NCAA Basketball annual madness

2023 joins years before. It is among other things an economic engine. USD$2 billions get wagered (probably a substantial underestimate), video broadcasters profit well (seems behind a veil), NCAA got $850 millions last year (they develop college scholars in part with athletics, or some such story), and colleges winning step by step get shares of that in the laundry.

Beyond all that money, it can be the only time for scholar athletes to be on national TV. Some few will advance to NBA, but most will become regular people instead. Highlight reels for later grandchildren etc.

People not living under correct geostationary satellites miss a lot of fun

There is also an ‘undercard’ tournament, NIT, with 1/10 financial churn (?) where great teams dress their wounds during off years, and far-from-great teams get to play with big boys.

Not all about boys though. NCAA has ladies as well. My only prediction: if Brittney Griner is seen in audience, it will be a big deal. Griner has been playing professionally for years, but most recently involved in a trade for a ‘past his prime” Russian illegal-arms dealer. That stands rare or alone among sports trades.

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The madness will end in Houston. Will Houston’s team watch final from seats? Will Kansas or Kansas State get a chance to send other to the cornfield (Twilight Zone ref)? Will any of >6 other plausibles get confetti in their hair?

 

We are early in this madness. To all who bought in with brackets. Princeton has spoiled yours. But also everyone elses' so despair not.
@bisco will nap until 4 remain and so miss a lot of fun. About 10 realistic contenders remain for final 4

On April 3, Alabama will face some right-side-bracket team in final, and win. Between now and then, many interesting things will happen.

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This is not the place to discuss that human genders are two, with <<1% of physical intergrades, With <1%born physically one way but seeking trans (surgery to) other side. With <6% seeking to sexually interact with their same physical side. And another small % seeking to interact with ... I dun no ...anybody? I leave it to others to assert that so few edge cases should dominate all our thoughts. But take it somewhere else, OK? Here is basketball.

 

Oral Roberts Univ been hot in recent weeks. Maybe bracketeers put them to pass Duke? Sorry.

 

Thought you were sleeping

 

OK then, you are on Griner watch.

 

Fairleigh Dickinson was as upsetting as it could possibly get this year. Ken Pomeroy 312 ranked team beating the 7th ranked. There have been other less remarkable upsets. Princeton (KenPom 112) is still in in (as the Ivy League so rarely is) and currently, remarkably leading Missouri in first half. That is a Tiger/Tiger game, also a rarity.

Most upsets have favored Alabama's tides so far it seems to me. Others helped Houston, the Finals host, and they surely need it. It may be Abalama and Houston in Final, but maybe not eh? Indiana might get to test the tenacity of Houston's tendons. Depends on Miami's vice.

 

Princeton (go Ivy) has found itself in 16 with only Baylor or Creighton remaining to oppose Bama, happens tmrw. After that TN or KS State (East quadrant) will probably remain to swim against Bama tide towards round of 4.

Houston if passing Indiana will have Texas or Xavier in round of 16. Upstarts in their quadrant have not cleared their path.

Only the West quadrant is following expectations, and UCLA v. Gonzaga and UConn V. Kansas will make TV commercials worth investments in round of 16. IOW, tight games are expected. They are KenPom ranked 2, 8, 4, 9 respectively. Any of them, I reckon, could trouble Houston in round of 4.

 

Maryland 'had a moment' against Alabama in 1st half. Seems to have passed but it might suggest Bama is not unbeatable. They will face some solid teams in 16, with outcomes uncertain.

But first Baylor from Waco ...Unless Princeton downs them also ...