My old blogger buddy J. Eric Smith invited me to fill out a March Madness men’s college basketball tournament, and I picked Gonzaga (3rd seed in their draw) to win the whole thing. Of course, they were eliminated in the third round by Purdue (2nd seed).
I just like the name, Gonzaga. The Washington state team came out of nowhere some years ago. They were tournament runners-up in 2017 and 2021.
I suppose it might have helped if I had watched any of the games this season. Or not.
Knowing my bracket is irreparably busted, do I even have any teams left in the Final Four? (Did I remember who else I picked? I did not.)
I have Michigan, the #1 seed in their division! Losing to Gonzaga, but whatever. I have Illinois, #3 in their bracket! Beating Louisville (a #6 seed), who lost to Michigan State (#3). Then, Illinois would lose to Gonzaga, which can’t happen.
But picking two of the Final Four was fun, and shocking.
A great ending
The only part of a March Madness game I’ve watched this year was the last 5:20 of the Duke (#1) playing Connecticut (#2). I automatically recorded 60 Minutes for two hours, because college basketball, NFL football, and golf tend to run long. Connecticut was down as many as five, and they were never in the lead until a last-second, long three-pointer won them the game.
Historically, I have rooted against Duke. It’s not entirely rational. The Blue Devils won five championships, but UConn won six.
So Illinois will play Connecticut, and I’m torn. Should I root for the team I had going to the finals, the Illini, or the team from my favorite conference, the Big East? I’ve got to root for the team that’s never won, coming in second in 2005.
Then Michigan (#1), which has won the tournament once, in 1989, is playing Arizona (#1), which has only won the tournament in 1997. I want Michigan, my Final Four pick.
So, my irrational rooting interests – but aren’t they ALWAYS irrational? – are IL, MI, CT, AZ.
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The Shot That Saved Lives and sent the game to overtime!