It’s March, and the first things that might come to mind in the month of March is that one day most Americans will be wearing green. But there is something much bigger than that. Something that makes people come together to celebrate, no matter if they are basketball fans or not, and it’s called March Madness. March Madness is a men’s college basketball tournament that is held every year in the month of March where schools from all over theUnited States get a chance to compete for a National Championship.
“One thing that makes March Madness so popular is the one-and-done aspect of it, anybody can win,” Science teacher Brett Myers said.
At MHS, many teachers are excited about the tournament; there are many ways for students and teachers to get involved. Last year, the teachers at MHS had a teacher’s- only Bracket for the March Madness tournament. They would put money into the pool to give to the winner who had the most points at the end of the competition. But this year’s March Madness bracket competition won’t be for teacher’s-only, nor will the winner receive money for winning; instead, the money will go towards the Hill Foundation for Cancer. The Hill Foundation for Cancer is a foundation that is dedicated to Special Education teacher Jeff Hill, whose daughter was diagnosed with Leukemia this year. Since then, Mr. Hill has tried to figure out a way to raise money for cancer research. The person behind the idea is Special Education teacher David Gilbert. The process of the plan is to print-out copies of the March Madness bracket to give to the students; whoever gets one is to donate a dollar. Each dollar that is given for buying a bracket goes towards the Hill Foundation for Cancer.
“I think it’s more important to help your co-workers in a time of need, rather than the winner receiving the money,” Gilbert said.
The main purpose for this competition was to get the both students and teachers involved in a school-wide tournament, Myers said.
On March 13, No.1 Kentucky took on No. 16 Western Kentucky in the first round of the most watched event besides the Super-Bowl. Going into this game, Kentucky is the favorite to win this year’s National Championship and is Free Press writer Matthew Cammarita’s top team. Kentucky has a strong case as to why they can contend for National Championship. They went undefeated in the SEC conference and only lost once to a non-conference school in Indiana University due to a last second buzzer beater. Not only hasKentuckydominated the SEC conference, but they have two potential candidates to win this year’s National Player of the Year Award and, Freshmen Forward Anthony Davis, and Forward Michael Kidd- Gilchrist. It’s without a doubt that having two freshmen in the starting five lineups competing for a National Player of the Year Award is quite impressive, considering that neither player has much experience in the college level.
“It seems to be that Kentucky has the best starting five,” Physical Education teacher Pat Fox said.
No. 1 ranked Syracusein the West division was also in the hunt for a National Championship. Syracusewas picked # 2 on Cammarita’s list of top five teams to win the National Championship. Syracuse’s season is quite identical to Kentucky’s season and the best in their school’s history.
At No.3 on Cammarita’s list of top 5 teams to win the National Championship, was the North Carolina Tar Heels. Since coming off a four-game losing streak, North Carolinais still picked to win this year’s National Championship. At MHS, North Carolina was picked as the winner on Principal McKenna’s bracket to win the National Championship.
“It always seems like it’s teams from North Carolina,” Mr. McKenna said.
However, McKenna’s pick was not correct this year, as the Tar Heels were knocked off byKansasin the Elite Eight Round of the Tournament.
North Carolina was leading the country with the highest team rating in rebounds in the NCAA and they average 82.3 points, the best in the country.
At # 4, is the Ohio State Buckeyes. This year, the Ohio State Buckeyes are chosen out of all the Big Ten teams to win this year’s National Championship and their chances of fulfilling that goal are in their favor.OhioStateis not only recognized as the team that finished second in offense or defense, but they have two of the most outstanding players in the Big Ten and in the country; they are Forward Jared Sullinger and Forward Aaron Craft.
Finally the fifth and final team on Cammarata’s list of top five teams to win this year’s National Championship, the University of Duke. The Duke Blue Devils have impressed the crowds like they usually do, beating rival UNC, Big Ten Champion MSU, and the University of Kansas, who are all this competing for a National Championship. The fans of Duke College basketball and basketball fans all over the world say, Duke has one of the best backcourts in the country and they are led by Guards Austin Rivers and Seth Curry.
As of today in the March Madness standings; Milfordteacher Jeremy Gabriel is in first place with his selected winner Kentucky. Just behind Gabriel are Trainer Heather and Jim Sander, who both picked MSU as their bracket winner; but oddly enough MSU was eliminated from tournament contention in the Sweet Sixteen.
The Final Four teams square off this Saturday when Kentucky faces state rival Louisville and OhioState plays Kansas; it should be a fun ending to a great year of college basketball.