What the fuck? Seriously. I didn't follow college basketball this season, but this tournament has been a giant mindfuck. Butler? Again? How about Arizona barely getting by Memphis, then beating everyone's trendy Texas pick and then kicking the crap out of the Yankees of college basketball, Duke? Marquette getting by Syracuse. Who would've had VCU and Florida State playing for a chance to go to the Elite Eight? Most people were pissed that VCU even got in.
If there is one year where the selection committee seriously screwed up, this would be the year. It is still feasible that nobody higher than a #5 seed could be in the Final Four. That shouldn't happen. We all love to root for the underdog, but not four underdogs.
On a bit of a sidenote, I'd have to say right now I am pulling for Butler. They came so unbelievably close last year, coming within one shot of being the national champion. This year, somehow they still managed to fly under the radar and now experts are surprised again that they are in contention. That program over there is not one to underrate. I love Matt Howard, believe he plays harder than any man out there and his intensity is awesome to watch. I hope they kick the shit out of Florida in the next round.
The same thing happened to me last year, but this is always a time when I seriously miss my time at ESPN. I had the chance to work there during tournament time in 2009 and let me say, I don't think anything will ever measure up. I (somehow) never manage to friend people who care about sports as much as I do, therefore I have nobody to get excited with when something ridiculous happens in the tournament. Hell, I was at work the other day and I asked a few people if they knew what was happening in the tournament, and they didn't even know what it was! I didn't think there was a soul out there who didn't know what it was.
Anyway, the best part of being at ESPN and watching these games was the reactions of the others working there. People who watch SportsCenter on a regular basis only see the anchors on camera. Very boring, objective, etc. That is not even close to the case off the camera. I had the luxury of watching that ridiculous six overtime game between Syracuse and UConn two years ago with Scott Van Pelt and John Buccigross (two consummate professionals) and it was like watching it with two 15-year olds rooting for their favorite teams. It was incredible. The entire studio went insane at every shot. I've never been around that many sports fans at one time and I'm not sure I ever will be again. I miss it so much.
Another sidenote, that was the year my bracket did the best, for obvious reasons. I had the chance to watch all the games leading up to the tournament, and I knew more about college basketball (and hockey, for that matter) than I had before or since.
Why do I want to work in sports so badly? That's why. The atmosphere, something that is truly lacking in my current life. I want to be surrounded by sports fans, people who care about it as much or more than I do. I'm tired of having to explain why the NCAA tournament is exciting, and important. I want people that know the answer and can get as excited as I do when Matt Howard hits that last second bucket to move onto the next round.
Song currently stuck in my head:
Hearts on Parade- American Hi-Fi
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