Let the Madness Begin!!

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!

Don't Underestimate the Underdog...

Remember this?

How about this?

Then why can't Northern Illinois defeat Florida State in the Discover Orange Bowl?

I'm not going to sit here and try to explain how Huskies is going to beat the Seminoles, but I will tell you that if you think FSU is going to walk all over them, you don't know sports.

This is a bowl game. And while many of you can't stand bowl season, think it's pointless, or absolutely despise it, it means something to these kids. For Northern Illinois' seniors, this will likely be the final game of their careers. Why would they let it be a blow out?

Everything is stacked up against Northern Illinois. They are 13 point underdogs, the game is basically in FSU's backyard, and the college football world isn't giving them a chance. I believe, that that is Northern Illinois biggest strength.

Nobody is giving them a chance. So, what do they got to lose? If Florida State wins the game, it's expected and nobody thinks twice about it. If Northern Illinois wins, it goes down as one of the greatest upsets in NCAA history and FSU gets treated like Goliath (after he fell, of course).

If you think NIU is going to let FSU roll them over, you've got another thing coming. This is a bowl game...a BCS bowl game. Northern Illinois will be ready and will give Florida State a tough test.

If there's one thing I've learned throughout my years of sports study and experience it's this...

Go Huskies.

Redskins Draft Profle: Keenan Robinson

Robinson, 1, was a fourth round pick of the Redskins. (Photo: giantsgab.com)

With the 119th pick in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL Draft, the Washington Redskins selected linebacker Keenan Robinson from the University of Texas.

In four seasons for the Longhorns, Robinson started in every game from his sophomore through  his senior season. He appeared in 12 games as a freshman. He recorded 316 total tackles including 24 tackles for loss. He also sacked the quarterback 5.5 times. Robinson caused three fumbles and recovered two fumbles. The Plano, Texas native intercepted two passes while breaking up 13 more.

Robinson is a two-time Butkus Award (nations top NCAA linebacker award) semi-finalist as well as second team All Big 12 following his junior and senior seasons. He was the Holiday Bowl Defensive MVP his senior season for his 10 tackle performance against Cal.

First off, looking back at your career for the University of Texas, what is the fondest memory you have of playing for them?
"I think my greatest memory at Texas is beating Texas A&M with a last second field goal my Senior Year. It was the final game of the series and the game was an instant classic."

Where were you when you recieved the call from the Redskins saying they were drafting you?
"I was in Dallas with my friends and family. I talked to Coach Shannahan and Coach Haslett. As soon as I heard their voices I knew that the Redskins had picked me."

What was the moment like when it was announced that the Redskins had drafted you and it became official?
"I was pretty enthusiastic. I had been waiting on that moment for a long time and when it happened it was almost too surreal. I knew that I was going to get drafted just now when and by who. To get drafted by a great organization like the 'Skins was the icing on the cake."

How were you recieved when you first arrived at Redskins Park to be introduced?
"I think the fans along with the staff were very receptive of me. Being a Texas guy I already have high expectations with players like Orakpo and Cedric Griffin already on the team so they already knew what Texas players were about."

What are your expectations or goals that you have for yourself this season?
"Every rookie wants to come in and be an immediate impact player. Realistically, I want to get the system down by the end of training camp and earn the as well as the coaches trust so that I can be a guy that can get in the inside backer rotation."

How are you going to contribute to and help improve the Redskins defense?
"I think that first and foremost I will help the team wherever they need me on special teams. Secondly, i can bring my combination of size and speed to the inside backer position which will allow me to make plays at this level."

How do you plan to get invloved in the Redskins community?
"The first thing I want to do is find a good church that I can get involved with. I know that Sundays are usually hectic with our schedule and everything, but I could attend a service or two during the week. The next thing I want to do is get with guys like Orakpo and Fletcher and see what they're doing in the community and see if I can get involved."

Once you get that first pay check, what is your first big purchase going to be?
"I want to help my parents. They have sacrificed for my brother and sisters our entire lives and now it's time I help them out so that they don't have to worry about making ends meet."

What excites you the most about becoming a Washington Redskin?
"The most exciting element of becoming a Redskin is the opportunity to play in arguable to toughest conference in the entire league amongst some of the best players in the league. The competition I will face week in and week out will challenge me and really help me develop my game even further."