For college basketball fans, March is more than just another month; it is the beginning of the most unpredictable and exciting tournament in sports. On March 15, also known as Selection Sunday, 68 teams got selected to compete in the Men’s March Madness tournament. Though top seeds are projected to cut down nets in the final championship game, previous years have shown that underdogs can certainly find their way to the top.
This tournament is filled with top athletes and NBA prospects, including Duke power forward Cameron Boozer. Boozer was the ACC Player of the Year and is one of the front-runners for the national player of the year award. Breakout freshman from the University of Arkansas, point guard Darius Acuff Jr., is expected to make his mark on the tournament as well. Acuff was SEC Player of the Year and averages 22.7 points per game for the Razorbacks. Another freshman phenom, BIG 10 Freshman of the Year, small forward Aj Dybantsa, leads BYU in scoring, averaging 23.5 points per game.
In the bracket selection, four teams were selected as the No. 1 seeds in each region. Duke, Florida, Arizona, and Michigan, four impressively stacked teams, were all selected as the first seed in the tournament, earning a bye-week for the first round of play.
“I think Arizona is going to win March Madness,” varsity basketball coach Emily Thompson said. “They [were] a very solid team all year long, and their conference was loaded this year with good games throughout the regular season to prepare for March.”
Players like Jaden Bradley and Brayden Burries lead the dominant Arizona team. The group is a very strong defensive team, with Moteijus Kricvas being one of the best defenders in the Big 12. The Wildcats won their first 23 games of the season and are looking to continue their winning record into the NCAA tournament.
“I think VCU is going to go far in the tournament,” junior Kevin Reyes said. “Although they are an 11 seed, their defensive culture causes many turnovers and Terrence Hill is a threat on offense.”
In 2011, Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) was set to play in the First Four game, a play-in game for teams who are fighting for a chance to officially enter the tournament, and the Rams went all the way to the final four that year. VCU’s run was one of the craziest Cinderella runs in the history of March Madness, leading some fans to think the team might run it back this year. Although VCU is a small school in comparison to other schools in the tournament, they are dedicated underdogs and true fighters that wont let a seeding define them.
“My biggest upset is Kennesaw State beating Gonzaga,” junior Carter Burnes said. “I don’t think Gonzaga is as good as people make them out to be.”
Supporting teams in March Madness is a thrilling experience. It is more than just about the games; this tournament brings schools and people together through shared passion. Whether a team is an underdog or a No. 1 seed, the sense of community shines through this incredible sporting event.
The semifinal and championship game will take place in Indianapolis, Indiana at Lucas Oil Stadium. The semifinal will be on Apr. 4 and the final will be on Apr. 6, streaming on Paramount+.
