Excitement and unforgettable moments make March Madness America’s signature sporting event
The month of March signals that spring is on its way and the flowers are beginning to bloom. We will be able to leave our homes without our boots and gloves. The term “wind chill” will be in our rearview mirror.
March also begins a truly American tradition called “March Madness.” The basketballs will bounce non-stop as we fans enjoy all the tournament action.
According to well-documented reports, the term March Madness was first used in reference to basketball in 1939 by Henry V. Porter, an Illinois high school official. The NCAA didn’t use March Madness until legendary sportscaster Brent Musburger used it during the 1982 tournament. I was honored to have taken a picture with him a few years ago.
No other sporting event comes close to March Madness. Comparing it to something else is pretty debatable in my opinion. Some will say the Super Bowl is a big event, while others will say the NBA Finals is high on their bucket list. Both events, along with the World Series for baseball and Wimbledon for tennis, certainly have a spot on everyone’s scoreboard. But March Madness has a different ring to it.
It even has a number of conditions that come with the event. On the bubble, bracketology, buzzer-beaters are all terms you hear associated with March Madness. Others include the big dance, last four in and last four out.
Part of the March Madness vocabulary is the term Final Four. Ed Chay, a sportswriter, coined the term in 1975. Of course, the NCAA has now trademarked the term.
Familiarize yourself with these terms, because you’ll be hearing them a lot over the next three weeks.
ESPN has Joe Lunardi, who I think has become a March Madness guru and something of a sports prophet. Funny and humorous, he only comes out at this time of year. He’s on ESPN every day during March Madness, talking about the selection or being quoted by other media personalities.
A little-known fact about him is that he is credited with inventing the term bracketology.
The NCAA Division I basketball tournament will feature 68 men’s and women’s teams. The selection shows took place on Sunday, March 12 and were televised on CBS and ESPN. I’ve watched the selections for many years and I never tire of them.
Happiness is just spontaneous when you see young student athletes make bananas when they know they are “dancing”. I think those moments of joy will be burned into their hearts and minds forever. Some moments in a collegiate athlete’s career are so wonderful that they will always be remembered. I humbly say I’ve had a few of those moments.
The 12-member NCAA-appointed committee made their selection. The number 1 for men is Alabama and the number 1 for women is South Carolina.
Sports shows will dissect each team, with coaches and players quizzed on their perspectives. It’s the best time of the year.
Critics will say that you’re a pretty good coach once your team makes it to March Madness. I agree.
The season is over for some teams and just beginning for other teams. This is the ecstasy and agony of March.
Bobby Hurley, a former guard for Duke and now the Arizona State coach, recently said he’s never gone to the National Invitational Tournament and doesn’t want to start now. The committee must have heard him. Arizona State is part of March Madness.
Have you finished your mount yet? Some people have two or three of these.
Now it’s time to enjoy the drama and surprises. Surprises are what make March Madness so fun because every team gets a chance at the start.
Who will be the last team standing? That is the question in court.