March Madness
We’ve made it to Indianapolis! In an unprecedented and unique NCAA Basketball season, it is finally time to begin the Madness once again. Many believe that March is one of the best times of the year in college sports, but just a year ago, it never had the chance to kick into gear with the rapid spread of COVID-19. In a heavily supported decision to cancel the Men’s and Women's Division I Basketball Championships in 2020, some wondered when the next tournament would occur. Through long conversations over the summer and close monitoring of the pandemic, the NCAA decided that it would go forward with the 2020-2021 basketball season, but with significant restrictions. Teams would have to endure Zoom practices, long waits for COVID testing, and the inability to see friends and family. Each athlete, coach, and staff member made sacrifices so that we would be able to experience the Madness once again. However, with long COVID pauses and the IVY League canceling their season, there was still some concern about how the NCAA would complete an entire tournament. But after the conclusion of the regular season, the wait was finally over. This Sunday was Selection Sunday, where teams are picked for the tournament to fill the bracket, which brought joy to all the teams and their loyal fanbases. With the First Four portion of the tournament beginning on Thursday, March 18th, there are some notable features about this year's version of March Madness. The teams will play all 67 tournament games in Indianapolis to limit travel and the risk of contracting the virus. Stadiums will be allowing fans up to 25 percent capacity, consisting of families of student-athletes and some outside supporters. The committee on Selection Sunday selected four replacement teams if a team experienced a covid outbreak. As the first game occurs on Friday, no NEW teams will be allowed to enter the tournament. Any COVID-related situations will result in a concession of the game, and the opposing team will move on to the next round. There are currently two teams with major COVID issues that could keep them out of the tournament; four seeded Virginia Cavaliers and three seeded Kansas Jayhawks. Although they probably will play, they won’t practice until a day before the tournament leading to possible upsets.
The fan-favorite upset pick of this year's March Madness is 13 seeded Ohio Bobcats over defending champions Virginia, with their star guard Jason Preston leading the show. Other upset picks could be 12 seeded UC Santa Barbara over five seeded Creighton, 12 seeded Georgetown over five seeded Colorado, and 12 seeded Winthrop over five seeded Villanova. Every year there is a clear favorite to win the entire tournament, but with the stark competition around the NCAA this season, this year's tournament is shaping up as one of the best in the past couple of years.
This year's tournament is setting up to be one of the most competitive with outstanding teams and standout players. To name a few, Luka Garza of the Iowa Hawkeyes looks to cap off a National Player of the Year worthy season with a National Championship. Corey Kispert and Jalen Suggs look to finish off an undefeated season with title favorites Gonzaga Bulldogs. Ayo Dosunmu and Kofi Cockburn are coming off a Big 10 title win and seek a National Championship with the Fighting Illini. In addition to these players, there are just as talented athletes on teams with a Cinderella chance. Look out for JaQuori McLaughlin of UCSB, Jhavon Blair of Georgetown, and Jason Preston of Ohio.
Like every March Madness, we have zero ideas of what will happen until the tournament occurs. This year has been about perseverance, unity, and dedication to the game, and each team will look to cap it off with a championship. Fill out your brackets and tune in starting Friday to watch the Madness unfold. In a year of COVID, it may not be the best team that wins it all, but the team that wants it the most.