Cory Walker

Contributing Writer

csw5150@psu.edu

It’s that time again. It’s time for the fireworks, the mayhem, and the fairytale stories. Conference tournaments have been won. Teams have been selected and seeded. Matchups have been made. The field of 68 has begun play in what is, for some, the most important moment, thus far, in their lives. This is what collegiate athletes live to do. The stage has been set. The bright lights are shining. It’s time for these boys to become men, for these everyday people to become stars. Some will get a huge spotlight. Some will get only noticed once. For some, though, that’s all they need. It only takes one moment to do something legendary. It only takes one moment to be remembered. There will be mascots. There will be upsets. There will be popcorn, Cinderellas and buzzer-beaters. There will be tears of joy and tears of sorrow. For some, there will be a future at the professional level. For some, this tournament will be the furthest they get. All in all, though, these are the things that define the nationwide phenomenon known as March Madness.

This tournament isn’t just for the players, though. Every year, millions of hopeful people do diligent research and watch countless hours of college basketball in hopes of filling out a bracket which will make them rich. This has been a tradition and staple of sports gambling for many years. Of course, you don’t have to wager money to achieve this. Websites and applications like ESPN, Yahoo, and CBS Sports, along with many newspapers, host contests every March, some for money and some for free, but everyone has an equal chance. That is primarily because nobody knows who’s going to win. Nobody can accurately predict every game of the tournament. Sure, you can take advice from sports experts and analysts, each of whom claim their bracket is the most accurate, but, in reality, the best you can hope for is to get the most games correct, or earn the most points, not perfection. The chances of that go to numbers I can’t even say. Every year, though, we return for another chance at glory, mainly because it’s just so thrilling. The unexpected can give you adrenaline, make your heart beat faster and put you on the edge of your seat. Is it worth it? In my opinion, it absolutely is.

It’s time to buckle up, folks. This crazy weeks-long thrill ride is about to begin. What my advice is, though, is to prepare accordingly. It truly is a roller coaster. There will highs and lows, celebration and frustration, bragging and ripping up brackets. For the teams playing, there will be three-pointers, dunks, and circus shots, but there will always be air-balls, blocked shots and turnovers. That’s why they call it “madness”. Sixty-eight teams will enter, but 67 will go home disappointed, having fallen short of the championship. For us fans and contest participants, only a select few will become richer or have bragging rights. Most will have to throw away their brackets and wait until next year. I hope that you’re all ready, because the most surreal sports experience of the spring is here. There’s no holding back now. Enjoy it while you can, because while it’s not as rare as a full solar eclipse, it does only come once a year. Embrace it in a way only you know how to do it.