Holding a tournament with 64 teams, March Madness can stir emotions in viewers due to the stakes of the tournament, which lasts from March 18-April 7.
March Madness is the Men’s Basketball National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) playoff tournament.
Whether a team is the best team or the worst team, every team has a chance to win the tournament because of the stakes and pressure.
According to junior Elliott Hendricks while watching the tournament, he oftentimes feels a sense of “pride” and while watching he is “rooting for a team.”
“Watching a team seeing them lose and then seeing them win it’s fun, too,” Hendricks said.
The emotions felt by the viewer can be difficult with the stakes of the tournament.
“I would say feeling very happy,” Hendricks said, “but then at the end losing it really shifted and just being there for the highs and the lows it can be rough,” Hendricks said.
The difference between professional and collegiate sports can change the way a player reacts. The atmosphere can change the athlete’s emotions as well.
“I would say college has a better atmosphere than the pros,” Hendricks said, “playing in a playoff atmosphere in a sport should be higher emotions.”
According to junior Jake Radcliff the amount of teams and possible outcomes are what make the tournament so special.
“I think it’s because of how many teams are in the actual tournament. There are so many possibilities and opportunities for crazy upsets that no one sees happening or complete domination or just one player who no one knew before March, managed to take over,” Radcliff said.
Senior Owen Kemp believes the rarity of the players playing in the tournament makes the emotions run high.