The Descent into Madness
The most exciting time of the year for sports fans across the country is almost upon us (edging the MLB playoffs for the top spot by virtue of sheer intensity). The bracket is set and the madness is about to begin. For as excited as I get about the whole enterprise, you'd think that I'd see it coming a mile away but every year it manages to sneak up on me. Since (Selection) Sunday, I've been madly trying to catch up on all the college basketball information I've missed by not paying attention all year long, reading every bracketology article I can get my hands on, and hashing out every possible scenario until I come up with something that I can live with.
Of course March Madness wouldn't be what it is if you couldn't share it with people that are equally passionate about it. My brother and I have been obsessively talking out the different permutations of results for the past hour and a half and we will meet for lunch tomorrow with printed brackets to compare notes. Frantic emails will be sent as my Yahoo sports page refreshes, bringing the latest results to my desk at work. As the tournament progresses, moments will be relived with excited voices and picks will be scrutinized in the hopes of learning something for next year (doubtful). The important games (all those involving Valpo or Wisconsin and everything from the Final Four on) will be watched together with accelerated heartrates, eased only by the comfort of a cold beer or two. The camaraderie facilitated by the tournament is really something special.
With that being said, a case of Shiner Bock is in the fridge and the picks are (mostly) made. Let the madness begin.