Sure, it's a cliché, but it really is March Madness, even if those two words started as a marketing ploy of the NCAA to pump up interest in the men's basketball tournament.
Starting with today's selections and culminating with the title game on April 8, March Madness – this year, it's March and April Madness – will dominate more than just the sports world.
First, there will be arguments about which colleges caught a break with a favorable seed or region, which ones have the most difficult road to the Final Four and which deserving ones were left out.
Then it will be time to fill out brackets. Some folks play contests online, where it's easier to keep track of multiple brackets. Some take the old-school route, filling out a bracket that will be published in The Bee's viewers' guide on Monday. And others participate in office pools, paying perhaps $5 or $10 for a chance at a big payday.
Some of us study the records, rosters, stats and results – and anguish over each selection. Others pick based on conference affiliation, nicknames, uniform colors or geographic preference.
Even folks who don't know or care that Duke lost to Maryland in the ACC tournament Friday get caught up in the "madness," filling out an office bracket simply for bragging rights.
Shortly after 3 p.m. today, March Madness takes over for the next three weeks. We'll bring you plenty of coverage – in print and online. Sit back and enjoy.
What to watch
NCAA Tournament selection show, 3 p.m. Ch. 13: If you're near a TV, what else would you watch?
Weekend poll
How much do you care about March Madness?
• I fill out multiple brackets that cost to play.
• I fill out a bracket with a cash payoff.
• I fill out one bracket, just for fun.
• I don't care.
Vote above or leave your comments in the comment field; or, go to www.sacbee.com/sports
Friday's results
Who is the best football player to come out of Sacramento State?
• Aaron Garcia: 32%
• John Gesek: 14%
• Lorenzo Lynch: 11%
• Ricky Ray: 9%
• Charles Roberts: 30%
• Daimon Shelton: 4%
Total votes: 255
Call The Bee's Tom Couzens, (916) 321-1097. Follow him on Twitter @tomcouzens.
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