Why you should watch this year's NCAA Tournament

The NCAA Tournament tips off formally (don’t start with me about the First Four) on Thursday, and for many sports fans the first game marks the start of a four-day bacchanalia of basketball that represents an unmatched spectacle in American sports. Office productivity goes in the toilet, people call off from work to watch the games and even non-hoops fans tend to get in on the action. Without further ado, let’s take a look at some of the reasons why you should watch this year’s NCAA Tournament.

Zion Williamson

Most of us hate Duke, right? Unless you're an alum or you’re one of those front-runners who likes the Blue Devils, Yankees, Patriots and Warriors, the consistent excellence of Coach K and his merry band of flopping, floor-slapping infuriatingly good ballplayers likely grates on you. Having said that, Williamson is something else altogether. He’s a viral sensation and a dunk machine, and he's virtually impossible to hate on. There is debate in some corners about how good he will be in the NBA, but there’s no arguing what he is at the college level: a terrifying, awe-inspiring force of nature. Zion alone is worth your viewership.

Ja Morant

If Williamson is the name-brand star of this tournament, Morant is the darling of hardcore fans, and even saying that, his high-flying exploits have already gone fairly mainstream. Morant poured in 36 points in the Ohio Valley Conference Championship against top-seeded Belmont, guiding the Racers to a 77-65 win. If you’ve never heard of Morant before now, think Russell Westbrook with a little less scowling. He’s a spindly, hyperathletic dunk machine from the point guard spot and the straw that stirs the drink for Murray State. Expect tons of points and a possible first-round upset — maybe more. Oh, and while Williamson was always destined to be one of the top picks in the 2019 NBA Draft, Morant’s stock has skyrocketed to the point where he could be one of the first handful of players chosen.

The blue bloods are powerful

North Carolina — check. Duke — check. Kentucky — check. Three of the biggest names in the sport are all strong, with UNC and Duke each No. 1 seeds, and all three are legitimate threats to become the champs. Roy Williams’ Tar Heels lost to Duke in the ACC Tournament semifinal, but that may have been a blessing in disguise because it would have been tough for them to win four in one year over their archrivals — in the plausible event that they meet in the Final Four. If the recipe for a great tournament is a run of first-weekend upsets giving way to a powerhouse Sweet 16 and beyond, the second part of the equation is well in hand.

Virginia’s revenge tour

The Cavaliers didn’t just become the first No. 1 seed to lose to a 16 —they got routed and humiliated by UMBC in last year's tournament. The upset was a validation of sorts for those who believe Tony Bennett’s defense-first philosophy hurts Virginia come tournament time. This year, De'Andre Hunter, Kyle Guy and Co. were dominant in the ACC, with two losses to Duke their only blemishes until an upset at the hands of Florida State in the conference tournament. A 29-3 record still got the Cavaliers a No. 1 seed, but while there aren’t concerns about UNC or Duke making a deep run, Virginia will have its doubters. Will the Cavaliers shut them up with a deep run, perhaps to a championship? Or will they crash and burn on the first weekend again? The country (and if you believe the rumors, UCLA fans) will be watching.

Villanova’s back-to-back quest

Can the Wildcats successfully defend their 2017-18 title? Most experts say no, and while they are a No. 6 seed, they’re nowhere near the historically dominant outfit they were last year when every one of their tourney wins was by at least 12 points. Still, they have Phil Booth and Eric Paschall, and they have Jay Wright. If any team deserves to get the benefit of the doubt this time of year, it’s the one that can claim two of the last three national championships.

Cinderellas

True basketball fans love the later rounds of the tournament, where the country’s best teams battle it out in heavyweight showdowns. But the real nationwide appeal of the event rests with those plucky underdogs that capture the imagination and continue to do the improbable. Last year it was Loyola-Chicago and Sister Jean. Who will it be this year? Buffalo and Wofford seem like candidates, and New Mexico State is lurking as well. St. Mary’s went from out of the tournament to in the field after a shocking West Coast Conference tournament win over Gonzaga. Might the Gaels make some noise? Either way, it’s a sure thing that some team will destroy everyone’s brackets with a deep run.

It’s the NCAA Tournament

Is any further explanation really necessary? It’s the NCAA Tournament. Sit back, relax and enjoy.