John Calipari (Photo by Vicky Graff)
I can remember where I was when it happened. My car was stopped at the intersection of Third Street and Lexington Avenue in Danville when the news came over my phone. I can say it wasn’t surprising but it was really more surreal.
March Madness had been canceled. Canceled, not postponed. A college basketball junkie’s favorite time of the year. There would be no brackets, no staying up late to watch the games, no watching the early games on your work computer, and no more Kentucky Wildcat basketball for the season in March of 2020.
I remember wondering what I would do with my time. Little did I know it would involve trying to get a pick-up order at Walmart or Kroger, stocking up on toilet paper (I still don’t get that), disinfecting everything that entered my house, buying masks and having no contact with friends and family.
Then last year basketball returned, but it just wasn’t the same. There were no full arenas, games were postponed and masks were the staple equipment on the sideline. Of course, the other issue was a Kentucky team that was 9-16. There was no NCAA Tournament for the Cats but then again the tournament wasn’t the same. No fan interaction, no capacity crowds. The feeling wasn’t there.
Two years later March Madness is back. The Selection Sunday Show will reveal the brackets as fans scramble to make arrangements to follow their teams. There will be disappointment and excitement. There will be packed arenas and brackets submitted. There will be Charles and Kenny fighting and those Capital One commercials.
Kentucky fans will admonish the committee for giving the Cats the hardest route to reach the Final Four. Calipari will say it doesn’t matter, the Cats must take what is given them.
Roll your window down, smell the fresh air, grab some snacks and select your lucky spot to watch the game. March Madness is here!
The ball is tipped….
3 Responses
Well said Larry.
Oops, my bad. Well said Tina.
no problem Karen