Sports fans across the country are gearing up for one of the most exciting times of the year: March Madness.
With the ringing in of the third calendar month, friends, family and fans get together and cheer on their favorite team from different conferences across the country.
The collective group of eager viewers stare into various electronic screens to see which teams will outrank each other throughout the tournament. This year is no different when it comes to the appeal of the contenders and the amount of team spirit surrounding the NCAA.
Number one seed contenders [teams ranked number in their respective conference] include the expected “power five” names: Kentucky (SEC), Arizona State (Pac-12), Maryland (Big Ten), Baylor (Big 12), and Florida State (ACC).
Number two seeds in the overall conferences include, Louisville (ACC), Oregon (Pac-12), and Kansas (Big 12).
As a benefit for their play, these teams are deemed the number one and two seeds coming into the tournament.
Along with the bragging rights that come with their rankings, these teams will also have the advantage of hosting parts of the tournament at home.
Last year the Final Four included Auburn, Virginia, Texas Tech, and MI State. Two of these contenders found their way back this year as top two seeds in their respective conferences.
As can be expected every year there is always an upset that breaks brackets and spikes interest in the tournament that little to none saw coming. Last year a few major upsets included, Baylor, who was ranked number nine, beat number eight Syracuse; Liberty, ranked number twelve, beat Mississippi State who was ranked number five; and number nine Oklahoma beat number eight Ole Miss.
This year, a few tournament predictions, according to the NCAA website include, a number one seed losing in the first weekend, a number one seed making the Final Four, Vernon Carey Jr. of Duke will be the leading scorer in the 2020 NCAA tournament, and there will be an ACC versus ACC match-up in the second weekend.
For most, it’s still a little too early to predict a solid team that could either make it to the Final Four or win the entire tournament, but for others that only means fair game and original brackets.
To keep up with the teams and the tournament, keep checking the NCAA March Madness webpage and tune in March 17 for the first tournament game of the 82nd annual NCAA March Madness Tournament.
Graphic: Maggie Claytor/ The Johnsonian
