The Big Dance: Colleges Biggest Sporting Tournament

by Vinny D.

March Madness is known widely across the nation. Whether people participate in it by making brackets alone, with friends or family, March Madness is a time of year where you might know nothing about a school, or a team and you start to know and hear about them as they rise up through each round. Even people who have never watched college basketball that year participate. 

Last season the winner of March Madness was the University of Connecticut who has won 2 straight seasons and has run college basketball with a totaling record of 68-11. There are definitely some changes in this season's standings for the 64 team tournament. This year, the betting favorites are Auburn and Duke who are favored by 7-2 odds to win compared to last season's Connecticut team is now 66-1 after a big graduating class. 

This upcoming tournament season, there are some big underdogs looking to make it and make a statement run in the tournament. 

“I think Mcneese will be an underdog team this year, they have a lot of experience coming into the tournament.” said Eric D. (11th) when discussing March Madness. 

Now what makes March Madness special is you’re probably thinking,” Whos Mcneese? Why have I never heard of them?” But that is what makes this tournament special. There are so many teams, smaller schools from all over the nation and teams you've heard of or never have but the tournament is made for big moments. For big buzzer beaters and big upsets. The high and low moments of teams. The intensity in games makes it so special to watch. 

As conference tournaments began the week of March 2nd, we saw who gets automatic bids into the tournament as the winner of each conference automatically gets in. For the other teams, The Selection Sunday show was on Sunday March 16th, where a committee decides who deserves it also gets in. 

A nearby school will be “Dancing” this year and many locals will be rooting for The Colorado State Rams this season. The Rams ended their season with a 25-9 record and winning the Mountain West Conference over Boise state. CSU will be a 12 seed playing a 5 seed Memphis team. CSU is one of the hottest teams in college basketball with winning 10 in a row and a top 30 NBA prospect in this upcoming draft class in NIque Clifford, a senior Guard. The CSU rams are favored to upset the Memphis Tigers this year. 

Mr. Williams (English Teacher) who is very well known for being a CSU Alum. and CSU fan says,” Absolutely I’m excited. I think they will come out of the first round but any games beyond that would just be a bonus for them.”.

Some people do punishments in these bracket tournaments they do with family. One student,  Cooper M.(11th) says” The loser of our bracket every year has to do a milk mile, I haven't had to do it yet but watching friends do it is funny.”

This kind of negative incentive brings excitement and the will to win when competing against family and friends. If you're not doing a March Madness bracket with people, it's a very fun and competitive event to watch and enjoy. Day one officially starts on March 20th and will be here In Denver, Co at Ball Arena.