An ode to March Madness

March Madness is an event unlike anything else. There isn't an event in the American sports landscape that can match the anticipation surrounding it. It's the one time of the year where everything comes to a grinding halt and the world becomes captivated with the sport of Basketball.

What makes this event so exciting?

Could it be because the tournament begins in the middle of a workday and has the nation immediately engaged from the tip off of the first game?

Could it be the feeling of optimism one experiences when filling out their interpretation of the "perfect" bracket?

Whatever the reason may be, the NCAA Men's and Women's Basketball Tournament is an event that brings the nation together over the course of a month and allows people to share a common bond.

This bond is further strengthened when witnessing improbable outcomes. Such as witnessing the first

16-seed beating a No.1 seed, or tiny Loyola Chicago and Sister Jean Delores Schmidt making believers out of the College Basketball world and advancing to the Final Four.

Let's not forget about the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and star guard Arike Ogunbowale, nailing a dagger into the hearts of mighty UConn and into Mississippi State in consecutive games in route to capturing a national title in thrilling fashion.

Whatever the reason, College Basketball has a unique power over us for an entire month, but now the confetti has fell and the nets are cut down and so begins a new cycle of waiting.

Anticipation for next March begins.

Fans eagerly count down the days and anticipation builds for that magical time of the year. Fans yearn to be impressed, for that next unbelievable moment, and are left wondering who will become the next household name. Unfortunately we have to wait another year for the answer.