NCAA Tournament Tag

This current century is still relatively young but I think it is time to look back on the NCAA Tournament since the millennium changed over.  It was hard to narrow the list down to 10 so the Top 10 essentially becomes the most memorable for me.  A lot happens from year to year and sometimes it can be hard to remember a buzzer-beater or crazy comeback.  But then again, if it is hard to remember then perhaps it wasn't that great.

*I apologize in advance if I have done a disservice to an outstanding NCAA Tournament moment by leaving it off of this list.

The Tournament is my favorite postseason for any sport at any level.  It just does not get any better.  So many games.... So much on the line....  This is what sports fans live for.

Seriously, is there anything better than the NCAA Tournament?  Throughout the world there are sporting events that capture excitement and majesty in the performance of excellence.  Some say the Super Bowl is the greatest event.  Others might contend that the Olympics or the World Cup represents the best that organized sport has to offer.  A fan representative from every major sport could file an argument for their sport's top event.

Most times we are consumed with professional athletes and for good reason.  Pro athletes are at the top of their game and talent levels across the board are much higher than that of any amateur league.  However, there is just something special about college basketball.

Sure some of the pageantry has been lost over the years from players leaving college early.  And yes there are a litany of dirty coaches in college but at the end of the day these players should be allowed to receive compensation.  Tax friendly of course.  The only obvious problem is the disparity between schools and the pocket books of their boosters.  But until the NCAA cleans up their act that is a conversation for another day.  For now we just get to enjoy the amazingly competitive basketball we have had the pleasure of watching all season.

Well every year I get sad when the Final Four arrives.  I know that sounds crazy but when the Final Four is decided it means that the madness is coming to a close.  And usually by this time my bracket has been torn up and tossed across the room about 4 times before taking its final resting place inside of a pizza box.

Sure there are still 3 games left to be played to decide the National Championship, but every year the 2 weekends leading up to the Final Four provide more meaningful action than any other 2 week span in sports.

Holy cow folks!  The First Four games last night provided the sports world with the best possible start to the NCAA tournament.  When they first added the play-in game, I found it somewhat meaningless and never cared to watch two teams battle for the right to lose in the NCAA tournament.  Even after the field was expanded to 68  teams in 2011 and thus a total of 4 play-in games.....  Still didn't care too much.  The talent level and potential for good games increased but I still assumed these were teams that were destined for a first round exit anyways.  Plus most brackets don't have you fill out the play-in games so interest level is naturally limited.

Fast forward to the conclusion of last year's tourney and one of those teams (VCU) made it to the Final Four.  And naturally my interest dramatically increased this year when thinking about the success of the Rams last year.  It could have just been a lucky run but when you win 5 games in the NCAA tournament it is clear that skill, preparation, and coaching played a much larger part than luck.  Although I think any coach will tell you that luck is warmly welcomed at any time.