Beech Tree News Network

The inaugural NCAA basketball tournament in 1939 involved eight schools playing in single elimination play.  It was at that time operated by NABC (National Association of Basketball Coaches).   Oregon defeated Ohio State 46-33 March 27, 1939 to win the first championship.  The Final Four, as the tournament became known, has grown exponentially in size and popularity since 1939.  By 2005, college basketball had become the most popular sporting event among gamblers, after the Superbowl. 

For the first 12 years of the tournament, only eight teams were invited to participate.  That number grew steadily until a 65-team format was introduced in 2001.  Only UCLA(11) has more national titles than Kentucky(8).  Obviously I’m always hoping for title #9.  I’ve been a Wildcat as long as I can remember.  The only other basketball team I cheer for really is WKU-well, and whoever plays Duke. 

Ten years later, in 2011, the tournament field expanded to 68.  UConn won that championship, beating Butler.  The next year, I was a very happy fan.  Kentucky beat Kansas for the title.  2014 was a rough one.  That was our improbable run to the national championship game.  We lost that game to Connecticut 60-54.  That was followed by a National Semifinal loss to Wisconsin 71-64 in 2015. 

Thursday night is Kentucky’s Sweet 16 game against Kansas State.  We already beat one set of Wildcats(Davidson).  Kansas State are also Wildcats.  I’m not in the game of “if we beat….then we play…”.  One at a time. 

For me, March Madness is the beginning of a few months of good times.  College basketball leading right into WrestleMania.  What’s better than that? But that’s just me.