March Madness...

March Madness comes in various forms.

This March for me, there was the Memphis Madness experienced by myself and three visiting friends over this past weekend -- madness did ensue in the many forms of over-eating, over-drinking, over-sight seeing, over-farting, and over-spending, but the details of these events shall not be recapped here.

In addition, this March for me brings the most busy time of the semester at work -- I am certain it will prove to reach a level of insanity, but I will make it through.

But most importantly, of course, March Madness is best known for the most wonderful sports-spectating time of the year -- the NCAA tournament. (I will argue to the death with someone who diasgrees with this statement -- there is no sporting event that can top the tournament -- none, whatsoever. ) If you know me well or if you barely know me at all, you do know for sure that my obsession with March Madness runs deep.

March Madness is enjoyable in part because of its many traditions.

There's watching Selection Sunday so as to be first informed about which teams' bubbles have burst or which teams have squeaked into a tournament spot.

There's the printing and selecting of one's bracket, so as to predict as best as possible the outcomes of each and every game.

There's the weekend ritual of sitting in one's own stink so as to not miss a minute of the madness -- you never know when a magical moment will be created and thus, you must watch religiously every minute as humanly possible.

There's the constant rooting for one's Cinderella team -- hoping an underdog makes a go of it, topples the powerhouses and shocks the country -- for me, this is what the tournament is all about -- the rise of the underdog, the glory of the upset.

And sometimes, there are new traditions to be made, like getting in your car, driving to various cities, scalping tickets and watching your great alma mater take chances at making history.

March Madness 2005 was truly magical for me, as Bucknell (my wonderful alma mater) made history in Oklahoma City -- Bucknell represented everything I like about March Madness -- a team not well known to the rest of the country who pulled off an amazing upset and finally got some respect as a well-developed basketball program. Perhaps this year, Bucknell can continue to turn a Cinderella story into a historical event.

It is with great pleasure that I look forward to the upcoming weekend -- first, watching Bucknell play in the Patriot League Tournament Championship on Friday, hoping to clutch an automatic bid into the field of 65. Second, watching Selection Sunday to see how the bracket comes together and then making my selections for the madness that will ensue (know your bracketology, friends -- use your knowledge wisely). And finally, to see who makes the month interesting:

What powerhouses will fall?

What Cinderellas story will be written?

What magical shots will make history?

Who will fall?

Who will rise victorious?

None of this can be known at this time, but soon, dear friends, soon the madness will unfold. Will you be watching?