The NCAA’s March Madness tournament is always a major event in the world of sports. With 64 Division I schools out of 324 competing, only one team becomes the national champion. This leads to highly competitive and dramatic games for fans to enjoy.

Former University of Kansas basketball star, Sherron Collins, knows from firsthand experience the sheer competitiveness that comes with playing in the March Madness tournament. Collins was a key member of the legendary KU team that won the 2008 National Championship; he explained what it was like winning it all. 

“It’s the best feeling. To this day, I’ve played professionally, I played in the NBA and I played overseas. Kansas was the best point in my life basketball wise,” Collins said. “You fight all year just to get to that one game… so I will say winning it all was one of the biggest accomplishments of my life.” 

March Madness is a roller coaster of emotions, with highs and lows. One of the aspects of the tournament that makes it so remarkable is the upsets. Neutral fans love to see an underdog story like a 16 seed beating a 1 seed.  

“You feel good for the 16 seed,” junior Jackson Lickert said. “Knowing that they worked hard all season and then coming into the game where they’re heavily favored to lose and pulling it out. You just kind of feel happy for them.”

Another major draw for fans when it comes to March Madness is the camaraderie that comes with rooting for a team. 

“It’s just a great time to come together and watch some good basketball and be fans together.” junior Logan Hannah said.

Like other major sporting events such as the Super Bowl and the World Cup; March Madness is a special time that unites friends and family, whether it be rooting for their favorite team, or just enjoying competitive basketball.