By Anthony Giachin ’17, Section Editor

Once a year, college sports hits their peak in the form of the NCAA March Madness basketball tournament that  consists of 68 Division I basketball teams coming together and going head-to-head with one goal in mind: a national championship. Year after year the tournament provides  monumental upsets, heartbreaking losses, and ultimately, a shining moment for one gritty, hardworking team attains the championship. The 2017 tournament was no different than any other tournament in years past, with the unifying trait being complete madness. Before the tournament even starts, the unpredictability can be seen through the odds of actually picking a perfect bracket – 1 in 9.2 quintillion. You have a better chance of dating a super model than making a perfect bracket.

For one team competing in the tournament, the mayhem began well before any games in the tournament were actually played. On March 7, 2017, while the Michigan Wolverines basketball team was departing from the Ann Arbor airport, their plane failed to lift off the ground and slid off the runway. Thankfully, all players and members of the team were safe, but the experience was absolutely shocking and terrifying for all of those involved. For a moment, it became something more than just basketball: lives were nearly lost. Maybe it was this jolting experience that sparked their magical run in the Big Ten tournament, where they ultimately beat Wisconsin in the championship of their division and led them to earn a number 7 seed in the NCAA tournament where they defeated 10 seed Oklahoma State. In the round of 32, the Wolverines upset heavily favored Louisville, who was a two seed. Michigan quickly evoked hope in their fans that they were a team of destiny, as they attempted to continue their winning streak in the Sweet 16. However, their dreams came to a screeching halt when they ran into a strong Oregon Ducks team that rolled over Michigan on its way to a Final Four appearance.

In addition to Michigan,  the Villanova Wildcats were looking to make history in this tournament: After a The stunning finish to last year’s tournament, had the Wildcats defeat the North Carolina Tar Heels on a last second three point shot by sharpshooter Kris Jenkins. The defending champs came out firing in 2017 with 31 wins and earned themselves the overall number one seed in the tournament. With returning players Kris Jenkins, Josh Hart, and Donte DiVincenzo, Villanova looked to be the ninth team in NCAA history to be crowned national champs in back to back years. However, their dreams were quickly spoiled in the round of 32 when underdog 8 seed Wisconsin took down the champs 65-62. Brackets had been busted yet again by an unlikely underdog.

Speaking of underdogs, the South Carolina Gamecocks have made a name for themselves in the 2017 NCAA tournament. A team that struggled to score all year and relied on defense to earn them a 7 seed has shocked the world. Many people predicted they would lose in the first round to 10 seed Marquette, but after handling them, people thought they stood no chance at all against the mighty Duke Blue Devils. With star-studded talent, the Blue Devils were strong contenders to win it all. But the Gamecocks showed that hard work beats skill, as they squeaked away a seven-point victory against Duke. The dream really felt real for South Carolina after this decisive victory and they solidified themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the tournament after they defeated the 3 seeded Baylor Bears in the Sweet 16 which earned them a date with the Florida Gators, who were also riding momentum after a stunning buzzer beater three to defeat the Wisconsin Badgers. South Carolina yet again flexed their muscles, however, and earned their first Final Four appearance in school history by defeating Florida 77-70. Defense wins championships and the Gamecocks have embodied this age old saying.

When the smoke cleared, four titans were left to battle for a national championship:  the Gonzaga Bulldogs, the South Carolina Gamecocks, the Oregon Ducks, and the North Carolina Tar Heels. All of these teams have gone through ups and downs to get to this point. Underdog South Carolina looks to stamp its name in history, while top-seeded North Carolina looks to avenge its loss in the 2016 national championship game against Villanova. The lights out shooting of Oregon and the bruising post play of Gonzaga (also making their first Final Four appearance in school history) cannot be underplayed.

The NCAA tournament has taken over Newark Academy as well. There have been countless brackets and leagues made, as everyone tries to best their friends and flex their sports knowledge. However, with the unpredictability of the tournament, picking a bracket has little to do with knowledge, but more to do with luck. When asked what tactics he used to fill out his bracket Jack Szlosek responded with, “I usually just pick the favorites and sprinkle in some random upsets here and there. When I am really torn on who to pick, I just hold up two objects to my dog and let him decide. Whichever one he sniffs first is my winner.” It’s only weird if it doesn’t work, Jack. There are thousands of different ways to look at a matchup; either study analytics or just go with your gut. But there is one thing almost for certain: you’re never going to pick that perfect bracket.