It’s that time of the year where whether or not you are a basketball fan, March Madness has it’s
annual grip on the nation and people coast to coast are filling out there brackets.
The safe bet for all you bracketeers is to pick the number 1 seeds and have a powerhouse filled Final Four with the likes of Duke, North Carolina, Kentucky, Syracuse, and the rest of the ruling elites of the college basketball world. However, this year is different. With the first three rounds done, many of the powerhouse teams are already out.
The defending champion Connecticut Huskies were out in the first round as well as the 2010 champions, the Duke Blue Devils. 2nd seeded Missouri were also bounced in the first round along with the Texas Longhorns and the local St. Mary’s Gaels.
This is what makes the NCAA Mens Basketball Tournament unlike anything in college or professional sports. The talent pool is so wide that sleeper teams that arrive with a competitive spirit have a real chance of advancing deep into the bracket. This year featured two teams ranked 15 or higher beating out two number two seeded teams, the first time in the history of the tournament.
This years Sweet Sixteen features the likes of North Carolina State, Ohio, and Xavier, all of whom are ranked 10th and up. Now it remains to be seen how well these teams will do in the next round but if this tournament is anything like the previous rounds it should make for an exciting NCAA tournament and give the fans what they want; a chance to see somebody else get their fair shake and a chance at making history and bring glory to their school.
Unfortunately, only 3 teams from the west coast were represented in the tournament, and the local schools Cal and St. Mary’s bowed out in relatively unimpressive fashion. College basketball on the west coast is the weakest it has ever been, and that has killed a lot of the interest around here. But if you’re looking for the best competition in sports, then the NCAA tournament is the way to go.
It’s something for those who appreciate the sport of basketball can embrace and share with those who are just like them, a fan. Even if your team is not in the tournament the upsets, the drama, and the suspense should be enough entertainment even to the novice fans, and this year looks like it will be nothing short of exciting.