Question for you: Is the first day of the NCAA basketball tourney the greatest single sports day of the year?You're darn right it is.
No other sporting event whips people into a frenzy more than the Big Dance. Some might argue the Super Bowl is greater. To that I would say you're wrong. First, you're not guaranteed a good game. Second, you don't always like the teams, sometimes there's even a touch of hatred. In the big dance only one team gets the gas face, say it with me, Duke! Lastly, too many people get hyped up for the commercials during the Super Bowl. Remember commercials? The things you fast-forward through with your DVR.
What about the final day at the Masters? Here's another question, what if Tiger Woods isn't in the hunt. The debate ends there.
World Cup final? If you're nodding your head yes in agreement, get out of my country.
NASCAR at Daytona? The kick-off to the NASCAR season is always a big deal. I do enjoy NASCAR, but the causal sports fan does not. Rubbing might be racing, but interest in racing ain't rubbing off on the woman in the cubicle next to your (unless you work in the South).
Baseball's Opening Day? Another great sports day. Perhaps #2 on this list. But what comes after opening day? 161 more games! Wake me up in October.
Hockey? Tennis? Ahhh, no!
Moving on.
The Olympics (Summer and Winter games)? This one got me thinking. The opening ceremony always makes me feel proud to be an American. The problem, no events take place on opening day. I would argue the Olympics are the greatest two+ weeks in sports.
The first day of the Big Dance usually brings with it unpredictability, camaraderie and a seemingly endless amount of hoops. It's not uncommon to hear bracket chit-chat at the office, at the local tavern and yes, even from your wife. The Big Dance brings the causal fan into the action, mostly because of the brackets, but regardless, they're there. And at what other time do you hear, now where's Siena? How about American? And Davidson is where? (if you notice, the answer will inevitably come back..."I think out East somewhere, or maybe in Indiana.")
And I'll leave you will this thought, the best part of the opening day of the NCAA Tourney, the next day is the exactly the same. And the basketball doesn't stop until Sunday night. Then guess what, it starts up again the next Thursday.
I gots myself a basketball jones.
