The Ides of March - Madness

The term "Ides of March" refers to a day on the Roman calendar, March 15th, which corresponds with the assassination of Julius Caesar in 44 BC.  You know, I've always liked that pre-combat gladiator salute, ("Hail, Emperor (Caesar), those who are about to die salute you").

We modern day sports fans know all too well the relationship between gladiator combat and the month of March.  The NCAA basketball tournaments' Selection Sunday falls on March 15th of this year, AD.  That's when the 68 basketball teams are selected to battle it out for a chance to be crowned champion of the college hard court. 

Not only will there be Spartans and Trojans vying for an invite, but every fighting bird, mammal, reptile, amphibian and a few pesky insects (hornets) representing colleges, will be hoping for a chance to ball and battle their way into the tournament. Last I checked there were 346 Div. I teams and only 68 spots (seeds) making up the brackets.  Once in the tournament, lose and your dead, gone, finished. Win and you move on to your next challenger.

If you ask me its the biggest and most exciting post- Super Bowl sporting event to hit the new year calendar. There's enough buzzer beating moments and adrenalin-charged action to drive you .................MAD!

Get ready sporting fans; the Madness of March is about to salute you!