Why the NCAA Tournament is so Popular?
Yesterday marked the opening rounds of the NCAA tournament. Yes, I know, Florida A&M and Niagara played the ‘play-in’ game Tuesday night for the right to lose today against Kansas. However, make no mistake, today is the start of the NCAA tournament. There will be 64 for teams in a winner take all free for all to see who will be crowned king of college basketball.
Ever since the 64 team field was set last Sunday, there has been a buzz of excitement in offices around the country, and this got me thinking about why this tournament one of the most popular sporting events in the country. Actually, about the only sporting event more popular in the country is probably the Super Bowl.
But why is the NCCA tournament so popular? Is it because everyone knows the NCAA tournament means spring is just around the corner. For people who have been snow bound, this may be reason to get excited. However, for people in the hurricane zone, the NCAA marks approximately ten weeks to the start of hurricane season and hurricane season usually does not excite anyone.
Maybe the NCAA tournament is so popular because this tournament usually held around St.Patricks Day. Everyone knows Americans love to celebrate, so maybe the NCAA tournament gets a little ‘spillover’ from the St.Patricks celebrations?
I think the reason for the popularity of the NCAA tournament is that Americans love an underdog. I am sure everyone remembers the 1980 Olympics USA hockey team. The NCAA tournament might be the last sporting event where there is a guarantee every year that an underdog is going to win at least one game. Last year George Mason captured the American heart because they were the David beating the Goliaths. However, at the end, George Mason lost steam and were finally beat by eventual champion Florida. Who will be this years George Mason? No one really knows, and that is what gives the NCAA tournament so exciting. You know an underdog is going to win, but you just do not know what ‘small school’ team is going to be this years David.
So for me, when the NCAA tournament games begin today, I will be intently listening to the radio while at work, and then watching my TV at home to see what team will be this years Cinderella. I just hope that whoever is this years Cinderella is a team that I picked so that my bracket is not busted in week 1.
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