It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad, March

Why do we call it March Madness? Partially because of the feelings of elation and stupefying joy brought on by countless basketball tournaments leading up to the NCAA tourney. But partially also because of the crazy things that happen in single elimination tournaments. Perhaps the NBA should look into single elimination.
Here are some early highlights to buttress my point.

The Sun Belt Conference Tournament
Western Kentucky was considered the favorite all year. They marched into the finals with relative ease to play the second best team in conference the South Al Jaguars. The Jags lost to the Hilltoppers back on January 21st in Mobile by a point. So a neutral court seemed to favor the Hilltoppers. No such luck as South Al utterly destroyed WKU to the tune of 95-70 in a game they never trailed in and led by double digits from the 10 minute mark of the first half on.

Farleigh Dickinson's collapse
FDU led by nine at the half over Monmouth for the Northeast Conference championship, 33-24. FDU would score only 15 more points in the game and lost by one. Monmouth goes to the NCAA (HELLO play-in game!) and FDU goes home.

Pitino's Bomb-binos
The University of Louisville wasn't launching bombs this season, they were just blowing up. A lousy year that stayed over .500 simply due to the most ridiculous non-conference schedule in history ended in the first round of the Big LEast tournament last night at the hands of Pittsburg. A game UofL desperately needed for any NCAA hopes to stay afloat and they got blitzed 33-5 to start the game. They had only 16 points at the half, but here's the madeness. UofL only lost by five points, outscoring the Panthers 40-22 in the second frame in a game in which they were outrebounded by 15! NIT, here comes the Cards.

Last, but not least, Ohio County
Ok, so this game has nothing to do with the NCAA, but this upset is worth mentioning. The Eagles entered the game against Owensboro Catholic in the 3rd Region semi-finals 13-14 on the season. A far cry from their 04-05 record when they finished 26-8 losing the state champion South Laurel in the first round. Also a far cry from Catholic's stunning 25-3 mark. The Aces had trumped the Eagles 64-40 in the regular season. But, you can see this coming. The County pulls of the upset 61-58 to advance to the region finals for the second straight season and ending a stellar year for the Aces well short of their goals.

Folks, that is why it is called Madness. It's crazy, exhilirating, heart racing, heart wrenching, and heart breaking. It's the best time of the year for a sports fan. Drink it up, it always goes down smooth.