Behind The Bracket | PG 2 The Power Of An Underdog | PG 10

The Final Four Things To Know | PG 12

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M A R C H M A DN E S S // MA R CH 2 5, 2 016

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BENJAMIN MURRAY
Benjamin is a freshman studying broadcast journalism.
You may contact him at bemurray@mix.wvu.edu.
Indiana

March Madness:

Behind The Bracket

The phenomenon that is March Madness
Its that time of year again, folks! As the calendar flips from February to March,
there is one thing on every sports fans mind; March Madness. Its the time of year
where people all over the country fill out their brackets to what they believe will
happen throughout the chaos that is the NCAA Mens Basketball Tournament.

IU TRADITIONS
CARRY ON THROUGH
MARCH MADNESS

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3

CAL BASKETBALL GEARS UP FOR

UPCOMING MARCH MADNESS TOURNAMENT

15
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14

THE CELEBRATIONS
OF A UD COMMUNITY

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SPORTS

People of all different backgrounds partake in this national event. It doesnt matter
if you follow college basketball or just print one out to get in on the fun, nearly
everyone has filled out a bracket at least once in their life. Theres plenty of strategies
behind picking the winners, which range anywhere from breaking down the numbers
to picking the teams based on colors and mascots. Some people will even flip a coin
to pick their winning bracket.
Even with so many people filling out brackets each year, not one person can
say theyve picked every winner of every game. It has never been done. What are
the odds of actually filling out a perfect bracket? Im glad you asked. The odds of
picking every game in the tournament right is 1 in 9,223,372,036,854,775,808. For
those of you who dont know how to say that number, its 9.2 quintillion. Yeah, its
nearly impossible.
Some Duke professors actually came up with their own formula based on the fact
that no 16 seed has ever won a game and the probability based on seeding and a
bunch of other stuff that overanalyzes it more so than actually filling out the bracket.
They say your odds are 1 in 2.4 trillion, but when can you actually say the number
9.2 quintillion?
This phenomenon has gotten so large that Warren Buffet is offering any of his
employees one million dollars a year for the rest of their lives if they can pick the
first two rounds with no losses. That is actually a completely plausible scenario and
I think we may see someone coming out a winner. This is an easier version of his
one billion dollar offer to anyone who could pick the entire tournament correct last
year. But, as weve learned, you dont really stand a chance.
Some food for thought about March Madness, over 40 million people will fill
out a bracket and about $9 million will be bet on the tournament. According to a
Yahoo sports poll, roughly 14% of fans will take a sick day to watch the games, and
MSN says that 56% will spend at least one hour at work watching the games. I still
remember sitting in English class my junior year in high school hiding a phone under
my desk so that I could watch a game with my buddy. March truly makes people mad.
Speaking of mad, the games are devastating. Most people will burn their bracket
after the first round. Upsets are inevitable, and most people wont see them coming.
This leads to frustration and plenty of
heartbreak not just for the fans, but
for random people who just picked
that team to win.
Nonetheless, March is here
and we are in for a treat.
There have been more upsets
throughout the year than any
other year and there is no clear
front-runner to take the title. With
that being said, prepare for plenty
of madness this March.

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Cal Basketball Gears Up For Upcoming

March Madness Tournament

KATARINA CHURICH
Katarina is a freshman studying
political science and media
studies. You may contact her
at kchurich@berkeley.edu.
Cal Berkeley
Junior Sam Singer offers insight on the 2015-2016
season thus far.
The California Mens Basketball team has had an
outstanding 22-9 record this season (12-6 in the Pac-12),
earning significant victories over successful programs
such as University of Arizona, Oregon, Utah, St. Marys,
UCLA, and Stanford. As they prepare for the 2016 NCAA
March Madness tournament, Junior Sam Singer sheds light
on the Bears outstanding performance and aspirations
for the upcoming games. This year we have really been
defending well and sharing the ball more, he explains.
Weve made it hard for opponents to score and weve
been more efficiently offensively.

ODYSSEY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA

Like many of his teammates, Singer dreamed of opportunities

like this at a young age. I started playing basketball for as long
as I can remember. My dad told me a story where we were
watching the movie Hoosiers and after I went outside and tried
to shoot like [the main character] Jimmy Chitwood. When
asked about his biggest mentor growing up, he responds,
My grandfather really was an inspiration to me. Also my
high school coach invested so much time and energy into
me so I could be successful. I dont think I can repay him for
everything he did for me. Sam is known on the team for his
coach-on-the-court mentality, as he says he most identifies
himself with former Phoenix Suns player and two-time NBA
MVP Steve Nash. He was so good at making his teammates
better and running his team, Singer explains, which are
qualities he strives to emulate.

Playing all over the country entails struggling to find

time to make up schoolwork, especially for student-athletes
at a prestigious school like Cal. However, the team holds
mandatory study halls while traveling and always has
academic coordinators on the road with them to proctor exams
if needed. Singer assures that while balancing basketball and
studying can be difficult, their coaches continuously emphasize
the importance of staying on top of their schoolwork.
The Golden Bears last appearance in March Madness
occurred in 2013, losing in the round of 32 (Second Round)
to Syracuse, who would make it to the Final Four. Going into
the tournament this year, Singer says, We just want to take
it one game at a time and win as many games as possible to
make noise in the tournament. Theres no doubt Cal will make
this statement judging by the success theyve proven thus far,
especially with young scorers such as nationally recognized
top recruits Ivan Rabb (All-Pac-12 Second Team and Freshman
Team) and Jaylen Brown (Pac-12 First Team, Freshman of the
Year, Freshman Team) along with the excellent play of Senior
Tyrone Wallace (Pac 12-Honorable Mention) and Junior Jabari
Bird. After their overall 18-15 record last year, the team has
high hopes that their improvement will continue. I admire
all of my teammates, Singer admits. Everyone really puts
the time in on and off the court to be successful. I am proud
of each of them for their work ethic and how much time they
dedicate to being successful as a team.
With an undefeated home record this season (18-0) which
matches the undefeated mark of the 1960 Bears (13-0) who
that year made it to the NCAA Finals, we only hope that this
years players achieves that the same amount of success in
the tournament.

SPORTS

IU Traditions
Carry On Through

March Madness

When my brother went to IU in 2000, he said they would always make time
to watch the games no matter what they had to do the next day. Whether it was
studying or homework, everything stopped for basketball.
Alumnus Michael Bartiss, BS Class of 75, thinks back to when he attended IU
and what he experienced as a student during the basketball season
[Everyone had] great enthusiasm and there was a constant topic of casual
conversation. The typical Hoosier understanding of basketball and their critical
evaluations of the teams play was quite remarkable Bartiss said.
Now that IU is entering March Madness some newer alumni reflect on how they
celebrated the season. Kristin Hunter, who graduated last year explains
her excitement during the first few years at IU.
I would say especially my freshman and
sophomore years, my friends and I would
all get together and watch the games no
matter what else we had to do. If we had
school obligations, watching IU play
came first Hunter said. Its basically
a religion to watch, cheer, and scream
for our team. We would all have our
IU gear on, and everything else
about life didnt matter for those
two hours. Its that intense.
Now while she is a first year
medical school student at Indiana
University School of Medicine
in Indianapolis, Hunter still can
cheer on her Hoosiers.
Now, since Im such a huge
fan and most of my friends are
also IU alums, not much has
changed. As medical students,
we dont have much time to do
anything but study, but we all
make time to watch and put the
books down when a game is on
Hunter said.

Let the madness begin!

Its that time of
SARAH HUNKER
year again, where the
weather gets a little
warmer and the Indiana
Sarah is a sophomore studying
Hoosiers take on March
journalism and public relations.
Madness. Even though
You may contact her at
there isnt tailgating like
shunker@umail.iu.edu.
during football season,
Indiana
students still celebrate the
accomplishments of their
beloved Hoosiers. Its
hard to walk around and not notice a sea of red and stripes on campus, especially
on Kirkwood.
Not only do we get to cheer on the new Big Ten champs, but we can do so
through fun traditions. Whether its alumni, or current students, IU carries so
many traditions during all sporting events. Having family who have attended
IU during its earlier years, they say that they are sure traditions have changed.
Some carry on, and some new traditions surface.

SPORTS

Basketball has that big of an

impact on its students here at IU.
Not only do students watch the games
with friends, a bigger tradition has
emerged called breakfast club. Students
of age can go out to bars at extremely early
hours of the morning to start celebrating the
game later that afternoon. One of its hot spots
would be, Kilroys on Kirkwood.
Senior Maeve Bartiss, daughter of Alumnus Michael Bartiss, also partakes in
this celebration when she can.
People get up at 5:30 or 6 a.m. to stand in line for at least a couple of hours,
but the atmosphere when you get in is so positive, and everyone is so psyched
about the game Bartiss said.
Bartiss grew up in North Carolina and chose to become an Indiana Hoosier
for her collegiate career. Even though she has been to a lot of celebrations back
home, nothing beats how IU celebrates and cheers on its team, and of course
the Purdue rivalry!
Being from North Carolina I grew up in a pretty heavy basketball state, but
the Indiana Purdue Rivalry is like nothing I have ever seen.
While students will continue to cheer on IU during March Madness, the team
will hopefully power through the bracket and make us all proud Hoosiers, no
matter where we all may be after we graduate.
Even though I grew up in North Carolina, I will always be an Indiana Hoosier
at heart Bartiss said.

FOR FULL STORIES, GO TO www.theodysseyonline.com

Why Iowa Needs To

Salvage Its Season
In March Madness
The season isnt over yet.
As March rolls around, the
CLAYTON ROSINSKI
sports world is dominated by the
annual NCAA Mens Basketball
Tournament. This event is known
Clayton is a junior studying
for largely unpredictable games,
biology and biochemistry.
which are always competitive.
You may contact him at
When people think of The
clayrosinski@gmail.com.
University of Iowa sports, they
are most likely to think of football
Iowa
and wrestling. But recently, Iowa
has been making a name for itself
in the sport of basketball. This year will mark our third straight appearance in the tournament, which
had not been reached since 2006. In order to keep our team relevant in the world of college basketball,
we will need to perform much better in the tournament than in years past.
Our basketball team has unfortunately earned the reputation as a team that chokes. In the
2013-2014 season, our team had been ranked 10 in the nation two weeks in a row, only to end the
season losing seven of their last eight games, including the Big Ten Tournament and the NCAA
tournament. Our stock had dropped so low in the last weeks of the season that we were given
an 11 seed, which required us to have a play in game for the tournament. We went on to lose this
game to Tennessee, marking our fourth consecutive loss.

9 Celebrity UK

Basketball Fans
ALEXANDRA BURNS
Alexandra is a sophomore
studying arts administration.
You may contact her at
apbu224@g.uky.edu.
Kentucky
Because the Big Blue Nation spans farther than
Kentuckys boarders.
With March Madness starting soon, college basketball fans around the
country are gearing up for their favorite teams to win and the teams they
hate to fail. In Kentucky, March Madness is not just a tournament it may
as well be a holiday. UK basketball is not an athletic program, it is a dynasty.
UK is the most successful basketball program in NCAA Division I history,
so its no surprise that the cats have caught the attention of celebrities. In
the spirit of striving for 9, here are nine notable UK Basketball fans.
1. Drake
Probably one of the most recognizable UK fans, rapper Drake
does not hide his love for the Wildcats. In fact, this past summer,
Drake was presented with cease and desist from UK for recruiting
violations. He was also a special guest at Big Blue Madness in 2014
and introduced Coach Cal via video for BBM in 2015.
It doesnt stop there either: Drake has immortalized the Kentucky
Wildcats in his music. In 6 Man from the album If Youre Reading This
Its Too Late, UK Wildcat turned NBA star DeMarcus Cousins is referenced.

Last year, in the 2014-2015

season, our basketball team
struggled a bit in the regular
season, only being ranked
in the top 25 for two weeks.
Nevertheless, we were rewarded
with a 7 seed. This year, we
actually won our first round game
against Davidson, but largely failed
to show up in the second round.
We lost to Gonzaga by 19 points,
resulting in another quick postseason
appearance. Again, we failed to show
up in games that mattered, losing in our first game of the Big Ten Tournament, and then losing big
to Gonzaga in a game that could have helped put us on the map.
For a while this year, it seemed like our basketball team was the real deal. We were ranked in
the top ten for six straight weeks, peaking at a number three ranking. But then, we stumbled. We
ended the season losing five of our last seven games. So, in effect, we have again set ourselves up
to fall apart at the end of the season. Fortunately, the season is not yet over, and we still have the
Big Ten Tournament and the inevitable NCAA Tournament to prove to everyone that we are a
legitimate basketball school.
We are off to a good start of bucking the choking label, as we just ended the regular season
with a much-needed win over Michigan. This game had high stakes for Michigan, as their shot
of getting into the big dance relied on winning this game. Jarrod Uthoff stepped up in a big way
with 29 points, looking like the player he was the first half of the season. This is a good sign going
forward for our team, as our team seems to live and die by Uthoff.
In order to salvage this season, and to prevent us from being written off so quickly in the future,
Iowa must perform well in not only the looming Big Ten Tournament, but also the NCAA Basketball
Tournament. At a minimum, I believe we should have the ability to advance to the sweet 16, and
at least keep that game interesting, if not take home a win.

Scholarships from the Drake and Future collaboration What

A Time To Be Alive also has a direct reference to Kentucky, with
Drake stating that he rocks Kentucky blue.
Drake also loves girls from Kentucky, in Company from If
Youre Reading This Its Too Late he explicitly states, I need a girl
from the country, I need a girl from Kentucky.
Its no secret that Drake loves Kentucky, and we love him right back.
2. Jay Z
After UK beat North Carolina in 2011, they had a special guest waiting
for them in their locker room. Rap mogul Jay Z was there to congratulate
the Cats while passing out handshakes and taking pictures. This picture
landed Jay Z in some hot water with the NBA since he was part owner of
the Brooklyn Nets and it is prohibited for team personnel to interact with
players who are not yet draft eligible.
He was fined $50K, which he detailed in his hit featuring Kanye West,
Paris from album Watch The Throne. So I ball so hard mother-----wanna fine me, first f------ gotta find me, whats 50 grand to a mother-----like me? Can you please remind me?
3. President Obama
Is it really a surprise that the leader of the free world would be a Cats
fan? In 2015, President Obama picked the Wildcats to take home the NCAA
tournament title.
After winning the title in 2012, the Wildcats took a trip to the
White House to present President Obama with a jersey and a
championship ring.
4. LeBron James

5. Ashley Judd
Probably Drakes only competition for Kentuckys number one
fan, actress Ashley Judd is practically Queen of RUPP Arena. UK
alum and Kappa Kappa Gamma sister, she is also the face of an
iconic UK Hockey poster.
6. Josh Hutcherson
Hunger Games star Josh Hutcherson is a Kentucky native and
makes no effort to hide that he bleeds blue. This iconic picture was
taken when he had the honor of performing the Y at a Kentucky vs
Louisville game. He went on to tell KY Sports Radio that performing
the Y was the single most proud moment that Ive had as a side
effect of my acting career.
On a side note, his Hunger Games costar Jennifer Lawrence,
another Kentucky native, is a Louisville fan. I wonder if that ever
made things awkward on set.
7. Steve Zahn
Dallas Buyers Club actor Steve Zahn is a UK fan and Kentucky
Sports Radio cites him as performing the most intense Y ever.
8. Wale
Presented with a jersey in 2012, rapper Wale stopped by to watch
a Wildcat practice while in Lexington for a concert at RUPP Arena.
Wale also referenced Coach Cal in his song Varsity Blues. The
reference goes as: They hate on Calipari, but I never seen the
problem, they get one season poppin, at least hes being honest.
9. George Clooney

NBA superstar LeBron James is no stranger to Kentucky. He has

participated in the iconic Y at games as well as has a pretty close
relationship with Coach Cal. In 2014, Cal and LeBron were seen
watching LeBrons son play basketball together.

George Clooney, who was born in Lexington, declared his love for
Kentucky basketball in an interview with Mario Lopez saying I watch
sports and it kills her [wife, Amal] because I got her into March Madness a
little. Im a huge Kentucky fan, so Im watching cause I think were gonna
win it, so she knows about the Harrison twins...

Not to mention that in February of 2016, UK got their very own pair of
shoes in the LeBron Zoom Soldier 9 series.

UK has no shortage of celebrity fans, obviously. Being a Kentucky fan

isnt just a hobby; its a lifestyle.

FOR FULL STORIES, GO TO www.theodysseyonline.com

500 WORDS ON

The Power Of
An Underdog
JAIME HEWITT
Jaime is a sophomore studying
broadcast journalism.
You may contact her at
jaimehewitt@email.arizona.edu.
Arizona
Who Will Be the Next Cinderella Story
A long shot, a dark horse, a David in the battle versus Goliath, little
guy, a bracket-buster, underdog. We love them and hate them all at the
same time. March is the time where these expected losers make a name
for themselves, exceed all expectations, and shock the world. There is a
reason why its called March Madness after all.
Only six No. 15-seeds and potential Cinderella stories have ever made
it past the first round of the NCAA Tournament, and zero No. 16-seeds
have been able to defeat a No. 1 seed in the history of the tournament.
Every year there are bound to be upsets, some more heart breaking than
others, and some that are just as shocking to the underdogs as they are
to bracket enthusiasts.

SPORTS

Often the power of these so-called underdogs is quite overlooked.

Underdogs not only have the potential to make a run for the title that no
one could have ever anticipated, but also have the potential to gain the
support of basketball fans nationwide. When teams are eliminated one
after the other, some people tend to root for the team that defeated their
alma mater, however March Madness is the exception. Since the chance at
achieving a perfect bracket are less than winning the lottery two times in a
row, when a top seed is eliminated and brackets are busted, fans cant help
but root for the teams capable of having story books written after them.
Perhaps one of the most devastating yet remarkable upsets from an
underdog in all of NCAA history was that of the 1983 Championship.
No. 6-seed NC State pulled off the upset of the century in one of the most
thrilling runs the tournament has ever seen when they defeated the very
heavily favored and No. 1-seed stacked with two eventual NBA Hall of
Famers- Houston. With Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler standing in
the way of a national title, this was a true David and Goliath scenario. The
game ended in an alley-oop at the buzzer from the Wolfpacks Lorenzo
Charles to win the game 54-52. NC State made their name known that
year, fought till the end in a series of nail-biters that enabled them to get
into the tournament and then go onto produce upset after upset while
there. The champions are still known today as the Cardiac Pack for their
style of play. Hearts may have been broken that day but history was made.
In 1986 No. 11-seed LSU defeated the reigning No. 1-seed Kentucky
powerhouse in the Elite 8 to advance to the Final 4, proving that there is
in fact a way to defeat this long-time basketball dynasty. For a short time,
LSU was believed to have some magic in them, until they came up short
on their way to the national title with a loss to Louisville.
In 1995 the UCLA Bruins won their 11th National Championship.
Just one year after, the team was seeded No. 4 going into the tournament
against No. 13-seed Princeton. Yup, you heard that right, Princeton. Ivy
League schools can generally be assumed the underdog in any stage of
March Madness, nonetheless they are rarely expected to even make it

out of the first round. Well Princeton pulled off an ugly but rewarding
upset against the reigning champs in 1996 that defined a key moment
in Ivy League history.
During the developmental stages of a Cinderella story, legends can
also emerge Legends that lead schools youve never heard of to be
the most popular search on Google for a short period of time. Legends
such as Steve Nash left his mark on the entire NCAA basketball scene
in 1993 when he enabled his formerly overlooked and uncelebrated
team, Santa Clara, to advance past the arguably untouchable Arizona
Wildcats. Arizona was seeded No. 2 at the time, while Santa Clara
barely made the tournament, seeded 15. Nash demonstrated his ability
to succeed under pressure by finishing free throws when the game was
on the line after shooting just 1-of-7 from the floor. Santa Clara went
on to defeat the Wildcats 64-61 that year.
More recently in 2014, the Duke Blue Devils were brought down
in the first-round by a team from the Atlantic Sun Conference that
the majority of the nation didnt even knew existed. Macon, GA is
home to the No. 14 seed team, Mercer that was responsible for ending
a phenomenal Blue Devil season leaving audiences speechless. After
the game, a senior from Mercer simply commented that this is what
March Madness was all about. Although Mercer did not prevail
much longer, this win alone was the schools biggest victory of all
time, enabling the five returning seniors on the team to leave a legacy
that will never be forgotten.
Underdogs inspire, they create lasting memories, and they give
people reason to believe that magic may exist, all while bringing people
from all regions together for just one short month.
Approximately 10% of the United States population is said to
participate in the bracket pool surrounding March Madness. If you
are a part of that 10%, be sure not to count out any underdogs. 2016
Could potentially be the year that magic happens.

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If Indiana And Kentucky Meet Again

Indiana looks forward to
seeing Kentucky Wildcats
once again on the court

ALEXA GRADY

December 10, 2011. The

date that is seared into
Alexa is a junior studying
the memories of IU Mens
sports broadcasting.
Basketball fans. On this chilling
You may contact her at
night, top-ranked Kentucky
alexagrady@yahoo.com.
traveled to Bloomington
with expectations to gain the
Indiana
win over unranked Indiana.
However, even though the
odds were against the Hoosiers, the true fans still stood in long lines impatiently waiting to
play the Wildcats. Indiana University students could feel a victory in their bones as Assembly
Hall was swamped with Hoosiers. The closing 121 seconds of the game had fans on their feet
with five lead changes. Hoosiers wanted that win more than they wanted anything else that
night and that is just what IUs Mens team did. Star athlete Christian Watford shot a 3-pointer
at the buzzer giving the Hoosiers the win with a final score of 73-72. The seats cleared as the
students rushed the court in disbelief. The historic rivalry between Indiana University and
University of Kentucky dates back to as early as 1924. Now, 5 years after the momentous win,
Indiana has clinched the Big 10 Championship title once again. As Selection Sunday approaches,
Hoosiers are once again at the edge of their seats waiting to see if they will duel it out once
again with Kentucky during March Madness.
We are in it to win it this year. The team has proven their ability this season and will prevail
with hopes of seeing Kentucky once again. We are ready for you. We are ready for Kentucky to
see how much IU Mens basketball has improved and how we are continuously bleeding cream
and crimson. The stigma of Kentucky basketball can be intimidating at times, however IU has
made their mark and will not be defeated this season. The Hoosiers ended their regular season
with being undefeated at their home court as well as head coach Tom Crean being awarded
Big 10 Coach of the Year. Way to go Hoosiers! The season will not only end but there will be 5
seniors that also end their college basketball career. Kentucky, Hoosiers have their head in the
game and we are waiting for tip off. If Indiana gets the chance to play the infamous Kentucky,
we will win. Put that in your bracket

FOR FULL STORIES, GO TO www.theodysseyonline.com

SPORTS

UConn Womens Basketball Team:

A Perspective From The Student Section
Sitting in the student
section of a college sports
game is truly unforgettable
when your team is defending
National Champions.
U-C-O-N-N! UCONN!
UCONN! UCONN!

GRACE GAGNON
Grace is a sophomore studying
communication and journalism.
You may contact her at grace.
gagnon@uconn.edu.
UConn

Youre standing in the

student section, covered head
to toe in UConn apparel. You
might even see some people
with their faces painted. The crowd is roaring and the game hasnt even started yet.The band
is playing, building up even more excitement with every beat of the drum. Then, Gampel goes
dark and the pre-game video comes unto the big screens. The music, the lighting, the smell of
popcorn, the cheerleaders...the atmosphere is unforgettable. Coming to these basketball games
remind you why you chose UConn. The energy in Gampel is electric as the players run out.
Then, the clock has ten minutes on and the game begins. You stand until the first basket is
made by UConn, but you are never actually standing for long because the women dominate
from the second the game starts.
You watch in awe as Breanna Stewart makes it look effortless to score nearly 29 points
in one game. You wonder how Moriah Jefferson is so fast. You could almost swear she flies
across the court. Katie Lou Samuelson, a six foot three freshman, scores almost every basket
she shoots.You watch the players create a synergy together on the court and their product
of their teamwork is excellence. Geno Auriemmas on the sideline, coaching his team up
to the last minute on the clock, even if they are already winning by 50 points. The integrity,

SPORTS

collaboration, motivation and skill of the UConn Womens

Basketball team and coaching staff as a whole is like a welloiled machine. The level of purpose with which these players
play the game explains why the UConn Womens Basketball
team has remained National Champions for 10 years now.
You look around Gampel and you see people
of all age groups - students, children and
even the elderly. People come from all over
Connecticut to support their beloved
UConn Womens basketball team.
Weve been National Champions 10
years in a row now and in the time,
weve built a community. As we
enter March Madness, many people
are curious if UConns Women are
headed for their 11th victory. Based
on this seasons stats, its safe to
make a positive prediction for the
Womens Basketball Team.
Heres Where We Stand:

Tweny-nine games into the season

and the women remain undefeated.
When the UConn women, win, they
dont just win by a hair...they go all out. On
November 16, they started the season off by defeating Ohio State 100-56. They beat their
seasonal point record of 100 on December 30th, 2015, when the team defeated Cincinnati
107-45. Usually, the women win by double of what the other team scored, except for
a few instances. On February 8th, 2016, the women won by only 12 points when they
played against South Carolina. But hey, its still a win in our records! By the looks of
these stats, our UConn Womens Basketball Team should have no problems making their
way to the championship.

FOR FULL STORIES, GO TO www.theodysseyonline.com

March Madness: The Nova

I spoke with some of the

Nova Nations biggest fans
about the NCAA tournament
and how they contribute to the
madness. Alison Walsh, a super
fan of Nova basketball and Josh
Hart, explained the excitement,
tradition, and pride in the student section going into March
madness: Growing up you see all the kids in the student section at
the games and on T.V, and you think about how cool it would be to
one day be in there, having fun and rooting on the Wildcats! The
rich history of Villanova basketball sees generation after generation
come through the student section, building up the huge fan base
that we see today. Alison also shared the importance of the exposure
Nova gets because of basketball: Being a medium sized school but
getting huge attention on a big stage like the NCAA Tournament
is something we are really proud of. The Wildcat pride is seen at
every single game, no matter where it is at, or who it is against. One
of the most exuberant nights in the Pavilion this season was the game
against Butler. I asked Alison what the energy was like at the game,
which was also on Senior Night : Oh my goodness it was craziness!
Everyone was so rowdy, the entire Pavilion was making noise at the
refs calls and chanting! I would say it was one of the highest energy
games of the season in the Pavilion. Especially since it was senior
night, and everyone was waving Arci and Ochefu posters around to
cheer them on when the game was close! Villanova-Butler games
have a history of being ugly, but that just makes them all the more
exciting and provides the opportunity for the student section to bring
out the wildcat claws and get loud and proud. She says the best part
of the game is the beginning when the players run through the
section and the end when they salute us. Its so awesome because it
shows how connected we are to the team and how they love us as
much as we love them.

Nations Mighty Meow

ALEX ZIMMERMAN
Alex is a freshman whose
major is currently undecided.
You may contact her at
azimmer7@villanova.edu.
Villanova
What a time to be a Wildcat.
It looks like the weather isnt the only thing heating up this
month; Villanova Basketball has had an exciting season and it just
keeps getting better. The question is, Will Villanova win it all? The
super-fans of the Villanova student section would bet their bottom
dollar that the Cats will go all the way. With the Wildcats ranked
by the AP Poll as number one in the nation for three consecutive
weeks, a major buzz of excitement and anticipation has been
pervading Novas campus. Villanova basketball brings out a spirit
of the student body that you cant help but embrace; it unites us all
through our common passion for Nova hoops. Whether the game
is at The Pavilion or the Wells Fargo Center, the student section is
a powerful force at our basketball games, bringing an energy and
excitement to the game that helps make Nova basketball what it is.

What It Means

To Be A Jayhawk

Madeline Cohen is also a proud member of the Nova Nations

student section, and loves to watch number three sink threes on the
court--she admires Harts growth as a player over the years as well.
When asking Madeline how it feels to have our schools team going
to March Madness, she explained the mixed feelings: Its definetly
super exciting, but it brings a lot of anxiety. As a super-fan, she has
high hopes for the Cats going into the tournament and taking it all the
way. She explained a major key to being a valuable fan in the student
section is to always keep up positive energy and be as hyped as you
can, no matter what is happening during the game. In regards to the
success of the team this year, she said it was such an exciting moment
when I realized how well we were doing this season. All my relatives
have said how special of a time it is to be at Nova right now, in the
student section, cheering on the best team in the nation. When I found
out we were Number One, it was one of the best moments ever. We
can all agree that knowing our team has held the top spot in the nation
for three straight weeks makes us feel extremely proud to be Wildcats.
Madeline says her favorite part of the game is when the dance cam
comes on: Im a pro at getting on the dance cam. Catch me on the big
screen at Wells Fargo when we are in the Sweet Sixteen!
One of the equipment managers for the team, Colin Ushkowtiz,
describes the atmosphere in the student section as beyond lit which
is quite accurate. Part of Ushkowtizs job at the Pavilion includes
setting up the whole arena. Then fixing the chairs during half time.
Then we start break down of the tables during second half. The
equipment team plays an important role in setting up the areas
during the games while also being some of the teams biggest fans.
After a successful Big East Tournament, the Nova Nation is
ready to make some noise and be a part of the madness at the
NCAA Tournament.
Welcome to March Madness. GO CATS!

A true Jayhawk bleeds

crimson and blue 365 days
a year
Being a Jayhawk means you
have a home in Lawrence, a place
so special that college students,
families and retirees alike all chose
this place to call their
own. A Jayhawk calls
Lawrence home even
if theyre halfway
around the world.

ALANA FLINN
Alana is a sophomore studying
journalism. You may contact
her at flinn.alana@gmail.com.
Kansas

A Jayhawk always pictures campus at its best: with the orange leaves lining
Jayhawk Boulevard on a perfect autumn day. A Jayhawk would climb 14th Street
to reach the campus they love so dearly.
Jayhawks have one religion: basketball at Allen Fieldhouse. They wave the
wheat packed in with 16,299 other Jayhawks and have the best home court
advantage in college basketball.
To be a Jayhawk, one must stay true to the crimson and the blue. Jayhawks
display their diplomas proudly on their office walls, sing Rock, Chalk, Jayhawk
to their children as a lullaby and raise their families on the tradition of watching
the basketball games together.
Jayhawks have a deep appreciation for traditions that have been rooted in the
Universitys history for nearly 150 years. They respect the history that happened
in the early days of Lawrence and know that Free State means much more than
just 10 types of craft beers.
Jayhawks have enough jerseys to clothe their own team, too many free t-shirts
to count handed to them during Hawk Week and at least three pieces of KU
memorabilia in their homes. They also wear their Jayhawk polo to work on
casual Friday.
Being a Jayhawk means playing two brackets during March Madness: one where
the Jayhawks win it all, and one where they at least make it to the Elite Eight. Being
a Jayhawk is always hoping this is the year for another one, Bill.

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SPORTS

Michigan State Madness

KACEY DAVIDSON
Kacey is a sophomore
studying journalism and media
information. You may contact
her at David214@msu.edu.
Michigan State
The Super Fans, the Panda, and the Polar Bear... Oh My!
March is officially here and there is no group of people more
excited for March Madness than the Spartans of Michigan
State. There is something about this tournament that increases
the competitiveness in each player on our basketball team and
in our basketball fans. We love being able to watch the teams
hard work from the season carry over into the tournament,
always giving us some exciting basketball to watch. With Mr.
March Tom Izzo as the head coach, we can guarantee he has
the men fully prepared to put the Madness in March and break
some hearts along the way.
With Michigan State having such a successful year for
sports, there is no doubt every State fan is expecting more
success during the tournament.
Being a student at Michigan State University is a blessing
because we are getting a great education and contributing to
our sports teams success with continuous school spirit and
support. Now that March Madness is here, the freshman are
getting excited for their first tournament as a student, and
the seniors are preparing for their last tournament and doing
everything they can to continue showing school spirit and
support to make it one to remember. It is pretty sweet for the
freshman to have such a great basketball team their first year
at MSU, and very bittersweet for the seniors to be spending
their last year in the Izzone with such a successful team.
I was lucky enough to talk to some freshman and senior
Super Fans to see what their thoughts were on this
year s tournament. These are the fans that go to every
game and contribute to the reason our student section,
the Izzone, is feared by many teams. You probably have
seen a couple of these super fans on the big screen doing
anything they can to stick out in the crowd and make
their school spirit known.
Senior advertising major David Weston (The Panda)
and senior kinesiology major David Berkompas (The Polar
Bear), are two of Michigan States biggest sports fans. They
are constantly shown on the big screen in the Breslin and
known around campus for wearing the polar bear and panda
costumes at the games. Other interviewees include senior

nursing major Rachel Pytel,

freshman accounting major
Nick Donley, and freshman
packaging major Brandon
Herold. Each of these students got to share with me their
love for March Madness and why Michigan State is going
to make a huge run in this tournament.
What do you love about March Madness?
Nick Donley, Freshman:
I love March Madness for a few reasons. First of all,
brackets. I fill out at least 20 brackets a year. Secondly, the
unexpected upsets get me pumped. But I think most of all, I
love the fact that I can sit in front of a TV, two computers, and
a phone and watch four college basketball games at once.
The Polar Bear David Berkompas, Senior:
I love March Madness because anything can happen. Huge
upsets and Cinderella stories are fun to watch, as well as filling
out brackets and competing for the best one with friends.
Which player are you most excited to watch during
the tournament?
Rachel Pytel, Senior:
I am most excited to watch Valentine and Forbes as they
continue to be a force together. Valentine is always helping out
wherever the team needs it whether it be with points, assists,
or rebounds. He is just a playmaker. When Forbes is on, he
is unstoppable. The two of them are a lethal combination.
The Panda David Weston, Senior:
For me, its Denzel Valentine. It seems every year a senior
guard takes over for MSU and plays out of his mind in the
tourney. Denzel is already doing that, so itll be cool to see
if he can turn it up even more. Also, Matt Costello and his
celebrations on the big stage.
What is Michigan States biggest advantage heading
into the tournament?

The biggest advantage is having a deep bench, their

experience, and having Mr. March Tom Izzo as their coach.
The Panda David Weston, Senior:
Ball movement. Everyone on the team is unselfish and is
a pretty good passer, so its hard to just focus on one player
to shut him down.
Nick Donley, Freshman:
MSUs biggest advantage is their versatilityI can
confidently say that there is no other team in the NCAA that
has the ability to stretch out a defense with transition points,
while also being able to consistently use the clock, feed the
post, and score.

The Polar Bear David Berkompas, Senior:

I think Bryn Forbes could be. He gets over looked
nationally, but when hes on his game he can shoot
better than anyone in the country.
The Panda David Weston, Senior:
Matty McBuckets. I dont know when, and I
dont know against who, but McQuaid is going to
break some teams hearts.

SPORTS

The Izzone is their secret weapon, obviously! They will

show up in numbers no matter where the team is.
Nick Donley, Freshman:
I think Bryn Forbes could definitely be a secret weapon for
MSU. That being said, Deytona Davis is much more under the
radar. With Costello being the strong man in the post, Deytona
is crucial when it comes to help defense. Also, he runs the
floor better than any other big man in the country, so he could
definitely be a secret weapon for State.
What is your favorite thing about Michigan State
basketball?
Brandon Herold, Freshman:
The legacy of MSU in March with Tom Izzo and being able
to be a part of the Izzone.
Rachel Pytel, Senior:
My favorite thing about MSU basketball is the environment
and community it creates for its fans. Being a part of the
Izzone has been one of the highlights of my college experience
and I am so happy that I had the opportunity to be in it for
four years.
Nick Donley, Freshman:
Its gotta be the Izzone. Being able to heckle the players is
pretty awesome, too. I think we definitely played a role in a
few games this year like Maryland and the No means No
chant at Rashed Sullimon and then the Nigel Nigel Nigel
chant against Wisconsin in a game where Nigel Hayes scored
a season low of five points. Just being a part of such a large
fan base is really cool.
The Panda David Weston, Senior:
The atmosphere at the Breslin. The Izzone struggled early
in the year, but I think we definitely turned it on down the
stretch. Just ask Nigel.
The Polar Bear David Berkompas, Senior:

Brandon Herold, Freshman:

Who, or what, is Michigan States secret

weapon?

10

Rachel Pytel, Senior:

I love the way that the team and student section work together
during the games. Were all like one big family and theres great
energy and camaraderie between everyone at the games.
The feeling all Spartans have during March is a feeling that
cannot be explained. The students and the players thrive off
each others energy, making the game as a whole lot more fun
for all the fans. We get this rush of energy whenever we watch
our team prepare for battle.
Nick Donley, Freshman:
I think this is our year. I really believe that State is the most
well rounded, complete team in the country I dont think
it matters if we end up a 1 seed, 2 seed or even a 5 seed. It
doesnt matter who were paired up against.
The Polar Bear David Berkompas, Senior:
I cant wait to see how were lined up in the tournament and
watch us go all the way! Ill be there to watch us win our last two
games in the final four and national championship no doubt.
The Panda David Weston, Senior:
This team is special, and fun to watch. Whatever
happens in the tourney, they have played some of the best
basketball I have seen in my four years here.
We are more than just fans, and they are more than just a
basketball team. We are family. We are Michigan State Spartans.

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A College Athlete Speaks

On The Pursuit Of A

National Championship
TAYLER HUGHES
Tayler is a junior studying
communication and medical
humanities. You may contact her
at Tayler_Hughes@baylor.edu.
Baylor
A look into the lives of college basketball players
Taurean Prince walks into class with his Baylor hoodie, some black
sweatpants, and Nike slides on. Prince, at 6-8, 220 pounds immediately
attracts attention as he walks into the room and grabs a seat. You can
hear students begin to whisper to their neighbor: Oh, he must have had
a fun night, or, Well, maybe he shouldnt have been goofing off with
his buddies.
But Prince, a senior from San Antonio, Texas, wasnt out partying
the night before, nor was he up late hanging out with friends. Prince is
a starting forward for the Baylor mens basketball team, which means
long hours every day spent perfecting his game when other students are
leading more typical college lives.

Being an athlete is very tiring and a lot of hard work, but I wouldnt
trade it for anything in the world, Prince said. Its early mornings and
late nights but the feeling I get when I run out onto the court and hear the
fans going crazy, that makes everything is worth it.
Life for Division-1 athletes can be a balancing act. Some students think
they have it rough when a busy schedule means getting their homework
done, attending club meetings, playing in an intramural game, and
then maybe running out to dinner with friends. Imagine tacking on
an additional four or more hours a day to train and practice, which not
only forces an athlete to wake up earlier but also leaves them physically
exhausted.
There are 351 NCAA Division-1 mens basketball teams nationwide
with an average of 16 players each and only 13 available scholarships for
each team. Thats 5,485 Division-1 athletes who wake up earlier, work
harder, and do more in a day than most college students can say. And
thats only basketball.
This past season, the Baylor mens basketball team recorded an
impressive 21-10 regular season record, which puts in them in the top 25
going into the NCAA tournament. Behind all the wins and loses, though,
people often dont get to see the athletes waking up early for practice and
having to stay up late in order to finish assignments and study for exams,
just like any typical college student. And its not just the Baylor basketball
players who are stretched for time.
Chris Horton, a starting forward for the Austin Peay mens basketball
team, said there are many times when hed like nothing more than a day
off. But then I look at my teammate[s] standing next to me and realize
thats why I play, Horton said. Im getting to do what I love and for a
lot of people, their dreams dont become reality.
Student athletes have to go to class for three or four hours a day like
every other student on campus, but they also have meetings and workouts

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after. They also have to make sure to do their homework and keep their
grades up. And they have to try to put in some time for their friends and
eating food here and there.
Niya Johnson, a Baylor senior and starting guard for the womens
basketball team, wakes up at 5 a.m. to head to a two-hour morning practice
session. She then goes to class, has weight training, eats dinner, and then
goes to mandatory study hours.
No, its not fun! I have no life! But no doubt, it is worth it, Johnson
said. Basketball is my passion and I would do anything to play.
Johnson estimates that more than percent of her day are spent focusing
on basketball, but believes that being focused at all times is what it takes
to be the best.
Being a college athlete is definitely not all that it seems. Some may see it
as glamorous, some challenging, but it is easily both of those characteristics.
Being a student athlete in college is extremely difficult, but I would not
change it for the world, Johnson said.
NCAA bylaw 17.02.1.1 states that athletes can only spend 20 hours per
week on countable athletically related activities, but for most college
athletes across the country, their lives are dictated by their sports.
While most Division 1 athletes wouldnt trade their unique opportunity
for a more relaxed lifestyle, some athletes get to experience the non-athlete
life when they get injured, but each one counts down the days until they
can compete again. Ennis, a guard for Oregons mens basketball team,
suffered a season ending foot injury a couple games into the 2015-16
basketball season and had a chance to live the life of an average student.
It was nice for the first couple of weeks, but Im seriously going crazy,
I miss it so much, Ennis said. Being a student athlete has taught me time
management, accountability, and how to be a leader.

SCENE

11

The Final Four Things To Know

A crash course on March
Madness in Aggieland.

AMANDA BURTON

On March 5, Texas A&M

defeated Vanderbilt, 7667, to clinch their first SEC
Amanda is a freshman studying
championship title. The
communication. You may
Aggies will head into March
contact her at amanda_
Madness with 24 wins under
burton@tamu.edu.
their belts, 13 of which were
conference games. As the
Texas A&M
maroon and white enter the
tournament, youll want to
know the basics. Here is a crash course on March Madness and what it means at Texas A&M.
1. What is March Madness?
The A&M mens team is a senior-heavy team with six members in their final year of
collegiate play. The Ags move the ball with the best in the country, sporting the fourth
highest assist average in the country. This teamwork and brotherhood came through in a
recent interview with University of Kentucky News following A&Ms win over Kentucky on
February 14. Freshman Tyler Davis was asked about his team and responded, We can play
with anybody. I know we can. I just believe in my teammates. I know we can compete with
any team in America so whoever we step on the court with, in my mind, Im ready to go to
war with my teammates. Hopefully this attitude and determination will show throughout
the rest of the season.
2. What is A&Ms history with March Madness?
The Aggies have yet to win a mens basketball title, but they are well on their way to building
a team that can. The mens team has earned a tournament berth 12 times, with this year being

12

SPORTS

the 13th. They have made an appearance in the Sweet Sixteen on three occasions, in 1967,
1980 and 2007.
3. How has the 12th Man played a role in the teams success?
During the senior players speeches, they thanked the students and the community for the
endless support and encouragement that they have provided this year. A&M has one of the
most dedicated, involved student sections in the nation. The Reed Rowdies are the number
one ranked student section in the SEC, and deservingly so. If the ball is in play, the students
are on their feet. The constant whoops, chants, and yells that come from behind both baskets
can be heard all over Aggieland. This season, the fans broke the school attendance record with
13,888 in attendance for the matchup against LSU. While the Aggies may have played their
last season game at Reed, the 12th Man will continue to stand behind their team throughout
the tournament.

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How Will Maryland Fare In The Tournament?

CONNOR BELL
Connor is a freshman studying
journalism. You may contact
him at cbterps@verizon.net.
Maryland
We get students answers....
Maryland students have mixed opinions about Marylands
chances in this years NCAA March Madness tournament.
Yes, Maryland made the tournament, but what happens now
when we take a closer look at their schedule from this past season?
For the Terps, a magnifying glass over their schedule reveals that
their best road win has come against Wisconsin, whom they only
beat by a Melo Trimble buzzer beater, and a loss on the road to
Minnesota, the dead-last team in the Big Ten.
Due to their recent slump, Maryland student and basketball fan
Michael Cassano does not have very high hopes for the Terps, I
think theyve played inconsistently, they werent great all year.
The Terps, who finished the last seven games of the season 2-5,

just finished third in the Big Ten Conference after

they were picked to win the conference earlier
this year.
However another Maryland student
feels that predictions for the Terps
dont even matter in the first place,
I know its cheesy, but I dont think
rankings matter, it is all about
how well you play no matter
who youre up against said
Sophomore Briana Provost.
Regardless of what anyones
opinion is, Maryland needs
its star Melo Trimble to play
exponentially better. The loss of
Deon Wiley in the backcourt has
forced newcomer Jaylen Brantley
to make sizeable contributions to the
floor, when he actually does see the
court. Maryland has very large depth
when it comes to its big men down low in
Diamond Stone, and Robert Carter Jr., but it is
interesting to see how just one injury to Deon Wiley
can change the way their whole offense is run.
Melo and Rasheed Sulaimon basically see the game on the court
every minute, which causes them to get exhausted and often commit

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turnovers. What they key here will be, is rest for Melo and Sulaimon
in some parts of the game, meaning the bench players like Jared
Nickens and Demante Dodd will need to step up in order to bring
home Marylands second national title.

SPORTS

13

The Celebrations Of A UD Community

SARAH SPECH
Sarah is a senior studying
English. You may contact her
at aspechs1@udayton.edu.
Dayton
It was such a Dayton response.
Two years ago, University of Dayton students saw their school put on
the basketball map. After a season with little promise of greatness and
little cause for notoriety, the mens Flyers basketball team got the chance
to play Ohio State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. And they
won, 60-59.
That win alone lead to enough school spirit to carry Flyer pride into
the next season, but the team had bigger plans. In the very next round,
the No. 11-seeded Flyers beat No. 3 Syracuse, 55 to 53, and then Stanford
82-72. The university just about lost it.
Natalie Kirland was a freshman at the time and remembers watching
the Syracuse game in a Founders common room. But after that win, she
and all of her friends ran immediately to the Student Neighborhood.
And by all of her friends, I mean the entire student body.Tom
Norton was a senior living on Kiefaber at the time. He said that as soon

14

SPORTS

as the buzzer went off, he and his

roommates got up screaming
and ran out the front door.
Norton remembers seeing other
houses empty onto their lawns
and everybody celebrating
together. And then all of a
sudden, it wasnt just a few
houses but what seemed like
every UD student crammed
into the 400 block of Kiefaber.

Im not a huge basketball fan, but that didnt matter. It just felt
like the entire UD community was there. It felt like we werent
such a small school anymore, Kirland said. You dont have to
know much about basketball or even have gone to a game to
feel it.
To beat Syracuse, which is such a name-brand basketball
school, it was just a huge thing, Norton said. I wasnt surprised
that everybody would go to the ghetto to celebrate.
In the aftermath of the Syracuse win, UD received national
attention for what the media called a riot. UD students strongly
disagree with that categorization. Kirland, Norton, and Phillips
all, without being asked, said that they hate the term riot to
describe the events. Instead, they prefer celebration.

It just somehow became the center point. It wasnt planned but

everybody knew to go there, Norton said.Ryan Phillips, the current
president of Red Scare, remembers everyone standing on lawns on either
side of the street before all of a sudden, they rushed into the street at the
same time. It was a move that showed the community what UD prides
itself on, proving to students and alumni that the buzzword thrown
around by the administration is more than just a marketing tactic. It is
a way of life.
It was just pandemonium, Phillips said. We ran out, and it was so
natural, and there wasnt anything forced about it. A bunch of people were
just so excited, and they didnt know what to do, so they ran to Kiefaber.
The wins were able to bring students together into one community no
matter the differences between individuals.
It was such a Dayton response, Norton said. There were flags being
waved, impromptu chants being led, and lots of screaming and jumping.
Flyer fans were ecstatic over their teams success and simply wanted to
celebrate with 8,000 of their closest friends.

And it was the epitome of celebrations. It wasnt just the first

big win over Syracuse that brought the community together.
The whole community thing really resonated throughout
that whole run. It was another thing for everyone to bond over,
Kirland said.
Unfortunately, such true celebrations probably wont happen
again for UD in the near future. Now that the basketball program
is established and seeing more regular success, big wins just arent
as surprising or exciting anymore.
As much as we love Flyer basketball, we also have come to expect
a good team. Last year during UDs March Madness run, there was
an attempt at a celebration like the ones in 2014, but students agreed
that it seemed forced. It was as if students knew people expected
them to react the same way, so they tried to live up to expectations.
Then again, if the Flyers were to become national champions ...
Dr. Dan might need to break out his crowd-surfing pants again.

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How To Fill Out A

March Madness Bracket

Its truly madness.

Not only is March one of

TREASURE WASHINGTON
the best months of the entire
year, its also the season
for college basketball
Treasure is a sophomore
tournaments. On Mar. 15,
studying mass communication.
2016, the first round of
You may contact her at
t h e N C A A To u r n a m e n t
twash25@tigers.lsu.edu.
starts at the University of
Dayton Arena in Dayton,
LSU
Ohio. Only 68 teams will
be chosen for Selection
Sunday to represent themselves in the tournament, and then they dwindle down all
the way down to the Final Four, the last two teams in the National Championship,
and the team that wins the National Championship. In other words, March Madness
is upon us.
To help keep track of all of these teams for each year, millions of people from across the
country fill out March Madness brackets. For those of you guys who have never filled out a
March Madness bracket before, here is a tutorial as to how to fill one out:
1. Print out your bracket
You can print out a March Madness bracket from many different websites. I would
recommend printing one out from websites like ESPN, CBS Sports or the official
NCAA website.

2. Pick which teams that you think will advance to the next round
Its good to pick the teams with the better records and place them in the Final Four. However,
thats not always the better case. Which leads me to my next point...
3. Pick a few upsets
Upsets can really mess up a persons bracket and keep it from being perfect. Its good to
pick a few upsets every now and then. Instead of the Texas A&M Aggies, pick a team like the
University of North Texas Mean Green. You probably have never even heard of them, and
thats okay. Your bracket may not be perfect in the end (and you may not win $1 million for
having a perfect bracket), but at least youre more bracket-savvy.
4. Pick your favorite team as well
Who says that our Tigers dont have a little fight left in them? Lets just cross our
fingers and hope that they get selected for this year.
5. Just have fun!
All of the games will be
played on various channels
throughout the rest of the
month. Just sit back, enjoy
some delicious food and
drinks, and expect the fact
that your bracket will never
be perfect. Once again, not
having a perfect bracket is
totally okay.
Happy March Madness!
And may the odds ever be
in your favorite basketball
teams favor!

40 Things That Will Happen To Your March Madness Bracket

3.

COLE THOMPSON
Cole is a senior studying
sports journalism. You may
contact him at CTThompson1@
crimson.ua.edu.
Alabama
Because March Madness isnt Crazy Enough
Its time of year again. That time where everyone will take a week off
of school and sit in front of a screen looking for answers. That time of
year where everyone has a chance to feel like they can talk sports. That
time of year where every is an expert in college basketball. Its March
Madness time.
Statically speaking, you have a better chance of getting stuck by lighting
and winning the lottery at the same time then having a perfect bracket
in the tournament. Hell, Warren Buffett last year made America go crazy
with his Billion Dollar Bracket Challenge. The thought of having 100%
on your bracket probably is a greater feeling then graduating Suma Cum
Laude from college.
If youre like me, your bracket is already beat to hell. Every year, we as
fans plan our bracket out and more then likely rip it up or burn it by the
start of the second week. Even though the tournament has started, heres
everything that will happen when during March Madness.
1.
2.

A team favorite to be a number 1 seed will drop a game in

their Championship.

4. There will be an upset team that will still fall short of

making The Dance

21. A top four seed will struggle against a lower seed.

22. The 3-14 matchup will almost always go down to wire.
23. Someones bracket will bust within the first several games.

5.

Someone will call it The Big Dance and fans will be confused

24. The 5-12 matchup is always a nail biter.

6.

Selection Sunday will be the First Time America becomes

obsessed with basketball this year.

25. A top 4 team will lose in the round of 64.

7.

One school will be robbed of going and Twitter will explode.

8.

1/2 the teams will already be decided before selection sunday

9.

ESPN will have started the Bracket Challenge commercials

two weeks in advance.

10. Someone will make their bracket within 5 minutes of

Selection Sunday.
11. Someone will literally pick every number 1 seed to go to
the Final Four
12. Someone will pick every seed to get upset before the Final Four
13. You will spend hours at a computer picking your bracket.
14. You will treat your bracket as if its the Holy Grail.
15. 1 game you will flip a coin to choose the winner.
16. Some will pick a 16 seed to beat a 1 Seed.
17. There will be a play in game for two 11 seeds and two 16 seeds.

Fans will watch almost every game of their Conference

Championship

18. The NCAA will call the play-in games the First Round.

A team that was favorite to go to the tournament will slip

up in their Championship

20. Everyone will watch the very first game of the tournament.

19. Fans will call the round of 64 The First Round.

FOR FULL STORIES, GO TO www.theodysseyonline.com

26. Fans will choose their Cinderella team to root for after the first round.
27. That Cinderella team will make it to the Sweet 16.
28. A number 1 or 2 seed will lose in the round of 32.
29. Tom Izzo will be hard to keep out of the Sweet 16.
30. Half of Americas brackets will be ruined by the end of the first week.
31. Someone will have around a 95% or higher bracket in the Sweet 16.
32. They will brag about it as if they won the lottery.
33. A number 1 seed will dominate their way to the Final 4.
34. The Cinderella teams will fall one by one.
35. A sleeper team (not Cinderella team) will make the Final 4.
36. Someone will have all the Final Four teams correct.
37. Over 1/2 of America will have chosen the Championship correctly.
38. It will be split right down the middle on people who chose
each team.
39. Everyone will watch this game and lie saying they knew
whod win.
40. No one will have a perfect bracket and the world will stay in order.

SPORTS

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