You can tell that the NCAA basketball season has hit that magic period called March Madness by calling our house in the evening. We may answer the phone, and we may even carry on a conversation. But in the background will be fast-talking sports announcers, crowds screaming, and…if it were possible…the scent of pizza or some other dinner capable of being eaten from a TV tray. Our answers to your questions will sound distant, distracted, and sometimes inconsistent. (More than usual.) You can’t depend upon any decisions we make over the phone these days. A well-placed e-mail reminding us of the decision is a good idea.
In spite of our attempts to be mature, serious adults with complex issues on our daily agendas, we succumb to the lure of March Madness just like millions of other Americans. I suspect that a resident of the White House could say the same thing, although he may have to catch only snippets of the games between other obligations.
Not unlike England’s Wimbledon, South Africa’s World Cup, and Ireland’s Rugby Nationals, Americans become irrational around the time of the World Series, the Super Bowl, the Master’s Tournament and March Madness (the NCAA basketball tournament.) Lots and lots of media commentators will try to analyze this step into irrationality in a time of serious national and international issues that stagger the mind. But the bottom line, in my opinion, is that it’s fun!
We are scattered at the time of the March Madness. Our favorite team, by far, is the Syracuse Orange. But we also follow Pittsburgh, Providence and Duke. Having a variety of allegiances allows us to stay with the tournament even when one “favorite” after another loses and is sent home. We suspect we will be able to follow the Orange all the way to the Final Four this year, however. But…you never know in the month of March. Strange things happen. An “outsider” like Cornell (champions of the Ivy League) can rise up and nip teams in the butt and end up soaring to the top despite early prognostications. That’s where the Madness part of it comes in.
I’ll go to the supermarket and stock up on microwave popcorn, caffeine-free Diet Coke and Dr. Pepper. Our orange sweatshirts will hit the washing machine today in readiness. And tasks like bill-paying, correspondence and anything requiring our full attention will be relegated to those odd times when there is no game to watch. We’ll fill out our game charts and post them where we can update them every day. Are we being silly? Probably.
Photo Credit: Syracuse University
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You are in good company!! You described our household as well! However, I leave for NOLA on Friday BUT I am planning on stopping early so we can settle in our room and watch SU! Enjoy your popcorn and soda!!!