From the Sidelines
As the Marion Middle School wrestling team ending its season Monday night, it marked a two-week break for any Marion school athletics.
The next time Marion athletes compete for real will be the April 1 baseball and softball varsity high school games.
Fortunately for local sports fans, those two weeks just happen to be the beginning of "March Madness."
For Kansas it means a chance at the national title.
For Kansas State it means getting ripped off by the selection committee when they weren't picked for the NIT.
For Wichita State it means possibly being angry for not making the Big Dance, but only at itself for dropping six of its last nine games. They do have a good shot at the NIT title however.
For Missouri it means, well, not much since fans have talked about a NCAA championship the past two years and ended up with two NIT appearances and coach Quin Snyder looking like he got about three hours of sleep total.
For Marion High School and college basketball fans, it means no conflicting schedules.
Even the semifinal and championship rounds are on MHS off days.
To some it might not seem like that big of a deal. But as one ESPN.com columnist reported: The person who runs the office bracket pool has more power than the CEO.
Everyone loves the NCAA tournament. Even non-fans take notice because most of America does.
According to an ESPN.com article, business was down $1.5 billion during last year's tournament. The losses mainly stemmed from employees playing hooky to watch their team, and their bosses joining them.
It's just that big of a deal.
It wouldn't be if not for the pools and everyone in the office thinking they are going to be the big winner.
However, even without pools the NCAA tournament would still be heavily watched. With NBA ratings down, fans are turning to the "pure" game, as it is called, of college basketball.
So, the non-conflicting schedules makes it that much easier to watch for MHS parents and fans.
No parent needs to make up some lame excuse like the following to miss their child's game to watch coverage of the NCAA tournament.
College student (and yes I did this): "I don't need to go to class, I did the assigned readings, it won't hurt to stay at home and watch the tournament."
Result on next week's economics test: F.
Employee: "Uhh, yeah, my wife's car broke down, and I have to go get her. Then we have to drive across town to pick up her car up at the shop, and, um, it's gonna take a while."
The next week at the all-staff meeting: (unless boss joined you to "go pick up your wife's car"): "You're fired."
So, MHS fans, enjoy the two-week break by sitting back and watching some college basketball games.
And good luck with your picks!
