Regular readers of Motherese may recall that I am a big basketball fan. I grew up playing basketball and even coached it for awhile. As a basketball fan, there are no weeks I like more than the ones that are upon us: the three weeks in March known to college athletes and couch-potatoes everywhere as March Madness.
For the uninitiated: During March Madness, 65 NCAA men’s Division I college basketball teams and 64 women’s teams engage in single-elimination tournaments. Among the teams that are invited are perennial powerhouses like Kentucky and Duke and conference champions from across the country. Also given a ticket to the “Big Dance” are lesser-known teams who either won one of the so-called mid-major conference tournaments or earned an at-large bid to try their luck against one of the traditional elite.
The beauty of the tournament – and one of the reasons it is so popular among both die-hard sports fans and casual participants in the ubiquitous office pools that spring up at this time of year – comes in part through the Cinderella story that seems to be written each year during the weeks of the dance.
Like David over Goliath, the Hobbit Frodo over the Dark Lord Sauron, and even Erin Brokovich over Pacific Gas and Electric before them, some under-sized and lesser-talented team always manages to knock off one of the favorites. In 1985, 8th seeded Villanova defeated the No. 1 ranked defending national champions, Georgetown, to win the title. More recently, in 2006, George Mason became the first mid-major to reach the Final Four in nearly 30 years. Each year several lesser-regarded programs earn a single victory in the opening round, but celebrate as though they’ve won the whole tournament. Clearly, they are no strangers to the tale of David and Goliath.
And this Cinderella phenomenon, while not unique in literature or Hollywood, is relatively uncommon in the world of professional sports, where large market teams and their corresponding payrolls (hello, New York Yankees) dominate on a playing field that is often decidedly uneven. And this idea that the little guy can win? It’s exciting. It’s heartwarming. It’s reassuring. And it’s among the many elements that set amateur athletics – and especially these tournaments – apart from so much that is wrong with professional sports.
And who doesn’t want a Cinderella story right about now? With nest-eggs shrinking and joblessness mounting, aren’t we all ready for a story of the little guy taking out the big one? For a glass-slippered Cinderella to win the hand of the prince instead of one of the wicked step-sisters sweeping him off his feet? For a skinny kid with a ball and a dream to shoot his way over the big guy with his NBA contract all but signed?
So I tip my hat to all of the Davids (and Davidsons) out there.* Thank you for all that you will do this week and next to restore my faith in long shots – in basketball, and in life.
* Please note that, as much as I love an underdog, I will not be celebrating if a female David knocks off my own beloved Goliath, the UConn women’s basketball team, currently on a record-setting 72-game win streak. I’m all about the Davids in the men’s tournament, but leave my lady Huskies alone! (Please.)
Do you usually root for the underdog or the favorite? What is your favorite underdog story?
Who’s your pick to win this year’s Big Dance? Any sentimental sleepers you think might have a chance to win it all?
Image: My Bracket by GoonSquadSarah via Flickr under a Creative Commons license.
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Another reason why I love the Cinderella stories of March Madness? I can fill out a bracket and have the chance of beating my husband – because at some level it’s all about chance.
Go underdogs!
Ahh, Eva, so you write your own Cinderella story in your house – with you the underdog against your husband. I love it!
One year my daughter – whose picks were based on either how she liked the teams uniforms or their names – did better than all the rest of us in the house.
I am a WVU alum so am rooting for the Mountaineers to go all the way. Still disappointed that Duke got a #1 seed and WVU didn’t.
This year we’re having both boys fill out brackets. I imagine Big Boy will go with which mascot he likes best. We will have to intuit Tiny Baby’s picks through his babbling and gestures.
I had forgotten that you were a WVU alumna. Congratulations on the Big East tournament win yesterday! Your women’s team is also having a great year. Both teams have a chance to go far in their respective tournaments. (That’s usually the case for both UConn teams, but, this year, alas, the men’s team was a mess.)
The Big East game was very good. I did my best not to keep the people in rooms on either side of me in the hotel up with my screaming at the TV. I actually saw the first half and the last two minutes of the game, having fallen asleep during half time.
I really don’t follow women’s college basketball much. I suppose I need to, now the season is truly over, get my thoughts about Binghamton’s mess out in the open.
I highly recommend checking out some of the games in the women’s tournament. I think women’s college basketball is the purest form of the game. (Despite what I wrote above about men’s college basketball, I think the whole “one and done” rule has compromised the integrity of the sport to some extent.)
And this year – with WVU making such a good showing and you perhaps needing some extra time with your legs up after your big race yesterday – is the year to do it!
I love the underdog! I’ve been known to cry during the tournament when a lesser known team beats the sure win! And as an UVM alumnii, you can be sure I’ve already done a happy dance for them and will continue to pull out my green and gold.
I’ll be right there with you cheering on UVM! (Didn’t they have a great run a few years ago, despite the odds? I remember them having an eccentric coach who has since retired and does wacky commentary on ESPN.)
My daughter has a friend at UVM. Great on their dancing. Unfortunate they draw Syracuse first thing. At least the first game is close so UVM should have some presence in the stands.
My dad is a HUGE Syracuse fan. I fully anticipate him to behave unreasonably in the weeks ahead.
Unfortunately, my oldest is like this also, Kristen. I am already dealing with his intense dislike of WV, now SU love. Oh, for lacrosse season to start sooner!
Long, long ago, I used to be a huge NBA basketball fan. I rooted for my team, went to games. Watched on tv. SO much fun.
These days, the best I can do is as much grand slam tennis on tv as I can be awake for! And then I root for different people, depending upon their individual stories, whether an historic record might be made, and so on.
So while I love a good underdog story, it’s not always the underdog I root for. But in these difficult days, I think we need heroes of all sorts. Men and women who achieve against the odds, men and women who “do good,” men and women who exemplify honor in a world that no longer holds it in esteem. Men and women who give us hope in a different sort of winning.
Caring people, by nature tend to root for the underdog. It does seem to give one a wonderful sense of joy when the underdog comes out tops. But, mostly I shout for the best player/team without any sense of guilt. That also brings me joy.
I usually root for the under dogs in life, not just sports!
Oooh, I love me an office pool! I even won a few years back. However, more often than not I’m in the middle of the pack, not completely embarrassed, but not an expert “picker” either.
I’m with you on the underdogs, Kristen. Sometimes one of the powerhouses puts on such an incredible display of talent, cohesion, and discipline that it’s hard not to be happy seeing all of their hard work pay off. Nevertheless, I have a soft spot for the little guy!
OMG I don’t have any idea what you are talking about, but I am, once again, wide-eyed at your diverse interests and body of knowledge!
I do like to see women kick ass at any sport. And I’ve heard on the news about UConn which I thought meant YUKON, of course. I hope they kick ass.
I’m quite sure, Camille, that you’re not the first person to make that mistake. :) Thanks for the words of support for my team!
This post kind of reads like a foreign language to me, but my husband is fluent in ‘college basketball’ and would love it. I’ll email it to him at work. ;) He’s a HUGE Gonzaga fan.
For years, Gonzaga was the classic Cinderella in the NCAA tournament. They often managed to upset more highly seeded teams, but now they’ve gotten so good that they’re expected to do well. A David that became a Goliath!
I think Bill Gates said that we all want to see ourselves as underdogs. That being said, I always root for the underdog. I wish I shared your enthusiam for the game of basketball but I do not. Never anything to watch in March. But my favorite underdog story is the Pittsburgh Steelers winning Super Bowl XL. The are the first #6 seed in the NFL playoffs to win a Super Bowl (after becoming the first #6 seed to win a conference title). 2005 was a good year in the ‘burgh!
Now that is a great Cinderella story!
I happened to be on a plane home from Florida the day after that Super Bowl so I had a chance to celebrate with lots of very happy Steelers fans. Their excitement was contagious!
I’m all about the underdog!
March Madness has my husband in a frenzy! Every year he and his bet buddy head to Vegas for a weekend during MM (although this year they couldn’t swing it). They just sit in the Sports Book and rot. :) It’s his idea of nirvana.
I miss my son being home this time of year, because he always got me into the swing. I love basketball. If one of my fave teams is not in a game, I usually either go for the underdog, or pick my team based on region. Not very scientific, I’m afrad.
Good Luck; do you wager any cash?
I’m not a betting woman, Maureen. These days I just fill out a bracket to try to get bragging rights on Husband.
Who doesn’t love a cinderella story? But for me, I always enjoyed March Madness because, back when I worked in the corporate America, it was something fun to do at work that definitely helped us all bond a bit.
University of Kentucky alum and fan, living in an area disgustingly surrounded by Duke fans. GAG ME – have never forgiven Christian Laetner for sinking the shot at the buzzer and defeating my beloved Wildcats, damn – how long ago was that? I think I’m holding a grudge ……
Go Big Blue!!
Julie, you are a woman after my own heart. That same year (1992, I think – yes I can hold a grudge too), Christian Laettner sank a buzzer beater to defeat my UConn team. I cannot imagine living surrounded by Duke fans. What an ordeal!
I hope we can still be friends after I admit that I’m not a big fan of John Calipari. I always think of Kentucky as a classy institution and thought they could have done better than Calipari. The man can coach, though.
Thanks for your comment and good luck to your team!
We must be on the same wavelength…i just created my office pool this morning. Still need to fill out my bracket though…
I’m all about underdogs…but more about regional loyalty. I root for almost any Big 12 team, especially my beloved Missouri Tigers. But when push comes to shove, I’m sorry to report I’m a slave to my bracket…i like to WIN!
I am afraid that I only cheer for one team–my Cougars. But, alas, since they lost the MWC championship I have stopped watching March Madness. : )
When it comes to football though, I usually cheer for the underdog.
I am not a huge sports person, (which is funny, considering my family LOVES any kind of sport), so I can’t really say. But I do enjoy watching a game here and there.
i’m a junkie. love sports. all of them. but nothing is better than tourney time. in fact, i didn’t write about march madness per se, but i did just put up a post re: superstitions. check it out if you can. you’ll appreciate it.
i love the underdog, but i also love excellence. so i regularly root for both, sometimes in the same game.
but w/ regard to rollies clown posse from back in the day?
“In 1985, 8th seeded Villanova defeated the No. 1 ranked defending national champions, Georgetown, to win the title. ”
there’s forever an asterisk by that villanova team and everyone knows why. surely you do, too, right?
so cool that you played and coached. great post and go vols. (by the way, agreed w/ your tweet… we did get jobbed)
Is the asterisk the fact that the 1985 championship game was the last one played without a shot clock? If that’s not it, then you’ve got me stumped and I will forever bow down before you and your superior college basketball knowledge. (I must admit that I was born and raised in a Big East-obsessed family so my sports education may have overlooked anything unseemly involving old Rollie.) :)
But do tell – now you’ve piqued my curiosity!
I love basketball as well. I always root for the underdog.
My six foot four son played basketball for his high school until he had to choose between theater and starting center. He chose theater. I just wish they didn’t have to choose so early.
But we will watch March madness with glee!
We are a college football family. And college football so needs its own Big Dance. But don’t get me started.
My favorite March Madness: the one wherein I filled out a bracket to impress a boy and fell in love with Christian Laettner instead. Ahhhh, Duke.
Uh-oh, Stacia. If you are a Duke fan, we might not be able to be bloggy buddies anymore. :)
But does the fact that I agree with you 100% on the college football playoff concept make up for the fact that I am not a fan of Duke?
Well, Duke, circa 1992. The Laettner years. Otherwise? Meh.
(Also, go, Huskies.)
Oh, what a relief!
I LOVE basketball! University of Miami is out…which makes me sad…but I always love an underdog!
Believe it or not, basketball was my very first passion. I was a little tomboy, utterly obsessed with watching basketball and playing it. I watched and played through high school, but then something about college distracted me from this wonderful sport. I still watch, but my obsession has waned. I am bizarrely good at filling out brackets. During my short stint at the law firm, out of hundreds of colleagues, I held steady at Number #2 in the rankings based on my picks for a long while. Sad to say that garnered more attention than all of the long hours and hard work! C’est la vie, right?
Anyway, I pick Kansas to win every year because my mother hails from Kansas and I’ve always had a soft spot for the Jayhawks!
(Okay, I have not answered a single question you have asked, so I will quit rambling!)
If only we had both fueled our shared passion for basketball into college, we could have been teammates…or at least IM opponents! :)
And now that we’re discussing basketball, it occurs to me that I have seen a photo of Larry Bird at ILI. Larry Bird, Aidan?! What’s a good New Yorker like you doing supporting a Celtic?
Another underdog fan here! (I think it’s in our mom genes) I used to tick off the guys in school. They’d have a pool – fill out the sheet – guess who’d win the NCAAs. And I’d fill it out and pretty much based on a cursory knowledge of the teams AND the color of their jersey I’d usually be in the top three. Go Blue! Or Green! Or Red! Or……..
Husband and I are filling out our brackets tonight. Which uniform color feels strong to you this year? :)
Okay, well we all know me and sports – a big zero, but I do want to say that my daughter is studying probability in her 4th grade math class and their using the NCAA playoffs to do so. Pretty creative!
Love it! When I taught third grade, we learned about percentages using baseball averages so I’m all about using sports to teach mathematical concepts.
Rock Chalk Jayhawk – KU will win.
Man oh man can I get behind an underdog story. I’m not big on watching March Madness or major American sports in general, but throw me a movie about sports, ANY sport, and I’m there. Rooting for the little guy, the losing team, the struggling quarterback.
Just for you (and because I’m so close to UCONN) I’ll be rooting for the Huskies!
Have you seen Hoosiers? Probably my all-time favorite sports underdog movie.
OMG. Have I seen Hoosiers. Only like eleventy-million times. I think I’ve quite possibly seen all the sports movies about ten times each.
Favorite all-time FAVORITE: The Natural.
And the new one, The Blind Side is coming up strong in the Sarah Favorites list.
But, um, yeah. Me and Sports Movies go hand-in-hand.
I love March Madness. You can’t ever predict who will get hot, but someone/team will and all bets are off.
Well, if you do come up with any predictions, be sure to let me know. I’m bound and determined to beat my husband in our little bracket competition!
Thanks for visiting, Jack, and taking the time to comment!
Growing up in Chicago I learned to root for the underdog, but was never a huge sports fan until Phil Jackson had Shaq reading Herman Hesse and all the Lakers doing yoga.
I came to more deeply appreciate basketball when my father-in-law (who was an avid fan of all sports, and hated the Lakers for a some perceived anti-semitic comment made in the ancient past) and my kid who was then about four, totally became sports buddies.
I miss those days of rooting against each other, and his undying belief in the twenty-point comeback with minutes on the clock (and once in awhile he was right).
I’ve come to love March Madness too, just because they are such great games with so much heart… and because my kid loves to watch.
Thanks for writing about it—that’s cool that you were/are such a jock.
Namaste
I L-O-V-E March Madness! Actually I am posting about it tomorrow. As for whom I root for? A little of both…a couple Davids and a couple Goliaths. My alma mater finally made it this year, (Ohio University, woo hoo!) and sadly, they are a MAJOR David. I’m keeping the faith, though!
Good lucky to Ohio University, Gibby! My cousins are also alumni so they’ll be a sentimental favorite in this house as well.
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