It’s March and that means Madness for NCAA Division I Men and Women’s basketball teams. The Men’s bracket was announced Sunday as part of a long selection process by the NCAA selection committee. There are some expected teams in the tournament as well as many surprises, as there is every year. The heavy favorite to win the tournament is, number 1 seeded in the East, the University of North Carolina’s Tar Heels. The Tar Heels have had a marvelous season and look to continue into the tournament. Other powerhouses such as the Virginia Cavaliers, the Xavier Musketeers, the Oklahoma Sooners, the Michigan State Spartans, and the Kansas Jayhawks are looking to make their run in the tournament as well with high seeds and favorable bracket placements.

As it does every year, the tournament has both its surprises and its upsets. Although a number 1 seed has never lost in the first round, I would not count out either Holy Cross or Southern University who would play Oregon in the first round pending a play in game between the two teams. Oregon, as a number one seed, was a huge surprise this year as the Ducks have had a great year but other analysts would say Oklahoma or Michigan State would be more deserving of that seed. Other teams that were surprised for not being invited to the tournament were Monmouth and South Carolina, who both seemed to be a solid pick on Selection Sunday. Monmouth has had a phenomenal season, involving shattering school records, and creating new celebrations every game. They, along with South Carolina, were both a disappointment not to be invited. On the other hand, a team that questionably was invited was Syracuse who received a 10 seed in the tournament. They were thought to have been a sub 11 seed at best but as it always does, Selection Sunday brought shock to the college basketball world.

This year’s tournament is shaping up to be an exciting one and one with upset alerts all over it. If you are filling out a bracket this year, it is going to be on the luck of the draw because there could be upsets, even in the first round, this year. March Madness is here and the talent is incredible. Get your pens and pencils ready to fill out a bracket and be sure to watch the excitement.