Off-Topic Forum

So a few years ago I stopped doing NCAA brackets for the Tournament.  I didn't stop cold turkey, I still did one or two, but once the tournament started I stopped caring who I filled in.  I wrote a blog about it and pretty much this time of year hijacked a hashtag on twitter using #W4TG.  It's Watch 4 The Game.  It's a lot more fun to watch games without worrying if you bracket will be busted or not.  Will a 16 seen beat a 1 seed?  Who knows but watching a close finish kind of takes the fun out of it when you are rooting for the 1 seed to win just because you picked them.  I haven't filled out a bracket this year and didn't last year either.  I'll be honest, I believe I first started doing it one year when Mizzou were beyond bad and I had no team to root for in the tournament.  However since I've started this (and full disclosure- Mizzou still hasn't been much better), I find teams I'l like to win but as long as the game is good and exciting, I don't really care who wins.  Would I love to see a team like Murray State win over a team like Duke? Sure, but enjoying the game has made me love this time of year more than ever.

So, has anyone else not filled out a bracket yet?  Anyone willing to use the #W4TG hashtag on twitter with me while watching the game?  It's cool if not, I understand the bragging rights and possible winnings you can get winning with a good bracket, but just remember, have some fun and don't stress out too much once the games start... unless your team is still in it, then I get it.  Do what you gotta do to make your team advance.  Unless its Kansas, then well, I might not feel the same way :)

Well said.  I fill one out online but spend about 60 seconds thinking about it. I love college hoops, and this is a fun time of year.  And I'm so glad to see the OVC get 2 teams in, with one win already in the books.  I can see Belmont and Murray both pulling off a major upset.  And for the record, the champs I picked in the TCDB bracket; I will be rooting against them every game they play. 

I filled out one bracket but I don’t take it seriously. I have Syracuse going all the way. It’s absurd. The rest of the games I roll a dice (one through three means the visitors win, four through six the home team). I love the first two rounds the most. I would be ecstatic if Colgate won on Friday. 

Yes jupiter, well said.  I did fill out a couple of brackets but like switzr, I don't think about them. If I win something in them other than bragging rights, that would be nice.  But it is watching the games, especially when an upset is in the making.  I do often cheer for the underdog (and any team playing against Duke).  But as a friend of mine asked me after the Blue Jays won their first World Series, "So do I feel any different now that it is over?"  No I really didn't.  Life went on; I didn't win anything; they did and it was theirs to celebrate.  For me, it was on to the next thing in life. As it is for all entertainment, sports, movies or concerts.

Not me.  I fill out about 17 of them.  Out of all those only 2 are non-paying.  Everything else goes into 5 Dimes, Bet on line, yahoo, etc.  A private invitaion only bracket I take part in with a selective few costs me $250 to submit.  Everything else ranges from $5 to $25.  Back in 2004 I rode a Georgia Tech team to the finals and a $5,000 dollar second place finish.  I've also won several other cash prices   So it's worth it for me

I haven't done one in a couple of years, including this year. I'm a homer and will pick most Texas teams to win at least one, and many make it to the Elite Eight or Final Four. I also pick two or three 5/12 upsets just so I can say I predicted it when it hits. But in general it was not even legitimately filled out because I don't watch college sports and function on name recognition and a David vs. Goliath mentality.

So go Abilene Christian University!

I'm a "One and Done".  I fill out one and forget about it until the tournament is over.  Then I'll look at it and see how I did, usually it's a good laugh.