Why I Love March Madness

I am a little behind on this post, but I have been sleep deprived and in basketball overload for a few weeks now.

Well, I don't think that 2 games could've ended in crazier, more exciting fashion than the UCLA v Gonzaga and Texas v West Virginia games did. It was probably some of the best basketball I have watched all year.

I will say though that the sight of Morrison on the floor in tears was a bit heartbreaking -- even if he helped knock out my favorite Musketeers in the first round -- I still felt bad for the kid. (I know that many a sports writer has debated the very punny "no crying in basketball" theory, but frankly, the kid is in college, he just lost a huge game in front of a lot of people, he is already a wee-bit emotional and he is probably spent. So he fell to the floor and cried. So what. I'd take that over ambivalence any day.)

Back to Morrision on the floor and in anguish...Nat and I kept wondering why no one would go help him off the floor. His teammates seem to be oblivious and far away. It was all very strange. However, skimming the next day's news, it seems that someone (Afflalo) did offer a helping hand -- it just didn't get shown in the replay...

And that one gesture is why, I love March Madness - for all its crazy upsets, amazing shots, fierce competition -- there is an underlying sportsmanship that is awesome.

And so I will continue to watch, depriving myself of sleep and my body of nutrition (damn bar food; damn beer)! , because it is the best sports competition there is...congrats UCLA, Texas, LSU, Memphis, Florida, George Mason (yes, I wrote George Mason), UConn, Villanova...see you in the next round.

Side Bar: I wrote this before the Saturday / Sunday games. I will say, the games just keep getting better. A final four in which none of the Number 1 Seeds made it? To Hell with my brackets! Go George Mason! Go Florida! Go LSU! Go UCLA. (I should mention that UCLA was the only one I actually picked correctly. Oh well. I am a Cubs fan and there is always next year!