There is nothing like the rush of a win, especially when it’s so unexpected. Knowing all the time you spent practicing, perfecting every movement, preparing for this moment, was worth it. The unpredictability of a single-elimination tournament play makes March Madness exciting. Upsets aren’t just a part of the event, they’re what makes it so unique and thrilling to watch.
What really sets apart March Madness from any other sporting event is the brackets. Each year, millions of people fill these out and try to predict which teams will advance through each round. The tournament begins with 68 NCAA Division 1 college basketball teams who have each been given a seed (if the team is a 1 seed this means they have the highest chance of winning). It then advances as each game is played to the Second Round, Sweet Sixteen, Elite Eight, Final Four, and ultimately, the championship game. No one has ever had a perfect bracket, and the odds of making it perfect are 1 in 147.5 quintillion. The bracket-making component is what allows the NCAA to generate hype from not only collegiate fans, but viewers from all over the country. Whether you are competing with your family, friends, or coworkers it’s a way for everyone to get excited about the prospect of your favorite team winning.
Personally, my favorite part of the tournament is the Cinderella stories. 16 seeds beating 3 seeds, a senior player getting to have one last big moment, or an emotional coach being proud of their team. In their historic 2022 March Madness run, Saint Peter’s was the first ever 15 seed to make it to the elite 8, garnering widespread support. These kind of upsets are what keeps fans on the edge of their seats and wanting more. Unlike other events that are more easily predictable such as the NBA finals or the Superbowl, March Madness is truly anyone’s game.
Last year Oakland University’s Jack Gholke became a sensation after leading his team to a historic run. In a postgame interview after Oakland’s upset over Kentucky, he stated “You gotta go out there and think you have the same talent level as them. I know they have draft picks, and I know I’m not going to the NBA, but I know on any given night I can compete with those type of guys… When we play our A-game, we can be the best team on the floor.”
I think this idea perfectly encapsulates the athlete mindset, and the essence of the tournament itself. March Madness proves its name to be true every single year by giving us fans epic, emotional stories of defeat and triumph, misery and euphoria. I have yet to find another sports tradition that excites me this much so consistently, and I doubt I ever will.
If interested in tuning in, make sure to download the official March Madness app where you can fill out a bracket and lock it in by 12 pm, March 20.