Spare me how much you like the cinderella stories, the upsets, the pageantry, the support for your alma mater (has it been confirmed that you actually graduated from there, anyways?), the bullshit. March Madness is about one thing. Money. Pretty much like the rest of the NCAA and higher education in general.
So throw $10 bucks in a pool and laugh at the fact that for one month out the year gambling isn't frowned upon, but celebrated with blatant public participation. Which team of student-athletes do you have winning in the first round?
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| drawing courtesy of Elitistjerksports.com |
The NCAA merchandising booths are stockpiling cash and credit card reciepts at event sites. Advertising dollars are pouring in and the first two days of the tourney, typically taken off work by sports fans for the non-stop stretch of college hoops on television. There is betting of all different sizes and strengths during the second half of March. All of it on amateur athletes, most of whom are just trying to get some exposure to go pro. All of it accepted by society, especially because those with no knowledge can participate, just fill out the bracket. Most of it resulting in shitty basketball (that is until the sweet 16 onward).
But what else is there to watch? NBA or NHL regular season games or spring training baseball (if there is a TV broadcast available).
The NCAA has slowly taken over the holiday season with football's BCS Bowl Championship Series which is code for 30 bowl games means 30 sponsors and assloads of advertising money. March rolls around, there is no ratings competition with any pro leagues, so the NCAA holds a 64-team tournament that is chosen not just based on merit, but also on preference.
