March Chaos

Grant Snowden, Commentator

Every year millions of people fill out their brackets hoping to win the grand prize of $18,000. Or perhaps the $25 challenge and bets among friends to keep it fun. Regardless, March is a time of madness and chaos and a fun time to compete against friends and family. March Madness has tipped off for the first time since 2019 and we’re down to the sweet 16. Like every year multiple top-seeded teams are knocked off early in the tournament. This year they’re bigger and better. For the first time since the 2013 Florida Gulf Coast team, this year’s sweet 16 features a 15 seed. That team would be Oral Roberts. The Golden Eagles entered the tournament 16-10 after winning the Summit League championship. Before knocking off 10 seed Florida in the second round 81-78, they took on the heavily favored Ohio State Buckeyes. The Golden Eagles led most of the game even leading at half 36-33. This game had runs for both teams and at the regulation, the game ended tied 64-64 before the Golden Eagles would pull away and win the one in overtime, 75-72. 

Bracket contender, junior Cade Perkins, is one of those people that competes in the yearly bracket challenge. Currently, he sits at an impressive 380 points, picking 10 out of the 16 teams left correctly. Some of Cade’s best picks include, (13) Ohio defeating (4) Virginia, (6) USC defeating (3) Kansas, (12) Oregon State defeating (4) Oklahoma State and (11) Syracuse knocking off both (6) SDSU and (3) West Virginia. Perkins champion pick is Gonzaga.

“They have, in my opinion, the best post player in Drew Timme, as well as other key players, such as Kispert and Suggs,” Perkins said.Sweet 16 games will tip-off March 27 with (12) Oregon St. talking on (8) Loyola Chicago at 1:40 p.m.