March Madness 2009 heads into the Final Four weekend in Detroit this upcoming weekend. While some would say that the tournament is drawing to a close because less games are being played, the truth is that the real fun is just beginning because the stakes are higher than ever.
Back when the 2009 Men's College basketball season began, it seemed pretty evident that UNC would take the tournament, no questions asked. However, with the way that the season ended - the experts and teams alike have been asking questions. Will UNC really win the national championship? Not if any of the other teams have anything to say about it.
On Saturday April 4th, Connecticut and Michigain St. will pair up for what should turn out to be a will fought battle. Don't be surprised if Tom Izzo's Spartains add to the March Madness this year and skate their way into the championship game. They have proven themselves to be a defensive powerhouse and offensive workers as well - we saw that when they completely obliterated Louisville. However, Jim Calhoun's won't exit March Madness 2009 without a fight. They have been scrapping all year, throught the Big East tournament, and are hungry for another championship.
On the other side of the March Madness 2009 Bracket, Villonave is gearing up to play ACC powerhouse and March Madness veteran UNC Tarheels. The Tarheels have weathered the NCAA tournament well so far this year and have avoided any upsets or even close games for that matter. Villanove has not been especially strong in their past few games, and could end up succumbing to the madness by the time that UNC is done having their way with them.
March Madness 2009 draws to a close on Monday, April 6th. While there is less than a week left - there is still plenty of basketball to be played, and a national champion to crown.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
March Madness 2009 Bracket Contests
Each year millions of people start their own bracket pools in hopes to beat their friends and win big. Many websites, social networks, and sports news companies have released bracket competitions of their own. Check a few of them out below:
Yahoo! Sports: Yahoo! is pulling its yearly cool $1 Million prize contest for the March Madness 2009 Tournament Pick 'Em. The catch is, you have to pick all of the games and final socre of the championship perfectly to win. It won't be easy, but I might just do it...ha. Seriously though, the top overall player to come away from the NCAA Tournament with the most correct picks will end up holding a nice $10,000 check. Not bad, not bad at all.
FaceBook: There are a few March Madness FaceBook Apps floating around claiming to give some cash prizes to winners. In most of the contests, the bracketologist with the most correct picks will be rewarded with $500, followed by $300 for the second place finisher, and $200 for third. Not as much as Yahoo!, but still worth entering - ya' never know!
PickManager: PickManager.com has the biggest ever March Madness bracket pool running. The grand prize for a perfectly picked bracket is a sizzlin' $100 Million. Other consolation prizes are available, but why settle when $100,000,000 is on the line?
Yahoo! Sports: Yahoo! is pulling its yearly cool $1 Million prize contest for the March Madness 2009 Tournament Pick 'Em. The catch is, you have to pick all of the games and final socre of the championship perfectly to win. It won't be easy, but I might just do it...ha. Seriously though, the top overall player to come away from the NCAA Tournament with the most correct picks will end up holding a nice $10,000 check. Not bad, not bad at all.
FaceBook: There are a few March Madness FaceBook Apps floating around claiming to give some cash prizes to winners. In most of the contests, the bracketologist with the most correct picks will be rewarded with $500, followed by $300 for the second place finisher, and $200 for third. Not as much as Yahoo!, but still worth entering - ya' never know!
PickManager: PickManager.com has the biggest ever March Madness bracket pool running. The grand prize for a perfectly picked bracket is a sizzlin' $100 Million. Other consolation prizes are available, but why settle when $100,000,000 is on the line?
Monday, March 16, 2009
March Madness 2009 First Timers
Each year, a number of teams make it into the Big Dance for the first time every for their university. Below, is a look at the the teams who have made March Madness 2009 the banner year for the basketball program at their school.
Stephen F. Austin - Stephen F. Austin took the Southland Conference title to snag their first entry into the NCAA Tournament. They managed to sneak in as a 14 seed and will face off against #3 Syracuse. While Syracuse should win, they did prove to be a vulnerable team mid-season. However, 'Cuse's momentum from a strong showing in the Big East tournament should be enought to make it an in and out appearance for Stephen F. Austin University.
Binghamton Univeristy - Binghamton University skated through the America East Conference tournament to grab their first March Madness berth. Binghamton U.'s head coach Kevin Broadus has proven to be the turnaround that BU needed, taking the team from a sappy .500 performance last year, and resurrecting them to be a conference super-power. Binghamton should prove to be a strong team in the coming years due to only 2 seniors graduating, however their NCAA tournament appearance looks to be a bit less promising. The #15 seeded Bearcats face a #2 seed Duke team coming off an ACC tournament win, and hungry for another NCAA tournament championship coming off of a few years of drought.
North Dakota State University - NDSU has managed grab their first tournament appearance in their first year of postseason eligibility, and is the first team from North Dakota to make it into March Madness. Talk about a team of firsts. However, getting their first NCAA tournament win looks a bit less promising. NDSU took a #14 spot and will play the #3 seeded defending champion Kansas Jayhawks. NDSU will most likely round out their week of firsts with their first March Madness loss. Such is life.
Morgan State - Morgan State University is the fastest growing college in Maryland, and a March Madness debut should help gain the university even more exposure. Morgan State took the MEAC title and earned a berth into March Madness 2009. Unfortunately, like the rest of the first timers, Morgan State has quite a hurdle to overcome before they can make it on to the next round. Morgan managed a #15 seed and is paired with #2 seeded Oklahoma.
With any amount of luck, and perhaps a bit of March Madness Magic one of the first timers may be able to squeeze into the second round. I doubt it will happen, but I would love to be wrong.
Stephen F. Austin - Stephen F. Austin took the Southland Conference title to snag their first entry into the NCAA Tournament. They managed to sneak in as a 14 seed and will face off against #3 Syracuse. While Syracuse should win, they did prove to be a vulnerable team mid-season. However, 'Cuse's momentum from a strong showing in the Big East tournament should be enought to make it an in and out appearance for Stephen F. Austin University.
Binghamton Univeristy - Binghamton University skated through the America East Conference tournament to grab their first March Madness berth. Binghamton U.'s head coach Kevin Broadus has proven to be the turnaround that BU needed, taking the team from a sappy .500 performance last year, and resurrecting them to be a conference super-power. Binghamton should prove to be a strong team in the coming years due to only 2 seniors graduating, however their NCAA tournament appearance looks to be a bit less promising. The #15 seeded Bearcats face a #2 seed Duke team coming off an ACC tournament win, and hungry for another NCAA tournament championship coming off of a few years of drought.
North Dakota State University - NDSU has managed grab their first tournament appearance in their first year of postseason eligibility, and is the first team from North Dakota to make it into March Madness. Talk about a team of firsts. However, getting their first NCAA tournament win looks a bit less promising. NDSU took a #14 spot and will play the #3 seeded defending champion Kansas Jayhawks. NDSU will most likely round out their week of firsts with their first March Madness loss. Such is life.
Morgan State - Morgan State University is the fastest growing college in Maryland, and a March Madness debut should help gain the university even more exposure. Morgan State took the MEAC title and earned a berth into March Madness 2009. Unfortunately, like the rest of the first timers, Morgan State has quite a hurdle to overcome before they can make it on to the next round. Morgan managed a #15 seed and is paired with #2 seeded Oklahoma.
With any amount of luck, and perhaps a bit of March Madness Magic one of the first timers may be able to squeeze into the second round. I doubt it will happen, but I would love to be wrong.
Watch March Madness 2009 Online
March Madness 2009 games begin on 12pm Thursday and Friday. The fact is, most people are at work at this time and do not have access to a T.V.
Luckily, CBS Sports (who owns the broadcast rights to March Madness 2009) have taken this all into account and have set up March Madness on Demand. March Madness on Demand lets people watch all of the March Madness 2009 games Live - 100% Free!
If you find yourself somewhere without a TV, be sure to power up your smartphone, iPod Touch, or computer to mmod.ncaa.com so that you can stay on top of the latest plays and upsets.
March Madness 2009 looks like it will be one of the craziest and well-played yet, don't miss it!
Luckily, CBS Sports (who owns the broadcast rights to March Madness 2009) have taken this all into account and have set up March Madness on Demand. March Madness on Demand lets people watch all of the March Madness 2009 games Live - 100% Free!
If you find yourself somewhere without a TV, be sure to power up your smartphone, iPod Touch, or computer to mmod.ncaa.com so that you can stay on top of the latest plays and upsets.
March Madness 2009 looks like it will be one of the craziest and well-played yet, don't miss it!
Sunday, March 15, 2009
March Madness 2009 Printable Bracket
While many people prefer to fill out and track their March Madness success with an online bracket. If you do feel the need to track your progress on your own, or hang your bracket on the wall - feel free to print the one below (courtesy of ESPN).
March Madness 2009 3rd & 4th Round Venues
March Madness 2009 Venues for Rounds 1 & 2
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