As football season has come to an end, many sports fans may feel that there is nothing to watch anymore. Even though the NBA and NHL are still playing with playoffs kicking off, and the MLB returning this past March, those events don’t always bring the same level of excitement as March Madness. The spring college basketball tournament brings people of all ages together to make brackets, debate who is the best one and pick a Cinderella to upset a blue blood.

March Madness is a tournament where 64 college basketball Division I schools compete against each other to try and win the national championship. This event means a lot to not only the students and schools selected because not every team makes the tournament, but it also means so much to the fans at home who look forward to watching and enjoying the excitement that the tournament brings.

March Madness started back in 1939. At the time, there were only eight teams in the tournament. Since then, the tournament has increased both in the amount of teams involved and popularity. Even people who may not like or know much about basketball enjoy watching the tournament. The total number of people who watched the tournament back in 2025 was 10.2 million viewers. Some people may try to get a perfect bracket where they get every team who wins correctly. The brackets bring a sense of excitement to the tournament, as it gives a sense of competitiveness with friends and family to get the perfect bracket.

In the spring, many people also see it as a way to inject some joy back into their lives, as the tournament gives viewers something to look forward to and creates moments that people can gain enjoyment from and get people engaged.

“I enjoy the thrill of the 64 best teams in college basketball playing for the national championship and all the upsets along the way,” said Dillon Barnes ‘26.

The excitement from the outcomes of the games will pull people’s attention, every year the tournament brings people closer together as fans gather to watch, react, and share the experience of the tournament.

“I watched the games with both my friends and family. I think it’s special to watch with them and share that moment with them because every year it brings unique experiences,” said Jonah Rab ‘27.

March Madness is more than just a basketball tournament for college athletes; it brings people together. Its unpredictability makes it exciting and enjoyable for everyone, even those who don’t know much about the sport.