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Why March Madness is (still) better than any NBA game

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March Madness

The Official NCAA Men's March Madness Basketball

During March Madness, college basketball is at its best. The purity and intensity of the game at the collegiate level is, in my opinion, basketball at its finest – and it’s not just because of what happens on the court. Compare what’s waiting for the teams once they’re out of public view, and you’ll see why college hoops dominates NBA b-ball even after the final buzzer.

College Locker Room:

10 to 15 six-foot-plus players crammed together on wooden benches. It’s hot as blazes, and everyone’s soaked in sweat. Ice packs and bandages cling to knees, shoulders, chests, backs. Everyone is tired, everyone is hungry and thirsty – yet none of the players speak of this. There is no mention of their rumbling stomachs, pounding headaches and physical exhaustion. No one speaks except for the coach. When his speech is over the players shower quickly, pop in an iPod, throw on hoodies and sweatpants and make their way out the back door towards the same bus that got them here. They’ll drive for hours until they’re finally home in their cramped college apartments, where they’ll look over some class notes and eat leftovers, before immediately collapsing into bed to hopefully catch six hours of sleep before practice tomorrow.

NBA Locker Room:

High ceilings tower over all twelve of the spacious, well-lit rooms that look like something out of a magazine. (In this case, it is out of a magazine.) Players casually peel off their pricey garb and joke around. Expensive armchairs embroidered with the team’s logo sit before every locker – which is four feet wide, eight feet tall – where brand names like Armani, Ralph Lauren, Gucci and Dolce & Gabbana are hanging inside. When everyone is showered and dressed, and after speeches are made (if any are) – in come the agents, chattering to their clients about this week’s photo shoot with Nike, Reebok, etc. Next come the cameras, digital recorders, notepads and pens, as the press swarm and huddle around tonight’s star. They laugh desperately when they’re supposed to and step on each other’s toes and elbow one another to get closer to the star – who coincidentally has already abruptly stood up, put on his shades and headed out to his waiting Bentley. He or his chauffeur will drive straight to the fancy, expensive hotel rooms that at least two women have already snuck into.

Ok, so most of this is sappy B.S. And obviously, most NBA players got to the level they’re at by working their asses off for their entire life, so they deserve most of the nice things that college kids can only dream about.

The reason that I appreciate college basketball during the coming weeks is the reason they do this. It’s not for money or fame. It’s for the team, for the school, for the game itself. At this level basketball is at its most pure and real and unexpected and crazy and exciting. So even if you’re not a fan, or if you don’t like sports, or don’t watch or pay attention to college basketball – now is a great time to tune in, pick a team and follow them all the way (just don’t pick your husband’s rival to win it all because you think it will be fun. That’s grounds for divorce). I promise, it will be worth it.

College basketball in March – March Madness – is the real deal, and it’s guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Check out the action in the 2011 Men’s NCAA College Basketball Tournament on Dish Network – Find all your favorite teams and get your fill of all the Madness this March on Dish Network’s ESPN Full Court Package, Channels 455-466.


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