March Madness!

It's the most wonderful time of the year! (I was singing that, in case you couldn't tell from the sterile emotions that a keyboard elicits - yes, I was singing the Christmas tune). Woooooooooo! It's March! This is the best month of the year, as you would know if you read my rankings of the months, which was on this blog but I am too lazy to link to right now. Oh March 2009, how I love thee; let me count the ways!

1. The Weather - I'm no fan of winter. I don't like cold. I resolved back in May that I wouldn't allow the weather to dictate my happiness, and I've been pretty good on that, but still...nobody likes winter. You are lying if you say you do. March is when the pattern finally breaks; when we are reminded that there are things other than snow, frost, frozen nostrils, and seeing your breath. There are still remnants of the winter (see: this morning), but that is what makes March great: it has such a personality. It's a little like Jekyll and Hyde, which is how I see myself...which might help to explain why I feel its such a glorious month.

2. The Basketball - Oh, the basketball! It's such a simple game, and I know there are people out there who don't like it; I don't know how they don't like it, I just know they don't. Consider the basketball schedule for every week and weekend this March.

First week (Mar 2-8) - Final week of the regular season. Many things are decided here in the major conferences like the Big East. Where will my Panthers end up seeding-wise for the Big East tourney? As a fan, I have dual rooting interests here. I root for the regular season conference championship, obviously, because that's what you play for: championships. However, the #1 seed plays a noon game in the Big East tourney. I work...therefore, I don't mind if they get the #2 or #3 seed, which play at 7 and 9 pm respectively (but I'm getting ahead of myself). That is all to be decided this week, when the Panthers play top 15 Marquette and #1 UConn, both at home. Quick question: what has two thumbs and will be at both of these games? Answer: THIS GUY! (Quick realization: that doesn't work over the computer). Also in this first week of March, the smaller conferences begin their conference tournaments. These are the most fun. I have made it a life goal of mine to see all 31 conference tournaments in person. So far, I have seen I think 4: Big East, America East, Patriot League, Ohio Valley. I am going over to Robert Morris for a game or two of the Northeast Conference Tournament, which will be#5. These tournaments are so sweet because you see teams that are legitimately excited to win, and you always get teams that come from nowhere to steal an automatic bid from the NCAA tournament. When those teams do the March Madness dance on the court...I get tears.

Second week (Mar 9-15) - This is when the Big Boys come out to play. All of the major conference tournaments start between Tuesday and Thursday of this week. The basketball is at a major high. In fact, if I'm being honest, Championship Week is probably my favorite week of the year. So much at stake, so much good basketball. I really try not to leave my house during March. It's just a bad idea. The week culminates at 6pm on a Sunday (one of the only things ever known to make a Sunday night bearable): the NCAA selection show. Who's in? Who's out? Who are the one seeds? Who's playing where? It's probably the most fun administrative show that's ever been created. Literally the best hour of the year. EVERY YEAR.

Third week (Mar 16-22) - Now we get to the nitty gritty. Everybody is in a daze Sunday night, but Monday morning, everyone is back in form. Brackets are printed out en masse, and people start analyzing every matchup.

"Well, Cornell is a smart team...but they are playing the only other smart team in the tournament, Stanford. Plus playing in California is a bonus for the Cardinal; Cornell travels across the country."

"I like Long Beach as a sleeper. They can really shoot the three, and Vandy has trouble defending. I like the 49ers in the upset!"

"Memphis, I don't trust them as a #1 seed. I think they could lose to McNeese State!"

Seriously, from Sunday night until Thursday morning I will probably have 15 conversations and spend about 5 hours dissecting the field with friends like Keith, Colin, Greg, Chris, Luke, etc. This doesn't include the seemingly countless emails that will be sent. We will all make arguments for why we have X going to the Sweet 16 (and by X, I mean fill in the blank, not Xavier). Then, on Thursday, the fun starts. As two days go, Thursday and Friday of the tournament are unbelievable. I will always in my work life save two vacation days for these two days, because I just won't be able to work knowing that Coppin State is in the process of upsetting a 2 seed like South Carolina. I just can't do it. The first weekend of the NCAA tournament...continues the trend of the month.

Final week (Mar 23-29) - Now is when the big boys play, again. The Sweet 16 matchups pit great teams against each other, seeing which comes out on top. Hopefully this will be the year when my favorite team advances beyond this round.

If you couldn't tell, I ran out of energy talking about basketball there. It's mentally exhausting!

One more reason why I love March before I go:

3. Spring training - baseball starts, and I love baseball. In fact, it's hard for me to pick what I like more, basketball or baseball. I would guess I love whatever season it is more. Anyway, hope springs eternal in March for all teams, even the Pirates.

Well, that was an uneven analysis of why I love March. There are many other reasons, but I think this is enough! March Madness baby! Woooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!