March Madness

goalscrounger

goalscrounger

Well-known member
Anyone else watch this tournament (very niche for UK based posters I know!)? I'm not a fan of basketball at all but there is something about this tournament that makes for compelling viewing.

For those who don't know, March Madness is a knockout tournament for the top 64 US College basketball teams, played back to back in neutral venues over the course of 3 weeks. (there are actually 68 teams as there are 4 qualifying games for the final bracket of 64 for some weird reason).

Games are played over two 20 minute halves and if you lose you go home. This makes for some amazing games, but I still can't quite get my head around here fact that the whole of the US watches what is basically a group of university students playing basketball for a month.
 
I have ESPN Player during the US College Football season. I usually unsubscribe in Jan when football finishes, but the last few years I've kept it on through March and watched the Madness, and you're right,, it is addictive viewing - even for someone who isn't that much of a hoops fan like myself. In terms of collegiate athletics in the States, at the higher levels both the football and basketball are watched live by as many - if not, in many cases MORE fans, than the professional leagues. The biggest football stadiums in the country (100,000+) are all on-site college stadiums. And many of the college basketball teams have their own 15 to 20,000 seat arenas too.
If you haven't seen it before, the March Madness Final is a must watch event. They play it in a football stadium, and there's usually around 90,000 fans in attendance! Finally, what I really like about March Madness is that unlike the college football championship, the smaller schools regularly progress far into, and sometimes win the tournament. So the likes of Gonzaga and Villanova have just as much chance as a Kansas, Kentucky or Arizona.
 
RaysLugg2 said:
I have ESPN Player during the US College Football season. I usually unsubscribe in Jan when football finishes, but the last few years I've kept it on through March and watched the Madness, and you're right,, it is addictive viewing - even for someone who isn't that much of a hoops fan like myself. In terms of collegiate athletics in the States, at the higher levels both the football and basketball are watched live by as many - if not, in many cases MORE fans, than the professional leagues. The biggest football stadiums in the country (100,000+) are all on-site college stadiums. And many of the college basketball teams have their own 15 to 20,000 seat arenas too.
If you haven't seen it before, the March Madness Final is a must watch event. They play it in a football stadium, and there's usually around 90,000 fans in attendance! Finally, what I really like about March Madness is that unlike the college football championship, the smaller schools regularly progress far into, and sometimes win the tournament. So the likes of Gonzaga and Villanova have just as much chance as a Kansas, Kentucky or Arizona.
Click to expand...
Who you rooting for @RaysLugg2? My money (and my bracket) say Gonzaga, but my heart says Loyola Chicago as I lived near the campus last year (as good a reason as any I guess?!)
 
Well I love Gonzaga, they're consistently good for a small school. But what was I saying above about the little teams winning big over the larger programmes? That St Peter's OT win over 2 ranked Kentucky last night, is absolutely colossal!!
 
I watched a bit last two years, yeah. It’s a great format!

American sports are often bloated because of the need for TV ad revenue (there’s no reason to have 7 games in NBA playoffs or a World Series other than $$) so this one is quite cool because it’s genuine knockout.

College sports are interesting in the US as well. Seems like because of the franchise system, your major NFL or basketball or whatever team could just up sticks and move to a different city overnight. So college sports has that reputation for hardcore supporters - a bit like footy here, your college team are your local team who you have to support. The pro leagues are a bonus addon but don’t have that same fanatical support.

I think a lot of the interest in March Madness comes from the NBA draft system as well. All those players will be drafted into the NBA next season, so it’s a chance to see tomorrow’s superstars and who your team might pick up. A bit like if all the best 20 year old prospects in world football played for, like, Conyers vs Thornaby Community School, in a high pressure game live on TV, then next year all get chosen by Premier League clubs. It’s a fun watch.
 
I know absolutely nothing about basketball - only that you have to shoot the ball into the hoop, and that's literally all. Presumably there's more to it than that, so I probably have a lot to learn.

But as this is my first March since moving to the US, and Duke basketball is HUGE around here, I'm trying to take an interest. I'll be watching their game on TV in a couple of hours' time and cheering them on.
 
futureboy said:
I know absolutely nothing about basketball - only that you have to shoot the ball into the hoop, and that's literally all. Presumably there's more to it than that, so I probably have a lot to learn.

But as this is my first March since moving to the US, and Duke basketball is HUGE around here, I'm trying to take an interest. I'll be watching their game on TV in a couple of hours' time and cheering them on.
Click to expand...
I take it you’re in the Durham NC area Futureboy. Duke is one of the top college basketball teams in the whole country. Their arena, Cameron Indoor Stadium which dates back to the 1930’s, is listed as one the greatest sports fan experiences in the world. Deffo worth checking out next season, if you can. Their current head coach, who’s been there over 30 years, retires this season, he’s been kind of like the Alex Ferguson of college basketball, so be interesting to do how they do next season.
 
RaysLugg2 said:
I take it you’re in the Durham NC area Futureboy. Duke is one of the top college basketball teams in the whole country. Their arena, Cameron Indoor Stadium which dates back to the 1930’s, is listed as one the greatest sports fan experiences in the world. Deffo worth checking out next season, if you can. Their current head coach, who’s been there over 30 years, retires this season, he’s been kind of like the Alex Ferguson of college basketball, so be interesting to do how they do next season.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info! I'm right in the heart of Durham, where every second person you meet is wearing some kind of Duke merchandise, and the streets and shops are deserted when a game is on. I've heard a few people mention "Coach K" recently, so that makes sense now. I'm watching the game and can see why it's entertaining, although I don't always understand what's going on. What's with the 30-second countdown clock? Do you have to shoot within 30 seconds of possession? And could this rule be introduced for Boro so we stop endlessly shifting the ball around the edge of the box until we lose it?
 
futureboy said:
Thanks for the info! I'm right in the heart of Durham, where every second person you meet is wearing some kind of Duke merchandise, and the streets and shops are deserted when a game is on. I've heard a few people mention "Coach K" recently, so that makes sense now. I'm watching the game and can see why it's entertaining, although I don't always understand what's going on. What's with the 30-second countdown clock? Do you have to shoot within 30 seconds of possession? And could this rule be introduced for Boro so we stop endlessly shifting the ball around the edge of the box until we lose it?
Click to expand...
Aye, that's the 'Shot Clock' - and yes, you get that amount of time to shoot for the hoop. You score 2 points for a close basket, what they call 'in the paint'. And you get 3 points for a long shot out of that zone. Other than that, there's levels of 'free throws' for penalties called for fouls - oh, and importantly you can only hold onto the ball or dribble with it for 5 seconds, while being 'guarded' by an opposition defender. And that's just about all you need to know. It's a very simple and exciting game. Personally speaking, I much prefer American football and basketball at collegiate level than the pros. You experience the passion, fervour and commitment to Duke - first hand in Durham. The level of support is off the scale in US collegiate sports. Oh, and that was a decent result for Duke last night, against a good Michigan State team.
 
I always go for duke in march madness.

As you say it’s crazy how big it is in the us, one of my us mates once said that march madness was his favourite sporting event of the year. Above the world series and the super bowl as it’s anyone can win and they are doing it only for the sporting glory not the money ( although I think it’s more about money esp after than it was).
 
goalscrounger said:
Duke would be in with a shout, lots of the big teams (Baylor, Kentucky, Auburn, Wisconsin etc) gone. Unfortunately they're in the strongest quarter of the bracket by the looks of it.
Click to expand...
Aye, their next game against Texas Tech will be another test for Duke, but I fancy them to come through that. Be amazing if giant-killing St Peters could sneak past Purdue, but unlikely I think.
 
Jedi boro said:
I always go for duke in march madness.

As you say it’s crazy how big it is in the us, one of my us mates once said that march madness was his favourite sporting event of the year. Above the world series and the super bowl as it’s anyone can win and they are doing it only for the sporting glory not the money ( although I think it’s more about money esp after than it was).
Click to expand...
I think I read somewhere that the ESPN TV rights for March Madness, are worth something like a $ Billion a year to the NCAA!! Students certainly doing it for their respective schools glory, there is of course the consideration of being in a shop window for the NBA draft to of course. In terms of money, I believe the basketball as well as football players can now benefit from the NCAA "Name Image & Likeness" deals, which became legal a year or so ago.
 
RaysLugg2 said:
benefit from the NCAA "Name Image & Likeness" deals, which became legal a year or so ago.
Click to expand...
This was the reason that the ncaa college football game on the console was stopped as you say image rights for amateurs but this looks to have been settled as they are making a college football 2023 game.
 
I've read stacks of books on the financial machinations and scandals (lots!) in US College Sports, and the name image likeness deals have been a long time coming. Although essentially, college athletes have been 'unofficially' benefitting from their status for decades. They were just getting 'paid' in free cars, tattoos, burgers, and lap-dances amongst other things. As well as significant illegal financial incentives - up until last year.
 
Jedi boro said:
Cam newton really broke the barrier didn’t he.
Click to expand...
That kind of “pay to play” thing that Newton and his father were accused of was rife in college sports. Unauthorised representatives, illegal agents, you name it. The books ‘Billion Dollar Ball’ and ‘Fourth & Long’ cover that stuff really well. But the book ‘Tarnished Heisman’ showcases it best. It’s the story of USCs Reggie Bush and the whole story of how he, his family and unauthorised agents cashed in on his journey from college to being drafted.
 
RaysLugg2 said:
Aye, that's the 'Shot Clock' - and yes, you get that amount of time to shoot for the hoop. You score 2 points for a close basket, what they call 'in the paint'. And you get 3 points for a long shot out of that zone. Other than that, there's levels of 'free throws' for penalties called for fouls - oh, and importantly you can only hold onto the ball or dribble with it for 5 seconds, while being 'guarded' by an opposition defender. And that's just about all you need to know. It's a very simple and exciting game. Personally speaking, I much prefer American football and basketball at collegiate level than the pros. You experience the passion, fervour and commitment to Duke - first hand in Durham. The level of support is off the scale in US collegiate sports. Oh, and that was a decent result for Duke last night, against a good Michigan State team.
Click to expand...

Appreciate the info, and yes, even I could tell that was a tight game and a good result. I don't think I'm about to become a proper basketball fan, but it's entertaining enough and I'll be watching the rest of the tournament.
 
WOW. What a final that was.

Obviously I was gutted to see Duke lose to UNC on Saturday, but watching them blow a 16-point lead tonight partly made up for it!

Three weeks ago I couldn't care less about basketball, but you can call me a fan now (as long as you ignore my previous post) (y)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top