Going Deep In The NCAA Tourney Is Fun

Mar 27, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Arizona Wildcats head coach Sean Miller (left) shakes hands with San Diego State Aztecs head coach Steve Fisher (right) after the semifinals of the west regional of the 2014 NCAA Mens Basketball Championship tournament at Honda Center. The Wildcats defeated the Aztecs 70-64. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

So many of you but not all know that currently I live in Tucson, AZ while my wife attends medical school.  And right now seeing how everyone is so excited about Arizona and the Elite Eight is extremely cool.  Like watching how the local news stations send like three guys each to Anaheim to cover it.  Or how it seems like that is the only topic of conversation.

All this got me thinking back to how much fun 1997 and 1998 were and how awesome that would be to be apart of again.

The Sweet 16 is cool because it means you live on to the second weekend, plus the name.  But the Elite Eight is just so rarified and it means you are now shouting distance from the Final Four.  After 40 minutes of hoops if you’re one point better than the other guy, all your dreams as a college hoops fan have come true.  Even know as bitter as the loss in the national title game was to those dirty bastards Kentucky, that Final Four is such a remarkable memory.

God, wouldn’t it be nice to have it happen again.

I know I should probably dream small, like say an NCAA tourney birth, or even smaller like winning road games or not having painful bed crappings again St. Mary’s.  But one day I’d like to share an Elite Eight and Final Four with my son.

Of course, I’m in Tucson, so… BEAR DOWN?