March Madness has brought another joy like the Green Bay Packers and Wisconsin Badger football did earlier this year. It's not at the same level, but still I have never been so locked into the NCAA tournament. Without question, the new format of games on different channels has allowed people to know these teams better. What if I only got to know VCU in the Elite Eight? I think my level of appreciation is much lower than it is today. Instead, I am hoping he wins the whole effin' thing like he said before the Kansas game because I actually know his character by watching him rather than reading a profile of Smart in a prominent newspaper. I still read those profiles because I want to absorb as much as I can about one storyline.
There is no doubt about it that Twitter has further this process for me. Various sportswriters who are at the game, or watching the game from their couch like I am is absolutely fantastic. I feel that I am sitting at the sports bar watching the game with Seth Davis, Jay Bilas, Michael Smith, Bomani Jones, and Jason McIntyre (The Big Lead) amongst others who I follow. It's awesome to see if I'm thinking the same thing they are, or they fill me in with stats plus other things going on at the game. When Marquette went to the Sweet 16, I hit refresh like a mad man for the next couple of hours to see what others had to say about them. Right now, there is nothing better than getting a rapid reaction from a game I just watched.
CBS executives probably have the same catatonic look like the girl from The Ring has about the ratings for VCU-Butler. But I do not care in the slightest. I talked to Eric on the phone a bit yesterday, and he said "you know we all love Cinderella, but once it gets to the Elite Eight, we want to see the good teams play for it all." While I agree somewhat, I still love the chance for a school like VCU to have a chance to win it all. VCU winning it all makes March Madness that much better. Additionally, it might be the best underdog story we as sports fans could see in any level. I will always root for that story over seeing two snakes winning, and sure that guy from Indianapolis wouldn't be bad story either.
March is always special, but this one will always be remembered.
-Charlie.
