The Final Four

I used to be a huge basketball fan. In the 90's the pro game was fast paced and exciting. It had colourful characters and some of the best players ever. Something happened about 10 years ago. The game slowed down and I lost interest. There are still some very good players and some exciting games but it is dominated by big guys banging down low. I don't blame anyone for this change. It probably gives you your best chance to win.

On the other hand, college basketball is still exciting. The players are not as big. There appears to be more passion, and the pace seems to be faster. Only the very best college players will ever play in the NBA, but that's ok.

I'm watching the Butler versus Michigan State semi-final game. This is what sport is supposed to be. This is a tight game and these kids are letting it all hang out. You know they will do whatever it takes to give their team a chance to win. The fans are nuts. They are cheering with reckless abandon. The coaches are animated and working as hard as they can to give their team a chance to win.

This will be the last game for the seniors on the losing team and the second last game for the seniors on the winning team. What an incredible way to wrap up your college career and maybe your basketball career. An international television audience and the opportunity to be the difference maker.

Collegiate sports are very important. They inspire and motivate the players and the student body. They bring pride to the institutions they represent. They make a difference. They show people why it is important to come through when people are counting on you and they show what happens if you don't hold up your end of the bargain.

I don't know what the rest of this tournament will bring but I can say for certain that some very special moments are made every year on the 63 games of the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship Tournament.

Magical Madness

This week-end marked the beginning of the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship Tournament, aka the Road to the Final Four. These guys have it figured out. Let's get 64 deserving teams together for a single elimination tournament. It produces drama, excitement, and anything can happen. It makes people watch. It is fun.

For three week-ends at the end of March and the start of April we can be transported to a world where all that matters is heart. Where you have to play every second of every game with such effort and determination. It's moments like this that turn boys into men.

For all the pageantry and excitement the tournament can also be cruel. Half the teams will not win a game each year. Three quarters are done by the end of the first week-end. Failure is not rewarded in any way. The only way to keep playing is to keep winning. I think that finality is part of what makes this even so special.

This year there have been a lot of upsets. I have been watching a lot of basketball. There is such an energy to games in the tournament. There has to be. One loss and you have no chance to come back. With the nature of basketball, you just have to stay close and you have a real chance to win at the end.

The folks at the NCAA have got it right for this one. I like the tournament just the way it is and I hope they never change a thing.