As Championship Week for college basketball has ended, we now begin possibly the greatest spectacle in all of sports...well, at least college sports: March Madness.
It's time for 64, 68 if you count the play-in games, teams to take center stage on the TVs of millions world wide as the greatest month in sports kicks into high gear. Top teams will fall, underdogs will rise, and by the time the dust settles, one will be crowned champion.
The best thing about March Madness is the opportunity for a Cinderella. This is the only time where sports can have a true Cinderella. While football has surprise teams, there's nothing better than a team that has not shot at the tourney to win their conference championship and earn that automatic bid and then go on to win the whole cup-o-noodles (i.e. 1983 NC State men's team).
This is when teams, players, and coaches step up and make a name for themselves. It's always interesting to see which player will go from prospective-undrafted player to prospective-draft pick simply for a huge showing in March.
March is when schools can begin to solidify themselves among the tops in college basketball. Just ask VCU. Ever since they made the big dance and upset Duke in the first round 7 years ago, they have become a national power and have been contenders in the big dance ever since.
It's not limited to schools. Coaches can use this glorious month to stake their claims among the greatest. Smith, Knight, Valvano, Wooden, just to name a few have graced the big stage on this hallowed month. Today, the likes of Krzyzewski, Williams, Crean, Matta, Izzo, and Petino are the cream of the crop. However, a new batch of names like Larranaga and Smart are rising to the top ready to take the spotlight.
It provides with new names think about in preparation for the NBA Draft. Steph Curry, Kyle O'Quinn, and Kenneth Faried went from zeros to heros to draft picks following strong performances in the tournament.
We now embark on a journey where will undoubtedly laugh, cry, smile, and scream all in the same game. We have our favorites and our upset picks. So gather around the TV with some of your best friends and get your favorite six pack and your favorite bag of chips.
Who will rise to the top? Who will sink to the bottom? Who will become this years Cinderella story?? I DON'T KNOW!!
LET THE MADNESS BEGIN!!
I've got THE Ohio State winning the whole tournament. Who do you have? Leave you answer in a comment below!
