Dear JAMMers,
Every year when March rolls around, I’m convinced by friends and family to join a March Madness Pool in hopes of winning some cash. And every year, my bracket is a total bust and I never win a dime. Last year, I made brackets for both the men’s and women’s tournaments, so it was double trouble. I always fall for the madness, and this year is no exception given my alma mater St. John’s University is actually a solid contender! How can I not participate?
Here are the 6 phases of emotions I experience during the March Madness Tournament. Hopefully other folks out there can relate to my journey…
Phase 1: Hell Yes: I love basketball and college basketball is wayyyy more fun to watch than the pros. So when March Madness comes around, it’s a no-brainer that I’ll join any and all pools. Plus, anyone who knows me knows that I love a little gambling moment.
Phase 2: How Much Should I Think? When it’s time to build my bracket, I’m always torn between actually putting thought into it or just clicking aimlessly and hoping for the best. I usually end up making two brackets - one where I put SOME brain power behind it and another where I go purely off of vibes.
Phase 3: This Is My Year!: The tournament starts and I am ALL in, watching as many games as I can and constantly checking my bracket to see how it’s doing. For a brief moment, my bracket isn’t doing TOO bad and I’m delusional enough to think, “Maybe this is my year!” Oh, Nicole…
Phase 4: Immediate Defeat: Welp, it was fun while it lasted. By the middle of the second round, my bracket is totally busted and the amount of games has been way too hard to keep up with. At this point, I might check my bracket every few days just to torture myself with how low I’m ranking in the pool.
Phase 5: Let’s Go, Random Team!: Once we’re down to the Final Four, I’m back in it, baby. Not for the money, but for the game. Like I said, I love basketball and will always tune back in at the end of the tournament. By now, I’m probably rooting for the underdog and have become way too emotionally invested in a team I’ve just been introduced to a week ago.
Phase 6: Should I Get Season Tickets?: Every year when the tournament finishes, I am somehow always surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I tell myself that I should watch more NCAA games next season and maybe even attend games in person! (Let’s all laugh together)
Aaand the cycle continues. Maybe this year I’ll learn my lesson.
Unrelated, can someone spot me $40?
Go Johnnies,
Nicole
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