknowns of the mid-major conferences. Its exciting to see these teams that are never given any air time and there players are never talked about. The best way I can describe it are the Wiggins brothers. Andrew Wiggins last years #1 pick in the NBA played for Kanas got a lot of hype and press time last season while his brother Nick Wiggins team Wichita State received little hype even though they came into the tournament undefeated. The only press time given to Nick was brief mentions that he was Andrew’s older sibling. So for those few match ups Nick Wiggins was out of the shadow of his younger brothers shadow and the spotlight was on his ability and the players that surrounded him. Its the moment many basketball players that don’t have the aspirations of a NBA career dream of. One ticket the dance with a chance to shock the world. (Thanks Mercer/Duke)
Phase 2: High Competition
Once we get past the upsets and cinderella stories of the first two round or so we are blessed with seeing the big boys of the Elite 8 and above duke it out in what for the most part is non-confrence action. This is were we get to see a Kentucky vs UNC or Wisconsin vs Syracuse or any two historical powerhouses battle in one game to advance. This is very college programs are made because in todays world the regular season is heavily ignored when it comes to legacies. 7 Games of the best teams of college basketball playing for a title is so exciting that most fan don’t care if there bracket is destroyed by a Cinderella in the first around. (Thanks Mercer/Duke).
Below is a copy of my bracket: As previously said in a blog post I’m taking Kentucky to win it all. Crossing my fingers hoping for another win of my HS pool.
Jack Gergel says
I completely agree with you that March Madness is the best postseason in all of sports. Each and every year it is filled with so much excitement and the fact that it is almost nonstop college basketball is awesome. I also really enjoy filling out a bracket each year and also compete against friends in a high school pool. Like you have Kentucky winning it all and going undefeated, but I was a bit more conservative than you with my final four of Arizona, Kentucky, Duke and UVA. I could definitely see Michigan State going on a run though like you have them, but I can’t agree with Harvard in the Sweet Sixteen. Also you better hope Iowa State can pull out this close game in the Round of 64, I did not see it coming.