For the uninitiated, this tournament consists of 64 teams that compete in a single elimination format that ultimately leads to the crowning of the national champion. Teams are grouped into four divisions and within each, the sixteen teams are ranked 1 through 16. Although the rankings (or seedings) theoretically give you a sense of how the teams will do, it is rare that the four #1 seeds advance to the Final Four – please disregard 2008.
Where this tournament differs most from the pro competition, in my opinion, is the fact that these athletes are hungrier. I once hear a stat that 1 in 5 US college players go on to professional ball. That means that for many this tournament is their chance to show case their skills and get to the gravy train that is professional ball. Keep in mind that even making the tournament is an accomplishment as there are far more than 64 division 1 teams in the US. As such, these guys put their everything into the game and leave NOTHING behind. For many, there simply will be no next year, no second chance, no Mulligans!
This year I was on vacation when the time came to make my tournament picks for our company office pool. As such, I had exactly one hour to do my research and make my picks after a day of touring southern cali. It is difficult for us north of the 49th to track college hoops by watching team as TV coverage is scant at best. Nonetheless, I barreled into the business centre at the hotel I was staying at, printed out my bracket, and made my picks. The final result is shown in the attached image.
Amazingly enough, I made some excellent picks. Through the first round I selected 27/32 matchup correctly, and carried on to choose three out of the final four teams. MSU over Louisville was a key pick that proved to come true. Of course, I was blindsided as well. I didn’t expect Pitt to lose prior to the Final Four, and certainly did not see Oklahoma dismantling Syracuse with surgeon-like efficiency – I still have nightmare about that game.
Ultimately, though, there was just no stopping #1 North Carolina. Michael Jordan’s alma matter represented in fine fashion disposing of a solid MSU team in a final game that was anything but in question.
In the end, I was lucky enough to lead my corporate office pool wire to wire, giving me a 1000% return on my initial wage – nice!
The one knock I have against the tournament is simply this. In advance of it, the anticipation builds. During it, the excitement is intense all consuming. But, all too soon, the tournament is over, and we are left wanting more, sadly relegated to waiting another eleven months to repeat the process all over again. Before we know it, we are left watching CBS’s famous “One Shining Moment” video ( ), and reliving the brief, but intense tourney, in a sub two minute clip.
As this year’s tourney has come and gone, I leave you with my two cents on the tourney:
· Blake Griffon is a powerhouse and will be an excellent NBA player. I can’t think of the last time I saw someone jump high enough to graze the side of their face on the backboard foam – and the fact that he is ½ white is all the more amazing! This isn’t to suggest that white men can’t jump, but rather, that as a white man with a vertical that has seen better days, my hats are off to Blake.
·Tyler Hansbrough looks possessed when he plays– his eyes just might pop out of his head one day. Either that, or he might burst into tears at any moment – not sure which. It is also funny to me that while he is undoubtedly a basketball phenom and will likely to be named NCAA’s college player of the year, I can honestly say that in looking at him, he doesn’t look like a baller to me. Sure, he is 6’9” which naturally gives him a bball bend, but he almost looks too physically large, and doesn’t look super athletic to me. Prior to seeing him play I would actually guess him to slow and uncoordinated.
·When was the last time player benches were sunken below the floor level as they were in the final games?
·How great was it that Obama filled out a tournament bracket and made is such a public event. Can you imagine, even for second, W doing that? Genius, I tell you, genius. And, not only that, but he had the vision to pick UNC to win --- what a leader!
Until next year, I leave you with my favourite moment of the tourney:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otKxYdQVpew&feature=related
Booyah!
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