the madness of king march

Some of you may be thinking that the most important thing about tomorrow is the whole change the clocks business.

But there are others of you who know better. Oh, yes. Tomorrow is not just a regular clocks changing Sunday.

It's Selection Sunday.

Once again, I'm doing my Sportsline Blogball Bracket, and the invitation is open to whoever wants to join. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, then let me give a brief explanation.

*clears throat*

*bring up the volume on some well known song by U2*

Every March, all over the country, people gather around their televisions and radios to listen to the sweet sounds of The Big Dance. Sixty-four men's NCAA basketball teams play in one of the greatest sports tournaments known to mankind. In one weekend, those 64 teams are cut down to 32 and then to The Sweet Sixteen. The following weekends we have the Elite Eight, the Final Four and finally the National Championship Game. This athletic contest is arguably full of more drama, more intensity, more upsets, more celebrations, more blood, sweat, and tears than any other sports event, save perhaps the Olympics.

Enter bracketology. For amateurs and professionals alike, it has become a national pastime to predict who will advance into, and ultimately win, the NCAA Tournament. This week, across North America, we'll speak of seeds and Cinderellas, of dynasties and underdogs. We will fill out our brackets with the utmost of care and hope that our research was accurate. We pray that another George Mason doesn't come along and bust our bracket to tiny little pieces. But if they do, so be it. It's all part of the game.

Let's Dance.

*fade music*

So who's up for some NCAA bracket fun?

• It doesn't matter if you know nothing about NCAA basketball; I never do. I just spend a bit of time on ESPN and Sportsline before I choose my picks and hope the experts know what their talking about.
• Since I've set up my Blogball Bracket through Sportsline, all the scoring is electronic, and you can fill out a bracket online.
• In order to do this, I'll need to send you an email inviting you to participate (unless you played last year with me, then I think you're already there).
• Every one is allowed two brackets (because I'm no purist).
• The winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift certificate.
• No cost to you.
• Except perhaps your dignity.

I know my sister is playing (because I'll make her) and J-L (in his own words "to redeem myself after last year's debacle"). Maybe Nancy? Kim C? As for last year's winner, my former student Nathanael who was the only person in the universe who had George Mason going deep (drat him! double drat him!), I'd like to see if he can win two years in a row. If he does, then I may have to hire him to give me advice next year.

If you're interested, drop me an email or comment here and I'll send you an invitation as soon as the brackets open up tomorrow. The bracket closes Wednesday night since games start on Thursday.

Let the games begin.

Comments

[Amy]

I LOOOOOVE this time of year! My brackets are always toast by the end of the first round, but I play every year anyway. Go Heels!!

[Nancy]

I'll play again! I have no idea who I'm going to put in my brackets, but it's fun to try and guess. :-)

[Anachronism]

I'm in again. National Review doesn't have any tips (cleverly disguised as an article about a law school's libertarian bent) this year, so I'll have to see what The New Criterion has.

[raehan]

This actually sounds fun. I'm tempted, but wouldn't know how to pick. I hven't been watching this year.

[sister]

Sure - sign me up. I might try some dice rolling technique this year. Go Marineers! : )

[raehan]

I just asked my husband to help me with this tonight. He said yes.

[ccap'sboy]

I'm just waiting for my new password from CBS. And when I get it, watch out! (No, not really, just trying to sound like I have a clue).

I'm looking forward to it.

J-L