Maximum Sports Blog

BY MAX BERMAN

Now that everyone has had a week to get over all the hype that this year’s college basketball tournament had to offer, I’d say its safe to talk about it. Last year I said the tournament truly lived up to its name of March Madness, but I think everyone can agree that this year’s tournament tops it.

In the round of 64, not only were there insane upsets such as Morehead State knocking out the fourth seed Louisville Cardinals on a three point game winning shot, but there were also game winners like Butler beating Old Dominion University and Temple beating Penn State. Because of two of those game winning shots, I was already down. I had Louisville going to the sweet sixteen. And I had Butler losing in the first round. Right there I had a bad feeling about my bracket this year. Also, a blowout by VCU over Georgetown set me back as I had VCU losing in the first round.

Moving on to the round of 32, once again VCU took points away from me by blowing out Purdue who I had going to the elite eight. Syracuse lost to Marquette; I had the Orange in my Final Four. Arizona beat Texas; I had the Longhorns going to the next round. Butler beat Pittsburgh, and this was bad for me on a number of levels. Not only did I have the Bulldogs losing in the first round, but also had the Panthers from Pittsburgh in my Final Four. When the round of 32 was over, I only had two teams in my Final Four left.

In the sweet sixteen, I was getting a bit nervous. The two teams left in my Final Four were Kansas and Connecticut. In fact that was my championship game. So I still had my champion left. But so did other people, Ohio State was taking over the first few rounds. Kentucky was doing well, Kansas was winning and so was Duke, Well, the sweet sixteen did some bad stuff for other people, but not me. Those who picked Ohio State to win it all, were done once the Wildcats of Kentucky beat them. Those who picked Duke to win it all, were also done when Duke got upset by Arizona. When I saw Kansas had to play Richmond, I was feeling good, and focused on my other championship team Connecticut, who had to play San Diego State. Kemba Walker put the team on his back with thirty-six points as they moved on.

In the elite eight, I had no one remaining in the East bracket.  In the Southwest bracket I still had Kansas.  In the Southeast, I still had Florida, and in the West I still had Connecticut. Well for me it didn’t matter who won the East and the Southeast because my Final Four teams from those brackets were already out. But I took another big loss when VCU upset Kansas to head to the Final Four. This year’s Final Four had Kentucky, VCU, Butler, and my champion, Connecticut. Yes people, I chose Connecticut to win the National Championship. Well, who would have thought that on one side you’d have Kentucky and Connecticut and on the other, VCU and for the second straight year, Butler. Well, my hopes were still alive to win my pool because Connecticut beat Kentucky and then had to face Butler who finally ended VCU’s magical run.

In the Championship game, Connecticut and Butler both struggled shooting the ball. Thankfully for me, the Huskies were able to pull out the win. This is my first time actually choosing the correct winner as I have found it extremely hard to do. With all these upsets and wild finishes, I think this year’s college basketball tournament was one of the craziest ones ever played. Of course there are others who could have an argument over this one, but if someone says this wasn’t truly mad, they obviously weren’t watching.

I’m Max Berman, and that’s what I think.