This year’s NCAA mens basketball national championship tournament, AKA March Madness, is living up to its billing. In a year of parity, the blue blood, well-known basketball schools are dropping like flies.
In the first two rounds, six national title contenders bit the dust and suffered early exits, including the first-ever upset of a #1 seed (Virginia) by a #16 seed (the University of Maryland-Baltimore County)! The UMBC team becomes the first to knock off a top seed in 136 attempts.
Joining Virginia on the sidelines are #1 seed Xavier, #2 seeds North Carolina and Cincinnati, #3 seed Michigan State and #4 Arizona.
The lone Valley rep is still alive, Loyolla, as are two Big Ten teams, Michigan and Purdue. Peoria High alum Jerrance Howard is on the staff with Kansas State, which advanced, too.
Is the mens March Madness tourney the best tournament in all of sports? I’d put it up there with the NHL’s Stanley Cup playoffs, a 2-month war of attrition and puck luck. Soccer’s World Cup has more global interest and passion. What’s the best tourney in sports in your mind?
Doc Watson
