As the month of March arrived, the yearly college basketball tradition did as well. 

The NCAA March Madness tournament, one of the most anticipated times of year, finally arrived. 

With the one game elimination style, causes for upsets, and players leaving it all out there on the floor, anticipation was at an all time high with stellar teams and full crowds returning for the first time since the pandemic.  

“I am really excited for this year’s tournament and it doesn’t usually change between the years. My favorite part of the tournament is just watching all of the games take place and watching all of the upsets and crazy things happen,” said Junior Will Bengston.

While the season has cruised along, the best teams have left their mark on fans and centered themselves as “favorites” to win this tournament. 

“I haven’t done all my research yet, and I am very nerdy about all of these statistics, but I do think Baylor has the best chance as of right now. They have lots of experience and they have a lot of talent and defensive pressure,” Bengston said prior to the tournament.

The annual Selection Sunday occurred on March 13, and it showed all fans where each team in the tournament would be seeded in the tournament and their path to the Final Four, and sense of competition in their regions. 

As the selections were out, there were some mix of feelings on who was going to win it all after seeing some team’s road to glory. 

“I like Illinois to win it all currently, after seeing their region and the teams they would have to go through in the tournament. I think Kofi Cockburn, their center, is the best player in this tournament currently,” sophomore Will Jorczack said before the tournament.

As the ball was tipped, upsets were taking place left and right. 

A two-seed Kentucky who was favored by a lot of experts, went down in an disappointing fashion against 15-seed St. Peters. 

St. Peters would continue their Cinderella first weekend with a win over seven-seed Murray State, advancing them to a Sweet Sixteen berth.

As this Cinderella story began, most of the country has began to fall in love with the Peacocks. 

Another number two seed, Auburn led by Jabari Smith, fell in the round of 32 to University of Miami, in a blowout 79-61, as Auburn fell apart in the second half being outscored 46-29.

Another eyeopener was the reigning champion Baylor Bears, falling to the North Carolina Tar Heels. 

The Heels opened up a second half lead of 25, but Baylor’s championship experience gave them an edge, forcing the game to go to an overtime period. 

In overtime, RJ Davis of North Carolina was too much, moving the Tar Heels to the second weekend. 

As the Sweet 16 began, the madness began as 1 seeds, Gonzaga and Arizona went down in disappointing performances leaving the landscape wide open for lower seeds. 

The lower seeds took advantage as Saint Peters defeated Purdue to make history, being the only 15 seed in history to make the Elite 8. 

Blue Bloods North Carolina, Duke, and Kansas continued their dominance on their way to the Elite 8. 

The magical story of Saint Peters came to a close in the Elite 8, as North Carolina defeated them 69-49, leading them into a Final Four with Duke, Villanova, and Kansas. 

This final four was one for the ages, as historic programs, North Carolina and Duke would face off with each other for the first time in the NCAA tournament. 

The Blue Devils were looking for revenge from their date on March 5, as UNC spoiled Coach Mike Krzyzewski’s last home game, as he was set to retire after this season. 

The game went back and forth, as runs were made by both teams. 

In the end, the 

shot making ability of UNC 

guard Caleb Love, and Duke’s inability to make free throws, decided the game as Coach K’s career was ended on a loss, 81-77. 

In the other Final Four game, Villanova did not have enough to hang with Kansas, as Ochai Agbaji led the way to a 81-65 victory. 

Disadvantages for Villanova were visible, as their starting guard, Justin Moore ruptured his achilles in their previous game. 

As the whole season came down to one game, North Carolina and Kansas gave it their all, in a game full of swings.

 By halftime, North Carolina was up 15, but as the second half began, the Jayhawks made their stride. 

Coming down to the final minute, big buckets made by Kansas center David Mccormack put them over the edge winning 72 -69, giving Kansas their shining moment, awarding the Jayhawks their fourth national title in basketball..