As March 19 – the day when NCAA’s March Madness tournament begins – approaches, a feverish frenzy grips the nation, captivating sports enthusiasts and casual fans alike. Basketball courts are soon to become battlefields, and games are soon to become nail-biting thrillers.
March Madness began in 1939, and the first NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament comprised just eight teams. Over the decades, the tournament expanded, drawing more teams and fans into its orbit. Cinderella stories, underdog triumphs, and buzzer-beating moments contributed to its allure, transforming it from a sporting event to a cultural phenomenon.
“I think one reason that high-stakes games go down to the wire is the whole mentality of ‘one-and-done’. It gives both us and our opponents a sense of urgency to win, and that just ends up being a really close game,” said AV Varsity Basketball Team Captain Ori Khasin (‘24).
The main reason that there is so much craze around March Madness is that every game seems to go down to the wire. The unpredictability keeps fans on the edge of their seats the entire time.
“The crowd is super super important to our games. Even if there is pressure with so many eyes watching, it honestly makes me, and I think the rest of the team as well, step up our game and really try to win. March Madness games always being so close is definitely not a coincidence,” said AV Varsity Basketball Member Joshua Antony (‘24).
March Madness also appeals to not only basketball enthusiasts, but casual fans as well. So many people flock to TV screens simply because of the excitement of filling out brackets, predicting upsets, and rooting for underdog teams.
“Even though I don’t really play basketball or watch it all that much on the regular, I really do enjoy March Madness games. Every year, I get my hopes up by filling out a bracket. But even when my bracket eventually fails I still enjoy watching the tournament because of all the wild endings. I don’t have to play basketball to feel the pressure through my TV screen,” said March Madness enthusiast Krishi Jaladi (‘24).
As March Madness unfolds once again, it reminds us of the enduring power of sports to unite, inspire, and entertain. Beyond the buzzer-beaters and bracket-busters lies a cultural phenomenon that embodies the spirit of competition, resilience, and drama. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a newcomer, one thing is certain: you will be in a craze for March Madness.
