Tag: March Madness

Bracket Busting Facts About the Final Four

Posted on by Dan Eckersley

Are you among the 58% of Americans watching college basketball? If so, you know that March Madness is the pinnacle of every college basketball season. But you might not know much about the history of this storied event.

Read on to learn some bracket-busting facts about the Final Four!

A Sports Broadcaster Coined March Madness 

That’s right — the phrase March Madness hasn’t been around forever. Longtime sports broadcaster Brent Musberger mentioned the phrase during a game in 1982, and the name caught on.

The only hitch? A high school state championship program had also laid claim to the phrase — starting in 1939. Fortunately, the NCAA and the high school sports program were granted permission to use March Madness!

Five Is an Unlucky Number

Earning a #5 seed in the tournament sounds like a solid ranking for a basketball program. Good luck winning the tournament, though!

That’s because there has never been a #5 seed to walk away with the trophy. And only three teams have ever advanced to the championship game with that seed.

Kansas City Has Hosted the Most Games

You might be surprised that this Midwestern city ranks at the top. But that’s largely because Kansas City’s Municipal Auditorium, which dates back to 1935, scored nine hosting gigs between 1940 and 1964. Today, the Superdome in New Orleans tackles most of the Final Four hosting duties. 

The Courts Originate in Michigan

It makes sense to assume that the college basketball teams simply play on the given courts at a venue. But once again, there’s a surprising twist. The gleaming hardwood courts you see Final Four teams battle it out on are installed especially for the game.

Connor Sports sustainably sources the maple at its mill in Amasa, Michigan. Once the floors are processed and finished, they’re shipped to the courts for installation.

You’re Unlikely to Pick the Winning Teams

Have you been following college basketball all season? Even so, you’re probably not going to score a victory with your brackets. You’re better off entering the lottery if you hope to increase your winning odds. 

That said, a man chose the correct outcomes of the first 49 games in 2019. But that’s as far as he got!

1979’s Title Game Drew the Biggest Audience

If you’ve ordered a pizza with friends while watching a Final Four game in recent years, you may think you’re part of history. But the most-watched championship game on television wasn’t a recent one.

That’s understandable when you learn that the marquee players squaring off in 1979 were Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. The Michigan State Spartans, led by Johnson, came out on top. 

Get Ready for the Final Four

When you tune in for the Final Four, you’ll be able to impress your friends with little-known facts about the tournament. You can talk about the special hardwood courts, the history of the term March Madness, and more. Plus, you’ll know better than to let a #5 seed ascend to the championship game when filling out your bracket.

Ready to enjoy some fantastic grub while you indulge in March basketball? Check us out for the best pub in town!

March Madness Predictions

Posted on by Dan Eckersley

March Madness is almost upon us this year, and with it comes the always-popular brackets that will likely pop up in our social circles and workplace discussions. These brackets are good fun (and not a bad way to bring home some extra cash), so they’re well worth joining.

However, if you haven’t been keeping up with college basketball, you might not feel secure in making some strong guesses this year. If you’re trying to secure your March Madness predictions, it’s best to get up to date with who the current favorites are. 

What do you need to know? What’s the latest in college sports? Read on, and we’ll walk you through the basics.

Whom Not To Include In Your Bracket

Choosing an eventual March Madness winner is always challenging, even for those well-versed in basketball. That’s part of the fun of the tournament – you never know what might happen.

What’s a little easier to predict possibly is who might be out of the competition early on. There are certain teams where it’s obvious this is a building year, and they’re not well positioned for serious competition. 

This year, there are four that many sports analysts agree you likely won’t see progressing too far. That would be Utah State, LSU, Wake Forest, and Southern California. 

These teams have performed poorly over the past season, with LSU slipping out of the rankings most recently.

Again, you never can predict who might be able to pull off a comeback… but smart money says you won’t put your weight behind these teams this year. 

Predicted Winners and Powerhouses

Let’s look at four teams that many analysts feel strongly about. Recently, NCAA’s Andy Katz put his push behind Kansas, Houston, Purdue, and Alabama as his four favorites this spring. 

Houston and Purdue ranked number one in the AP Poll this season, though Purdue’s recent loss to Rutgers pushed the Cougars to the top spot. 

These teams all collectively have only lost once or twice this season.

They are clearly primed, ready, and gunning to go for gold this March. They are the teams you’ll want to tune in and watch closely after completing your bracket.

They could go all the way – keep an eye on our events page for fun opportunities to come cheer on your favorites. 

March Madness Predictions for 2023

If you’re looking to make a strong bracket for this year’s March Madness, you’ll want to be well-versed in the current standings of the college basketball leagues. The above information can help fill you in on what teams have performed well this season – and which haven’t. 

Remember, these are just predictions! No one knows for sure what will happen once the action begins. 

Need a perfect place to gather with friends and watch the game? Grab a seat at one of our tables – find a pub location near you.