On the surface, it seems like a humdrum activity – the annual tradition of filling out a bracket, enduring obnoxious fans and TV coverage. But nothing is more exciting or unique than 68 teams from across the country with new rosters each year competing in March Madness. In fact, it is far and away the best major sports competition in the country.
March Madness, by virtue of its structure, provides more excitement than any other championship.
Of course, everyone loves to see a good upset, but what many people do not consider is that much of the madness associated with the tournament comes from the pairing of teams that rarely, if ever, would play each other in the regular season. Who would ever pair Ole Miss against Wisconsin or Illinois against Colorado?
The result, despite what ESPN analysts or Nate Silver's closely calculated predictions say, is a completely unpredictable field. This year is even more unpredictable than usual, considering there have been five number one-ranked teams this season.
2008 was the only time that all four number-one seeds reached the Final Four. And in recent years, who can honestly say they predicted a Final Four appearance by George Mason in 2006, Virginia Commonwealth in 2011 or for Butler to reach the championship game in both 2010 and 2011?
Each year, the NCAA tournament also invites a renewal of the endless debate as to whether the NCAA competition is superior to that of the NBA. The answer is a resounding yes. Despite how paradoxical it seems that an amateur league is more fun to watch than a profession league, especially to those outside the United States, there is no comparison between March Madness and the N.B.A. Playoffs. Perhaps the most important part of what makes college basketball unique is the passion intrinsic in the game. Players have everything to prove and play their hardest each game, fans have a particular connection to their teams not seen on the professional level, students wait all day in preparation for games and are enthusiastic for each of the 40 minutes, and of course, a hallmark of college basketball that will never happen in the NBA is rushing the court after an important win. And that all happens before the NCAA tournament.
Conversely to the unpredictability of March Madness, since 1984 only eight NBA teams have won the championship.
The single-elimination format makes each game matter and to a degree, levels the playing field. The only other notable single-elimination playoff in American sports is the NFL and granted there is no comparison between Super Bowl viewership and that of the NCAA championship, but no one ever referred to the NFL playoffs as "madness."
Although NCAA programs spend millions upon millions on coaching, TV deals and facilities, money is largely out of the equation for players, which eliminates much of the distractions of professional play and allows for more focus on basketball. There isn't any fuss about a salary cap, trades, free agency and disputes between teammates or coaches are simply not tolerated. There aren't nearly as many fistfights or off-the-court illegal activities in NCAA basketball as there are in the NBA.
And there isn't nearly the controversy of the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) bowl games and seeding that has plagued college football in recent years–any team that proves itself in the regular season has a legitimate shot at the title in NCAA basketball. Case in point–Florida Gulf Coast University. Amazing.
Perhaps the only fundamental flaw with NCAA basketball is the John Calipari system in which increasing numbers of players do not graduate and instead, opt for the NBA.Former coach, Bob Knight, has championed a stipulation that players must complete at least three years of college play to become eligible for professional play and this is an important prescription for the integrity of college basketball. But short of that, the amount of unrefined competition in this tournament is unparalleled.
So whether you have no knowledge about college basketball or are an avid fan, if your bracket looks like a failed test or should be framed, enjoy these next weeks of some one the best sport anywhere. The tournament comes only once a year and provides some of the most memorable plays, upsets and teams in all of sports.
One last thing – go Indiana!
Ross Fogg is a College junior from Fayetteville, Ga.
Cartoon by Katrina Worsham
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