As we all know, the NCAA March Madness tournament has 64 teams participating.
In addition to the 32 league champions who are directly eligible to participate, the remaining 33 participating seats are officially authorized by the NCAA to be selected by the selection committee.
The selection committee determines whether a team can qualify for the tournament based on factors such as record, league strength, and schedule strength, as well as the specific seed ranking, and then reasonably distributes it to four divisions.
Before the main game of the championship begins, there is a play-off round.
In the play-offs, the judges select the two weakest teams to face off, and the winner will get the last spot in the top 64.
With the announcement of the March Madness schedule, every team is preparing intensively.
The Davidson Wildcats were assigned to the Western Division and were selected as the No. 2 seed in the Western Division by the judges.
Their first opponent in this year's March Madness tournament was Montana State University, which reached the top 64 with a wild card.
It can be said that all members of the Wildcats are very unfamiliar with this team.
This is because Montana State University has made it to March Madness for the first time, and they have never made it to the NCAA National Championship before.
Therefore, Montana State University's information in March Madness is completely blank, giving people the feeling of a mysterious teacher.
In March Madness, this situation is very common. Most opponents know nothing about each other. This kind of game is full of unknowns and can attract attention.
This is one of the reasons why March Madness is so popular among fans.
After the matchup table came out, McClop immediately found game videos related to his opponents to watch, and then convened the coaching staff to formulate corresponding tactics.
In March Madness, no opponent can be underestimated. In a knockout match that determines the outcome, anything can happen.
This is also the reason why upsets happen every year.
The only way to reduce upsets is to understand your opponent and formulate corresponding tactics.
After the daily training the next day, head coach McClop held a tactical meeting.
"Our first opponent is the little-known Montana State University. I think everyone feels strange after hearing the name. Do you think we have a chance to win?"
"That would be a big mistake. Such a strange opponent is extremely deadly and can capsize if you are not careful. Therefore, we cannot take it lightly and must take this opponent extremely seriously."
After McClop gave the Wildcats players a warning, he continued: "Next, let me introduce their core players."
"Ryan Brooks, 183 centimeters tall, serves as a point guard. He is the organizational brain of Montana State University. He averages 5.6 assists per game and is a traditional point guard."
"Jalen Brunson, 201 centimeters tall, plays the role of small forward. He is strong and powerful, averaging 14.8 points per game. He is a breakthrough forward."
…
Sun Yi, who was sitting down to listen to the lecture, looked confused. McClop mentioned several players' names one after another, but he had never heard of them.
Coach, these people you mentioned are so awesome, why don’t I know any of them?
As Sun Yi, an NBA encyclopedia, he has never heard of these people. They either failed to enter the NBA, or they became the patron saint of water fountains after entering the NBA, and then were ruthlessly eliminated after not staying in the NBA for long.
"The opponents in the first round are not strong and should be able to win easily."
Sun Yi didn't pay attention to them verbally, but he still kept the playing characteristics of these players in mind. He didn't want to fail in the first NCAA national championship.
Now every time he plays in a knockout game, he can improve his draft stock by one or two.
Draft picks can be linked to money, and different picks will get different contracts.
Sun Yi will not struggle with money. No one will think that money is too much.
After McClop introduced the core players of Montana State University, he asked assistant coach Smith to distribute the collected information and then arrange the offensive and defensive tactics for the next game.
"Sun, Brunson has been handed over to you, are there any questions?"
"Okay, coach, don't worry, I promise to complete the task." Sun Yi replied confidently.
Immediately afterwards, McClop assigned corresponding tasks to Curry, Whiteside and others.
After the tactical meeting, McClop dismissed the team and asked the players to go back and have a good rest.
Sun Yi didn't stay for more training, he shouldn't be too curmudgeonly.
…
…
On March 18, the NCAA National Championship officially kicked off.
March Madness is one of the biggest sports events in the United States every year.
During this period, NCAA officials will organize a prediction event to allow fans to guess which team will win the final championship. Fans who guess correctly will receive an exquisite gift.
However, March Madness is no longer a basketball game, but an event in which all people participate.
So why is March Madness so popular?
This has something to do with its competition system.
In a game that determines the outcome, anything is possible.
Such an exciting game mode greatly increases the enjoyment of the game.
Even if a future NBA superstar is in full swing, if he performs poorly in a game, he will be eliminated and completely miss the championship.
In addition, college players are all young people, so it is reasonable for their performance to be unstable sometimes.
Therefore, in these competitions, there are often upsets in each round. This great uncertainty makes Crazy San's popularity even more explosive.
Emotions are also one of the important reasons why Crazy Three is so popular.
Americans' affection for their alma mater far exceeds our imagination.
Americans have a deep sense of pride in their universities, and much of this pride is gained through sports in college.
Therefore, the auditoriums at March Madness games are often packed.
Regardless of victory or defeat, alumni will cheer for their alma mater from the bottom of their hearts.
Michael Jordan has appeared at March Madness many times to cheer for his alma mater, North Carolina.
The most important point is that NCAA sports competition is more pure than commercial leagues.
College players don't get paid like NBA players, their sense of honor and aggressiveness are what motivate them to fight bravely.
Moreover, there are not so many commercial factors in the NCAA. The only motivation for players on the court is to win the game. They will try their best in the game, which also makes the game more intense and more enjoyable to watch.
Such a fanatical sports event will naturally affect other sports.
During March Madness, the NBA's ratings will be greatly affected.
Even on the day of the NCAA Finals, the NBA will suspend the game for one day and not arrange any games.
This shows the influence of March Madness across the United States.
At the same time, all members of the Wildcats came to Phoenix.
Sun Yi and his teammates took the bus to the hotel where they were staying. Looking at the street scene outside the window, they felt the craze brought by March Madness.
"It's so crazy!" Sun Yi sighed.
This is still on the street. If it were in a competition venue, the scene would be so spectacular!
"March Madness, I came, I saw, I conquered!"
This chapter has been completed!