By Staff
There are not a better couple of weeks than the upcoming NCAA men's and women's basketball tournaments.
Nothing can touch these tournaments for drama, excitement and raw emotion. Forget the Daytona 500, Super Bowl, World Series or NBA Finals. They all pale in comparison to the NCAA tournament.
And if you think watching it on television is exciting, go to a game.
I can tell you from personal experience that nothing can compete with the excitement I felt covering both the mens' and womens' tournaments at the University of Notre Dame.
What a thrill to go to the practice sessions and see the likes of former North Carolina coach Dean Smith standing on the sidelines watching his team prepare for the tournament.
Then there was the total shock when I turned around during a game to see Michael Jordan, who was sitting just a few rows behind me taking in his Tar Heels.
The color, pageantry and sounds of the NCAA tournament are what truly make this tournament a one-of-a-kind.
I love a good pep band. During the NCAA tournament you get to double your pleasure because most teams bring their bands and they take turns performing during time outs.
I have to say it is a toss-up when it comes to which tournament was more exciting. I was impressed with both the mens' and womens' events I had the good fortune to cover.
I certainly hope Notre Dame will host tournament games again in the near future. I would love the opportunity to cover the NCAA tournament again.
I would say that both tournaments are as wide open as they have been in years. Several teams have a shot at winning their respective national championships.
But whoever wins, the road to the title will be loaded with pitfalls. Upsets are what make the tournaments special.
Who can forget George Mason's run to the Final Four last year? Which Cinderella will slip into the glass slipper this year?
We will begin to find out the answers to those questions on Thursday when the tournament kicks off. So grab your brackets and tune in. It's tip-off time!