Every year it starts the same, everyone acting like they’ve got the perfect bracket, talking trash, saying “this is the year I finally win.” And every time, it falls apart immediately.

But this year? It feels even wilder.

The big teams are there like the: Duke Blue Devils, Florida Gators, Michigan Wolverines, and Arizona Wildcats. Everyone keeps saying one of them is going to win it all. But none of them feel unbeatable. Like, you know at least one is getting bounced early.

And that’s where it gets fun.

You’ve got teams like Penn Quakers who aren’t supposed to do anything… but suddenly they look dangerous. T.J. Power is out there playing like he’s got nothing to lose, just pulling up and hitting big shots like it’s nothing.

Then there’s Santa Clara Broncos, most people barely know them, but they can shoot like crazy.

And The Arkansas Razorbacks? They just push up the court, nonstop. Darius Acuff Jr. is pushing the pace. Every possession seems to be a fast break. It’s stressful to watch if you picked against them.

Plus, you’ve got guys like AJ Dybantsa who can just take over a game whenever they want. One minute it’s close, next minute he’s dropped 10 straight and it’s over.

But the best part of March Madness isn’t even the stars, it’s the random moments, just like the 16 seed UMBC (University of Maryland, Baltimore County) Retrievers vs 1 seeded Virginia Cavaliers upset with a score of 74-54 

Some no-name player hits a deep three, just like Villanova’s Kris Jenkins, or underdog team just refuses to lose. Suddenly they’re in the Sweet 16, just like the Fairleigh Dickson Knights out in New Jersey. 

And that’s the whole point. You can try to play it safe, pick all the favorites, but that never works. The people who actually win their pools are the ones who pick a couple crazy upsets and just ride with it.

This year especially just feels wide open. Like anyone could go on a run.

And honestly? That’s why it’s so good.