5 NCAA Storylines To Watch Heading Into March
The calendar's shortest month comes to an end tonight at midnight, which means we enter March and the madness that comes along with it. (See what I did there?) With that in mind let's take a look at some storylines to watch as we enter March and the lead up to the Big Dance.
Kentucky's run towards history- The Wildcats have rolled teams throughout the season and seem to be clicking on all cylinders as of late winning their last five games by an average of 24.4 points per game. That said, can they do what no team has done on the men's side since Bob Knight's Indiana Hoosiers back in 1975-76 and go undefeated?
Which Mid Major will emerge as the trendy upset pick?- Remember Weber State? How about Long Beach State? Stephen F Austin? Each year there is a mid-major team that after the brackets are announced, everybody jumps on as the upset team. Sometimes we're right, other times, well it doesn't work out as well. My candidate right now? Wofford. People will see that name and remember this performance against Wisconsin back in 2010 and think they can pull the upset this time around.
[youtube:"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uR3FHNMEd8c"]
Bubble Watch- This is always one of the most entertaining things to watch not just from a game standpoint with these teams trying to play their way in, but also from a fan aspect because the fanbase goes nuts whether they do or don't make the tournament. The bracketologists of the world get no sleep for the next three weeks as they constantly update their bracket.
Injuries- Every year there's an injury that happens to a star player around this time of year that ends up really hampering a team's chances of making the tournament, or going as far in the Big Dance. Related to this storyline, is also key players returning from injuries, and Traveon Jackson's possible return soon could be a huge boost to Wisconsin.
Who will be the fan favorite? The best part of filling out the brackets, is watching the whole thing blow up after the first two days when a Cinderella team goes on a run. The reason that's the best part? We don't even care! We love the underdogs especially when they do things like this
[youtube:"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pX1qGr-xKbk"]
With March starting tomorrow, I think I speak for everyone when I say let the madness begin!
Ryan Mayer is an Associate Producer for CBS Local Sports. Ryan lives in NY but comes from Philly and life as a Philly sports fan has made him cynical. Anywhere sports are being discussed, that's where you'll find him.