To the American sports enthusiast, nothing compares to the annual frenzy of March Madness. Even casual sports fans usually catch the contagious excitement of the NCAA’s month-long national basketball tournament. What is it exactly that makes March Madness so appealing and sets it apart from other sporting events?
First of all, the 64 teams included make this tournament special. No other playoff system allows so many competitors. Schools of all sizes, from all over the country, have a shot to advance to glory in front of the whole nation. Nothing brings out school pride and fervor like March Madness. On a global scale, the most comparable event would probably be the World Cup of soccer.
Another aspect of the tournament that always captures the imagination of viewers is the athletes themselves. These are college kids, some still teenagers, and they aren’t playing for money. They may not be the best basketball players in the world, but they are playing their hearts out at a very high level of competition. Nothing is more enjoyable to watch as a sports fan than talented athletes playing with passion and intensity. For many of these kids, playing in the NCAA tournament has been a dream since they were little, and their pursuit of victory is truly inspiring.
In addition, March Madness is incredibly fast-paced. Every day of the tournament, teams are eliminated and dreams are quickly dashed, while the hopes of others rise. It’s not like the other major U.S. sports, where teams play long playoff series, or have a week in between games. Lose one game, and your team is done; win one, and the ecstasy only lasts until the next game a few days later.
Of course, the NCAA tournament format has always lended itself to gambling, which is another reason for its massive popularity. From Vegas to office pools across the country, brackets are poured over and gamblers make their picks. Upsets are always a big part of March Madness, which adds to the excitement and makes picking money favorites always a tenuous activity.