The air of anticipation for March Madness is thick at Lakeview, and the staff’s confidence in one team is strong. Many, including Steven Wichmann and Darcy Hassing, are betting on a victorious run for Tom Izzo and the Michigan State Spartans.
However, not everyone is sold on MSU being able to win it all. Kyle Kracht has his eyes set on #2 Houston and #1 Duke, reflecting that they have a strong defense and offensive executions. Houston is #2 in the nation defensively with a 58.5 OPP PPG; Duke is #7 in the nation with a 61.9 OPP PPG.
Meanwhile, Mae Mitchell believes Auburn has the best shot, stating, “They are currently the number one seed in their division and have had a great record within their conference.”
The best aspects of March Madness are the upsets, because they set tones not many can handle. The predictions on how many will happen in the first round vary, with the margin leaning towards between three and five upsets.
Karl Shafer is bracing for the chaos, expecting nine or more upset results.
This anamoly is plausible only a few years ago, a record-setting 14 upsets happened in the tournament.
Buzzer-beaters and lower-seeded teams taking down powerhouses are the moments that define the tournament and keep fans on the edge of their seats.
Beyond the brackets and the game results, March Madness has a weird impact on school spirit. Students and staff find themselves coming together, discussing game results, and reacting to the insane plays.
“It brings a sense of community to our school when so many of us are watching the same things and rooting for our teams,” Mitchell said.
Not everyone is thrilled about the basketball takeover in March. April Holman is just waiting for her favorite TV shows to return to their normal schedule, and picks her favorite teams based on their “cute costumes.”
Filling out a perfect bracket is almost impossible, but that doesn’t stop the people from trying. Some rely on stats and research, gut feelings, mascots, and/or team loyalty.
Kracht takes a different and more common approach, which is combining conference performance, stats, and instincts.
No matter the methods used, one thing is certain: everyone hopes to be the one with the best bracket by the end of the tournament.
The games are here, and the action will be nonstop. March Madness isn’t just a basketball tournament; it’s an event of connection, excitement, and fierce competition.
“I just like to see some great basketball being played. These players are at the top of their game right now, and it’s great to see the competition,” Mitchell said.