Let the Madness Begin

by user ActiveSports

[1] Sixty-five teams, three weeks, endless empty brackets and countless hours watching all the action. Bubble talk and tournament resumes are old news -- about 800 student-athletes are living the dream and I couldn’t be more excited to break down the brackets, choose my picks, and watch March Madness unfold.

The NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship, in my opinion, could be the greatest single elimination tournament ever created. Held each spring featuring 65 basketball teams, it takes place over 3 weeks at sites across the U.S., and the national semifinals (the Final Four) have become one of the nation's most prominent sports events.

Since its 1939 inception (thanks to Kansas University's Phog Allen), it has evolved into the multi-billion enterprise of today that has built a legacy that includes dynasty teams and dramatic underdog stories.

Perhaps the most notable underdog story to date took place last year; George Mason, a commuter school in suburban Virginia, had never won a single game in the NCAA tournament until they reached the Final Four. Seeded 11th in their quarter of the field, George Mason was the first team since 1986 to be slated that low and reach the Final Four. They were arguably the biggest outsider — no basketball tradition to speak of, not a member of a major conference, no superstar player — since Ivy League school Penn made it in 1979.

As of now, I have Florida, North Carolina, Ohio State, and UCLA in the Final Four. My vote for most likely to have a George-Mason-type-run this year is Holy Cross, coming in with the 13th seed. Who do you think this year's Cinderella team might be?

(Photo provided by Getty Images/taken by Elsa)

Anonymous Fanatic #1

996 days ago

Score 0

Thought this letter from Taco Bell to the Fed would be of interest to you ...

In addition, on Thursday, March 15, your readers can visit www.tacobell.com to sign a petition to create a permanent national day, "Hoops Holiday." They will forward all names to Congressional representatives in order to make their voices heard!

March 12, 2007

Mr. Bernard Bernanke Federal Reserve Chairman 20th Street and Constitution Avenue Washington, D.C. 20551

Dear Mr. Bernanke,

It seems that the economy can’t catch a break -- whether it’s Tax day, gas prices, or the housing market. And to top it off, this week an estimated 72 million Americans will watch endless amounts of college basketball. One firm projected that America will lose $1.2 billion in lost office productivity. In fact, you could say March 15 is “NACHO DAY” for the economy.

We have an idea to put some zest into the economy. On March 19, Taco Bell will introduce Zesty Nachos for the ridiculously low price of 99¢ at participating locations. It’s our way to help spark the economy and keep some money in people’s wallets.

Since people won’t be very productive this week due to basketball tourney viewing, here’s an even zestier offer: if you help persuade Congress to make Thursday, March 15, 2007 a new national holiday, we are willing to reward America a free order of these new 99¢ Zesty Nachos. A day off for America and we will pick up the lunch tab -- sounds nice, right?

Sincerely,

Greg Creed

President

Taco Bell Corp.

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