A first for me.

[DoubleDee]

Even in past years where we didn't make the tournament, I was excited to watch the tournament, for all the usual reasons. I oddly have zero interest, and had all I could do to fill out my bracket. What is happening? Has the sport changed so much it's losing it's hold on us? Will the television ratings plumet this year?

 

[STEVEHOLT]

Even in past years where we didn't make the tournament, I was excited to watch the tournament, for all the usual reasons. I oddly have zero interest, and had all I could do to fill out my bracket. What is happening? Has the sport changed so much it's losing it's hold on us? Will the television ratings plumet this year?

I forgot there were games on

 

[ClamOtto]

The games so far won't help. I wonder if we'll see fewer upsets as the state of the game becomes more unequal.

 

[jncuse]

The games so far won't help. I wonder if we'll see fewer upsets as the state of the game becomes more unequal.

Based on KP, the #1 seeds and #2 seeds are probably the strongest ever, in relation to the rest of the NCAA.

I would imagine the movement out of players from mid-majors to majors as JR/SR, probably has a decent impact.

 

[djcon57]

Even in past years where we didn't make the tournament, I was excited to watch the tournament, for all the usual reasons. I oddly have zero interest, and had all I could do to fill out my bracket. What is happening? Has the sport changed so much it's losing it's hold on us? Will the television ratings plumet this year?

I think us not being good is some part of it...but I have to admit I was wrong on the impact of "Stars" being associated with schools.

One and done guys (Durant, Melo, etc) are one thing. But those guys are still associated with Texas, Cuse, whatever. The vast majority of players just have no emotional attachment with their school for me

I used to be able to link at least one player with every top 4 seed in my sleep. No chance I could do that now

 

[Jasoncuse]

The games so far won't help. I wonder if we'll see fewer upsets as the state of the game becomes more unequal.

At least this year feels that way. I think we'll still see a handful of double digit seed wins, but I find it hard to believe we'll see many mid-major types make deep runs again. And then the 4-9 seeds feel weak. I had a hard time seeing any of the 1-3 seeds going down before the S16 when picking a bracket and the FF already feels super chalky.

 

[FrancoPizza]

Didn't fill out a bracket, didn't watch a single game.

30% is the sport being ruined, 70% SU just not being a part of it for 4 friggin years... and this year knowing we were not going dancing after Lemoyne.

 

[Orangello]

Not watching a minute this year.

 

[JDubbin]

Hands down, still my favorite sports day of the year… that’ll never change

 

[85SUAlum]

I rarely have interest in the NCAAs if SU is not in them, but this year and last, I have even less interest. All this conference realignment along with the portal and NIL stuff has really soured me on college sports. I'll maybe check to see if any low seeded teams score some upsets, but have no plans to watch any of the games. There is so much better TV to watch on the various streaming services that I need to catch up on.

 

[NKR1978]

Even in past years where we didn't make the tournament, I was excited to watch the tournament, for all the usual reasons. I oddly have zero interest, and had all I could do to fill out my bracket. What is happening? Has the sport changed so much it's losing it's hold on us? Will the television ratings plumet this year?

I'm in a box pool so I'm checking games. Hit on the Wisconsin game. But other than checking scores, I'm not sure I could care less about this tournament.

 

[sufandu]

The extent of me caring so far has been to root against SEC teams. After Gonzaga's win today, maybe I'll adopt them.

 

[nycfan]

It is still my favorite weekend of the year, particular the first two days with 16 games each day (and often all 4 regions in progress at the same time). The only thing I miss is the annual March Madness Vegas trip I used to do with the boys for 20+ years. That was absolute paradise for the first weekend.

 

[Scooch]

The sport is a complete mess.

But the tourney is still amazing.

 

[cuseattle]

Hands down, still my favorite sports day of the year… that’ll never change
View attachment 250467

Very nice set up!

 

[Col. Bleep]

Still the best sporting event in America.

And if you're not watching St. John's toniight you're missing a chance to get sick.
They defend as if their existence depended on it.
And they do it right...moving feet...arms straight up...etc.
It is possible to teach good D.
Maybe the Orange should try it.

 

[NineOneSeven]

Lol suit yourself!

 

[JKinPhilly]

I haven’t done a bracket in about 3 years, and that’s after religiously doing brackets for 40+ years since I was in grade school. Once we are back in I know I will be as well.

 

[Newhouser]

Still the best sporting event in America.

And if you're not watching St. John's toniight you're missing a chance to get sick.
They defend as if their existence depended on it.
And they do it right...moving feet...arms straight up...etc.
It is possible to teach good D.
Maybe the Orange should try it.

St Johns vs Arkansas will be a clinic on D. LIke Cal or not - his teams (and this Arkansas team is no different) are very well schooled defensively.

 

[adk(roc)CUSE]

Even in past years where we didn't make the tournament, I was excited to watch the tournament, for all the usual reasons. I oddly have zero interest, and had all I could do to fill out my bracket. What is happening? Has the sport changed so much it's losing it's hold on us? Will the television ratings plumet this year?

I was sure it was going to be the same way for me. I barely watched college basketball this year and what I did was Syracuse, and we all know what that was like. But as soon as the intro hit yesterday afternoon I was back 100%. Had the games on all day, albeit in the background at times. Stayed up way to late to wacth right through the end of the Wilminington/Texas Tech game.

Feeling those 6 or so Southern Tier IPA's that accompanied me on that journey on this early work day morning

 

[Cuse12]

I absolutely love it still. Never as fun when cuse is out, but I guess I’m getting used to them not being involved for better or for worse.

Still an amazing thing to throw on at the office and everyone’s chirping about the games, brackets etc.

 

[Janner]

Gambling on the games help, but you are not alone in you sentiments. College basketball has, and is continuing, to lose its luster. A little ways back someone posted ratings for the final 4 over the past 20 or so years and the ratings are less than half of what they were back in the early 2000's, if my memory is correct. Imagine what they would be if gambling was still illegal.

 

[Blanko97]

Even in past years where we didn't make the tournament, I was excited to watch the tournament, for all the usual reasons. I oddly have zero interest, and had all I could do to fill out my bracket. What is happening? Has the sport changed so much it's losing it's hold on us? Will the television ratings plumet this year?

same boat, made all my brackets and then life got in the way. Maybe im just getting older but it was a weird feeling

 

[Fly Rodder]

Haven’t done a bracket in awhile. But I still watch the games. It’s interesting to me to watch a lot of other programs at once and try to put myself in their fans’ shoes. Like what would I be yelling about if it was SU? Lets me be a bit more objective when it comes to SU.

 

[Eric15]

Even in past years where we didn't make the tournament, I was excited to watch the tournament, for all the usual reasons. I oddly have zero interest, and had all I could do to fill out my bracket. What is happening? Has the sport changed so much it's losing it's hold on us? Will the television ratings plumet this year?

It's funny, I'm the opposite. Because I've become desensitized to us not making it, I actually watched quite a bit of games yesterday. In 2007 for instance when we controversially didn't get in, I watched very little because I was so devastated.