In great attempts, it is glorious even to fail

“Our life is March weather, savage and serene in one hour.”

(Emerson)

“Like madness, is the glory of this life.”

(Shakespeare)

Buzzer Beaters, Bracket Busters, Bubble Teams, Cinderellas, Sweet Sixteen, Final Four, The Big Dance – all these terms apply to this time of year. Why?

Because before the blossoms cherry, and as the bunnies deliver baskets, and the bread receives unleavened preparation – there is, “round balls” shining moment. 

March Madness is the name commonly used for the NCAA Tournament, held annually in March and April to determine the national champion in Division I men’s and women’s college basketball.

The word “madness” speaks directly to the chaos and unpredictability of the games themselves. Every year, lower-seeded teams knock off favorites, creating dramatic upsets that no one sees coming. Fans fill out brackets only to watch them fall apart within days. That sense of uncertainty is what makes the tournament so addictive. The name captures the emotional swings that define the experience.

In 1939, the first March Madness featured eight teams – Oregon, Texas, Oklahoma, Utah State, Villanova, Brown, Wake Forest, and Ohio State. Oregon won the championship game against Ohio State, 46-33.

Until the 1950s, the National Invitation Tournament (NIT), founded in 1938, was the most important post-season college basketball competition. As the NCAA Tournament expanded, the pool of teams for the NIT dwindled. The event, however, is still played each spring.

In 1951, the men’s NCAA Tournament field was expanded to 16 teams and then 32 in 1975. In 1985, the field was doubled to 64 teams. In 2001, a play-in game was added, increasing the number of teams to 65. In 2011, three more play-in games were added to the tournament.

The 64 teams were separated into four 16-team regions in which the No. 1 seed plays the No. 16 seed, the No. 2 seed plays the No. 15 seed, and so on. The winner of each region meets in the Final Four each year, which is held in a single location.

The first women’s tournament was held in 1982. In the first championship game, Louisiana Tech defeated Cheyney, a Pennsylvania school, 76-62. In 2021, the NCAA announced the expansion of the women’s tournament from 64 to 68 teams.

Here are just a few of the incredible occasions that have made the madness so memorable through the years …

Lorenzo Charles’ Dunk Stuns Houston in the 1983 Championship

With seconds left in the 1983 Championship game, NC State guard Dereck Whittenburg launched a desperate 30-foot airball with the score tied at 52. Sophomore Lorenzo Charles caught it mid-air and threw down a thunderous dunk at the buzzer, giving the Wolfpack a 54-52 win. The heavily favored Houston Cougars, featuring Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler, were beaten by a sixth-seeded team that had entered the tournament with ten losses.

Keith Smart Gives Indiana the 1987 Title

Indiana and Syracuse played a back-and-forth 1987 national championship game, with future NBA talent on both sides. On the Hoosiers’ final possession, Keith Smart received the ball on the left baseline wing and sank a turnaround jumper at the buzzer for a 74-73 win. The game-winner denied Syracuse a title despite its roster featuring Derrick Coleman, Rony Seikaly, and Sherman Douglas. It was Indiana coach Bob Knight’s third and final national championship.

Christian Laettner Breaks Kentucky’s Heart in 1992

During the East Regional Final of the 1992 NCAA Tournament, Duke found itself down one point with just over two seconds left in overtime. Grant Hill then threw a full-court pass to Christian Laettner at the opposite foul line. Laettner faked right, dribbled once, and sank a turnaround jumper at the buzzer for a 104-103 win that sent the Blue Devils to the Final Four. Laettner had been a perfect 10-for-10 from the field and 10-for-10 from the free throw line, a flawless performance capping what many people still consider the greatest game in tournament history.

Chris Webber’s Costly Timeout in the 1993 Championship

With 11 seconds left and Michigan trailing North Carolina, star Chris Webber dribbled into a corner and signaled for a timeout, but the Wolverines had none remaining. Officials assessed a technical foul, and handed the Tar Heels free throws and possession. North Carolina ended up winning the 1993 national championship by six points, while Webber’s mistake became one of the most unforgettable blunders in March Madness history. The play still haunts Wolverines fans, who have often wondered what might have been had Webber kept his composure.

Kris Jenkins Wins Villanova’s 2016 Title at the Buzzer

North Carolina’s Marcus Paige tied the game at 74 with a double-clutch three-pointer, leaving just 4.7 seconds on the clock. Villanova then inbounded quickly, with Ryan Arcidiacono driving upcourt before finding Kris Jenkins trailing behind him. Jenkins caught the pass and fired a buzzer-beating three to win the championship 77-74. It was Villanova’s first national title since 1985 and, without a doubt, the most dramatic finish in the championship game.

So, before the nets get cut down this April, sit back, stand up, imbibe, gobble, high-five, weep, and revel in everything this tourney embodies.

Oh, and F Pitino! 

Did You Know? The biggest upset in March Madness history is widely considered to be No. 16 seed UMBC defeating No. 1 seed Virginia 74-54 in 2018. It was the first time a 16-seed defeated a 1-seed (135-0 previously). Other massive upsets include No. 16 Fairleigh Dickinson beating #1 Purdue (2023) and Villanova over Georgetown (1985).