The craze of ‘March Madness’

AMERICAN culture has always had a notable influence on the average Irish person.  We have watched everything from the exploits of JR Ewing in ‘Dallas’ to the nonsensical experiences of reality ‘stars’ such as Snooki in ‘Jersey Shore’.  We listen to their music, watch their awards ceremonies and give their most famous figures the ‘red-carpet-treatment’ when they travel across the Atlantic to visit us.  We have done everything apart from trying to adapt our tricolour to include stars and stripes.

Even their sports are starting develop a following.  American Football is becoming more and more popular with every passing season.  ‘Yank’ sports have always found it much more difficult to attract European supporters.  The mixture of ceaseless advertisements mid-game and, the hype surrounding the on-field action has left the viewer yearning for the remote control, in desire for the Under-19 International tournament being televised on Eurosport.  The tide is turning.  Live sporting action, no matter how over-marketed, will always be a better watch than the ‘rumour mill’ being broadcast on Sky Sports News.

What is surprising is that, in a sports-mad country such as Ireland, pillar-stones of American society such as Baseball and Basketball are struggling to attract viewers.  This is the case despite, the presence of a basketball court in almost every village in the country as well as, the prominence of Rounders in the GAA, a sport almost identical in format to baseball.

For anybody who is contemplating witnessing these sports at their best, the next month is appetising.  While the baseball season begins in a number of weeks, basketball will showcase its enduring appeal when ‘March Madness’ begins next week.  While you may expect basketball’s most exciting tournament to involve the stars of the NBA, this tournament is actually the culmination of the college basketball season. 

68 teams battle in a straight-knockout competition across the country to determine the National Champion.  The tournament has even brought the phrase ‘bracketology’ to prominence- the complicated, almost scientific way in which the best college teams are selected for the competition.  It takes over the news networks; it dominates conversations in the workplace and causes arguments in the pubs.  It has become a ritual for anybody interested to fill out their ‘brackets’ before the tournament, selecting the outcome of every game and consequently predicting the champion.  The US President always has a go at it, an elusive opportunity to see one of the most powerful men in the world talking ‘ball’.

Of course, hype such as this is natural for an American exhibition of sport.  The marketing departments in the major networks could sell a fridge to an Eskimo.  However, this tournament has bite to add to its considerable bark.

Upsets are the norm.  The unique selling point of the tournament is the common occurrence of unknown debutantes in the tournaments overcoming colleges who pride themselves on dominance on the basketball court. 

Colourful, vocal support follows each team around the country.  Mascots, cheerleaders and bands give each game an exciting atmosphere while also spurring on the players to create their own bit of ‘March Madness’ history.

The tournament has launched the greatest players of the game to stardom.  Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, ‘Magic’ Johnson- just name a great player and they will have played in the tournament.  It is an awesome sight, to see these players performing with youthful exuberance and a raw, impetuous talent.

The tournament begins on March 13, with a number of games on every night.  All games are being televised on ESPN America and online.