PSA: Busted Bracket Syndrome becoming an epidemic
Attention everyone, this is a Public Service Announcement: 1 in 5 people picked Virginia to win the National Championship. That means that 1 in 5 people are currently suffering from a busted bracket. If you or a loved one had Virginia going the distance, please find help. Talk to someone, let the tears flow and maybe have a drink or two, whatever helps you through this trying time. Just know that you’re not alone.
Busted Bracket season is upon us, and this year it is hitting harder than ever. After the University of Maryland Baltimore County defeated Virginia 74-54 on Friday night, becoming the first ever 16-seed to upset 1-seed in the NCAA tournament, brackets across the nation were busted into smithereens.
According to ESPN, 18.5 percent of entries in the ESPN Tournament Challenge picked Virginia to win it all, including my own. I'm used to my bracket falling apart, but it has never happened quite as quickly as it did this season. Less than 36 hours after the first round tipped off, I had ripped up my bracket thanks to some college in Baltimore that I had never heard of before Friday.
Usually, I follow my heart when I pick my bracket and always pick my team to go the distance, but Indiana fans haven’t had that choice the past few years. So this year I went with Virginia, which seemed like a safe pick. The Cavaliers were one of the best defensive teams in the nation, racked up a 31-2 record and were led by 2016 Indiana Mr. Basketball Kyle Guy, so I thought they would be a fun team to root for as they made their way through the tournament.
Little did I know, a team whose mascot is the Retrievers would throw that plan in the garbage. Now, I sit here pondering the meaning of life as I wonder what to do with the rest of my March now that everything I had going for me was ripped away. Now, I’m rooting for chaos to take the keys and for the upsets to reign. I’m rooting for a Final Four of UMBC, Marshall, Rhode Island and Florida State. I’m rooting for the mid-majors to take over and hoping the Cinderella’s never turn into pumpkins.
At the end of the day, this is just a reminder that 1 in 5 people are suffering from a busted bracket. Check on all of your friends and family who picked Virginia to win it all. Give them a hug and tell them that you love them and you’ll always be there for them. They need it, trust me.