March. In like a lion, out like a lamb. So they say, at least. And with the ushering in of spring, there’s rebirth, new life.
Much the same can be said for the the NCAA Tournament that’s become synonymous with the month of March. The parallels are eerie.
Everybody likes their chances right now. From mighty Kentucky to driven Davidson, all harbor hope. All have life.
Whether we fully comprehend it or not, maybe this optimism comes from the melting snow, the sun’s radiance kissing a frozen landscape? Fresh shoots, young blooms. Ah, we rejoice in the rejuvenating nature of spring that accompanies Selection Sunday each year.
In essence, a la March, within the confines of these brackets, everybody’s a lion, stalking prey. Kings of the jungle, soaking up the regal position on the sport’s ultimate pedestal. Eyes still firmly on the prize.
After all, the hearts and minds of the nation will be wrapped up in a frenzy of hoops action. Did you really go with all four No. 1 seeds? Doesn’t Gonzaga always lose early? You mean you picked WHO to go to the Elite Eight!!??!? Robert Morris? These questions become commonplace within the walls of office buildings, locker rooms of country clubs and around family dinner tables.
Live it up, Dukies! Party on, Wahoos! Bottoms up, Wolfpack! Cheers, Carolina! March Madness – there’s nothing like it in sports.
But alas, “nothing gold can stay,” right, Robert Frost? These lions are about to be dethroned. Remember, out like a lamb? And yessir, one-by-one, we’ll add another lamb unwillingly to the herd. In this kingdom, there’s room for only one to truly roar come April.
QUICK PICKS:
ACC OUTLOOK – No. 1 Duke (Final Four) / No. 2 Virginia (Elite Eight) / No. 3 Notre Dame (Elite Eight) / No. 4 North Carolina (Sweet Sixteen) / No. 4 Louisville (Sweet Sixteen) / No. 8 NC State (Rd. of 32)
FINAL FOUR – Kentucky, Wisconsin, Duke, Villanova
CHAMPION – Kentucky
For every school lucky enough to dance this time of year, the dream lives on. For most, it’s a fleeting glance. For others, it’s a captivating all-nighter. The goal? To make that dream a reality.
Sadly for most, the “cutting down the nets” scene never comes to pass. But that’s secondary. It’s the dream-maker who’s most appreciated. The fact that we are even inspired to dream at all is worth the price of admission.
So thank you, March, for allowing these rapturous thoughts to race through our minds that for a select few, transform into indelible, tangible memories.
Follow Matt on Twitter @mattdoakes
Comments on Chapelboro are moderated according to our Community Guidelines