Its that time of year for all you sports fans…March Madness…The 2006 NCAA Basketball Tournament! 64 college and university basketball programs trying to make it to the promised land to to find out who’s program is the best in a field of 64…not too mention the nice amount of endorsements and cash said university or college will be receiving.
Being a sports fan, especially of NCAA basketball, this is a favorite time of year for me. It does not compare to most other sports playoffs where anything can happen. Granted, most of the teams in the tourney that are expected to win, will win…however, everyone likes an underdog. Every year there are teams that are considered “Cinderella’s” that could possible make it to the big dance, knocking off some of the big schools like a Duke or North Carolina. I remember when teams like Gonzaga, Marquette, and NC-Wilmington were an afterthought and were not expected to make it past the 2nd round of the tourney. Now in the last 5 years or so, these teams have become perennial favorites. So who will be this year’s Cinderella? Belmont? Bradley?…Oral Roberts?!?!? Could you imagine Oral Robert’s being a household name when you mention NCAA basketball?
I think the appeal of the tournament is that EVERYONE can enjoy it…even the casual sports fan. Office pools are created and casual fans have an opportunity to win a little cash. I remember one year I played in an office pool and some girl I worked with won a couple hundred bucks by picking the tourney teams by whether or not the names sounded cool…sheesh!
The games start today at 12:20 p.m. with the final game on April 3rd. My final four picks; Duke, UConn, Florida, and Pitt. Now…the winner of this years 2006 NCAA Basketball Tournament is….*drum roll*…..UConn! (I wanted to say University of Kentucky since I am from there…but i can’t be a blind homer…got cash on the tourney. Sorry UK…GO WILDCATS!)
