It’s that time of year again: a time of upsets, brackets, victory, and defeat. It’s what all college basketball fans look forward to year after year, the annual NCAA March Madness tournament.
For those who do not know, the NCAA March Madness tournament consists of 68 teams. In the opening days of the tournament, the “First Four” games are played. The winners of the “First Four” games earn their spot in the coveted NCAA March Madness 64-team tournament. The bracket is set up in 4 different regions: Midwest, South, East, and West. The Midwest region games were played in Cleveland, Ohio, and consisted of teams including West Virginia, Notre Dame, and Kentucky. The Southern region games were played in Houston, Texas, and included Utah, Duke, and Gonzaga. The Eastern region was played in Syracuse, New York, and teams including Louisville, Virginia, and Villanova competed there. The Western region was played in Los Angeles, California, and included Wisconsin, Xavier, and Arizona playing their matches there.
From the round of 64 to the Sweet Sixteen, there were many upsets and bracket breakers. This includes #14 UAB beating #3 Iowa State, NC State beating #1 seed Villanova, Georgia State beating Baylor, and #7 Michigan State topping off #2 Virginia. These sorts of upsets can be the make or break a person’s bracket. In fact, according to Fox 9 KC, the chances of filling out a perfect bracket are one in 9.2 quintillion. One in 9.2 quintillion! Therefore, the likelihood of a perfect bracket, even in the round of 64, is nearly impossible.
This year, yearbook adviser Katie Borcherding orchestrated the NCAA March Madness bracket challenge at New Haven High School. To enter, students had to buy a yearbook for $30. Once their yearbook was purchased, they then had the opportunity to pick who they thought would take home the championship. This year’s winners were Erin Scheer and Hannah Kruse. The prize was a pizza of their choice from either Lancito’s or Casey’s. When Erin Scheer was asked how she felt when Duke took the title, she exclaimed, “I was so excited! I love Duke, and even though not many people believed they would win, I still had faith.I just love Duke, that’s why I chose them for the yearbook challenge!”
In this year’s tournament, the Kentucky Wildcats were the favorite to win, going into the tournament 34-0. The Kentucky Wildcats beat teams such as Hampton, West Virginia, and Notre Dame. The Wildcats were eventually defeated by the Wisconsin Badgers in the Final Four.
“From the beginning, I wanted Kentucky to win,” stated NHHS sophomore Brooklyn Covington.”Every time I would watch, they would dominate everyone else. I was for sure they were going to take the title! It would’ve been awesome to see a team go undefeated on a season!” Junior Lauren Bergner stated, “I hate to say it, but I really wanted Kentucky to lose from the start. I’m always in favor of an underdog, and I really wanted Notre Dame to beat them! Unfortunately, Kentucky won! But when they lost to Wisconsin, I was happy!”
Others were in favor of the Duke Blue Devils winning the tournament, which actually happened. In the championship match against the Wisconsin Badgers, the Blue Devils ended with the win, 68-63. Freshman Tyus Jones was named the MVP.
Overall, this year’s March Madness tournament was a thriller as it usually is. Whether sporting Kentucky blue, Utah red, or even Michigan State green, the tournament still had its edge and excitement thanks to upsets, brackets, victories, and defeat.
-by Lauren Bergner
From the round of 64 to the Sweet Sixteen, there were many upsets and bracket breakers. This includes #14 UAB beating #3 Iowa State, NC State beating #1 seed Villanova, Georgia State beating Baylor, and #7 Michigan State topping off #2 Virginia. These sorts of upsets can be the make or break a person’s bracket. In fact, according to Fox 9 KC, the chances of filling out a perfect bracket are one in 9.2 quintillion. One in 9.2 quintillion! Therefore, the likelihood of a perfect bracket, even in the round of 64, is nearly impossible.
This year, yearbook adviser Katie Borcherding orchestrated the NCAA March Madness bracket challenge at New Haven High School. To enter, students had to buy a yearbook for $30. Once their yearbook was purchased, they then had the opportunity to pick who they thought would take home the championship. This year’s winners were Erin Scheer and Hannah Kruse. The prize was a pizza of their choice from either Lancito’s or Casey’s. When Erin Scheer was asked how she felt when Duke took the title, she exclaimed, “I was so excited! I love Duke, and even though not many people believed they would win, I still had faith.I just love Duke, that’s why I chose them for the yearbook challenge!”
In this year’s tournament, the Kentucky Wildcats were the favorite to win, going into the tournament 34-0. The Kentucky Wildcats beat teams such as Hampton, West Virginia, and Notre Dame. The Wildcats were eventually defeated by the Wisconsin Badgers in the Final Four.
“From the beginning, I wanted Kentucky to win,” stated NHHS sophomore Brooklyn Covington.”Every time I would watch, they would dominate everyone else. I was for sure they were going to take the title! It would’ve been awesome to see a team go undefeated on a season!” Junior Lauren Bergner stated, “I hate to say it, but I really wanted Kentucky to lose from the start. I’m always in favor of an underdog, and I really wanted Notre Dame to beat them! Unfortunately, Kentucky won! But when they lost to Wisconsin, I was happy!”
Others were in favor of the Duke Blue Devils winning the tournament, which actually happened. In the championship match against the Wisconsin Badgers, the Blue Devils ended with the win, 68-63. Freshman Tyus Jones was named the MVP.
Overall, this year’s March Madness tournament was a thriller as it usually is. Whether sporting Kentucky blue, Utah red, or even Michigan State green, the tournament still had its edge and excitement thanks to upsets, brackets, victories, and defeat.
-by Lauren Bergner
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