Today, as all good sports fans know, marks the start of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. This year, the Final Four will take place in Indianapolis, Indiana on April 3 and 5. Now as some of you already know, I'm a big college basketball fan and a big UConn fan. Unfortunately, the UConn men's team did not make the field of 65 but that does not diminish my enthusiasm for the tournament.
What makes the tournament great is each of the three weeks has its own special feel for very different reasons. The first two days a total of 16 games are played and the field is cut in half. These first round contests is where "cinderella" has the habit of showing up and knocking off one of the big boys. There are always a couple of double digit seeds that make it through to the second round. The next two days, eight second round games are played and by the end of the first weekend, the original field of 65 is slashed to 16 teams.
The second week probably has the best match-ups and the quality of play is tremendous. This is usually when the clock strikes midnight for "cinderella" and the true contenders emerge heading into the Final Four. Being a UConn fan, I have to say "cinderella" doesn't always leave the ball early. This was the case back in 2006 when upstart George Mason upset UConn to earn the first Final Four berth in school history. A sad day in UConn sports history as that year's team should have won UConn's third national championship. Bottom line, the George Mason players wanted it more. The following weekend, George Mason was beaten by Florida in one of the national semifinals. Florida went on to beat UCLA to win the first of two titles.
The third and final weekend is the Final Four. From 65 to four teams for all the marbles. "One and done" which I feel is the best aspect of the tournament is is full effect during the Final Four. Win six games in a row and you're the national champion. My prediction for this year's Final Four is: Kansas, Kentucky, Syracuse and Villanova with Kansas ultimately cutting down the nets.
What are your "upset specials?" What's your prediction for the Final Four. I invite your comments. Have fun watching this year's tournament!
