March Madness. It’s more than just a tournament, it’s a celebration of College Basketball where 64 teams fight for glamor, glory, and a shot at the NCAA Division 1 Tournament Trophy. From March 19th to April 8th, the basketball gods gift us nonstop, action-packed, single-elimination bouts between world-class programs and tiny schools most haven’t even heard of. With underdogs, powerhouses, beatdowns, and buzzer-beaters galore, it’s hard not to love the thrill of the tournament. As the countdown to tipoff winds down, it’s imperative that we preview (and try to predict) the magic that happens in March.
Being that Selection Sunday is still a few days away, there are many teams that are yet to officially punch their ticket to the tournament. However, at this point in the road, Purdue, UConn, and Houston have essentially locked up a number-one seed. As for the fourth spot, it’s likely to come down to Tennessee and North Carolina depending on how their respective conference tournaments go. Some other notable teams that are likely to secure a spot are Arizona, Creighton, Auburn, Marquette, and Kentucky to name a few. The rest of the seeding is still to be determined. This year’s batch of conference tournaments will bestow us with the best of the best in college basketball.
Everyone knows that the best part of the tournament happens before it even starts: filling out a bracket. While a perfect bracket is essentially impossible, it is possible to make a good one. However, one must have an adequate knowledge of basketball to predict a matchup correctly. With that being said, here are a couple of teams to watch out for when creating that aforementioned perfect bracket. Indiana State, Dayton, TCU, and St Johns are all teams that have caught fire as of late, the best attribute a team can have coming into March. In other news, Alabama, Duke, Kansas, and Iowa State have been trending down recently. Be mindful of them when creating a bracket. However, the best advice one can give on bracketology is to do the research, look at the stats, and watch the game. Combining these three traits (and a little bit of luck) will grant a winning bracket.
Beyond the swish of the net, the squeaking of the sneakers, and the cheers of rowdy fans lies a deeper significance to the madness of March. The joy of winning and the agony of defeat are really what makes this tournament so riveting and exciting. It may be easy to get caught up in the scores and statistics, but always remember to enjoy every last second of the short competition. Before we know it, one team will be cutting down the nets and the wait until next March will begin.
