March Madness: Most Unifying of Sports Events?

[hoyaalf]

I'm watching all kinds of conference championships, putting faces to names, and generally having a good time watching kids from all over the country who I'll never see again play their butts off.

It seems to me that March Madness is the most nationally unifying of collegiate sports events.

Is it because basketball is the most democratic of high profile collegiate sports in the sense of required resources or is there another reason the nation goes on half-day production during March other than Lenten Fasting of course? Regionalism, for instance. Or is it just another way of saying football needs restructuring?

What's it like where you are?

Not the fasting; the basketball vibration.

[jgalt]

This is the best week in all of sports, bar none. I will defend that point to my death.

This week is never disappointing. Yes, the first weekend of the NCAA's has lots of potential for upsets and crazy games, but you are guaranteed amazing games this week.

There are about 46 or so teams fighting for their life this week and all they want to do is win.

Take the Weber St.-Montana game that just ended. You are fool if you missed it. Weber St. was up 20 at the half. TWENTY, on their home floor. But no one told Anthony Johnson of Montana, who scored 34 points, IN THE SECOND HALF and hit the game winning shot to send Montana to the big dance.

This week makes heroes out of no names like the first weekend just cant. These guys who come out of no where to score 30 points or a last second shot are legitimate heroes to their teams and fans. Teams in terrible conferences have one shot to make the tournament and all they want to do it make the tournament; they dont expect to win that first game or win a title. They already won their Championship.

And its not just the bottom feeders. Already in this BET we have seen four games come down to the wire, and the good teams (sans Georgetown) havent even played yet.

That Georgetown has spring break this week every year is either a miracle or the best planning the administration has ever done. EVER

[The Stig]

Most unifying event in the US? Maybe.

But around the world, NOTHING can top what the hockey gold medal game did in Canada. Take a look at this graph: www.patspapers.com/blog/item/what_if_everybody_flushed_at_once_Edmonton_water_gold_medal_hockey_game/

[jgalt]

Mar 10, 2010 23:48:39 GMT -5 The Stig said:

Most unifying event in the US? Maybe.

But around the world, NOTHING can top what the hockey gold medal game did in Canada. Take a look at this graph: www.patspapers.com/blog/item/what_if_everybody_flushed_at_once_Edmonton_water_gold_medal_hockey_game/

Saw that on puck daddy today. So awesome. Also said that an air canada flight was delayed because the passengers REFUSED TO BOARD THE PLANE UNTIL THE GAME WAS OVER! so awesome. SO awesome.