They Call it March Madness For a Reason
By Paul Helgren, Associate Athletic Director for Communications
March 10, 2020
They call it March Madness for a reason. Almost anything can happen, And often does.
That’s important for Rocket fans to remember as we head into the MAC Tournament. Because while their records may not put them at the top of the Mid-American Conference, both the Toledo men’s and women’s basketball teams should not be counted out at the annual basketball fest at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland (March 11-14).
For proof, just take a look at the history of tournament. Just three years ago, the Toledo women entered the tournament as a No. 6 seed and won it all. In years past, the men’s tournament has seen a No. 6 seed (Kent State-2016) and even a No. 9 seed (Ohio-2010) take home all the marbles. And even though Toledo came up one game short of glory in 2006, longtime fans will remember when current assistant coach Justin Ingram led a No. 7 seed Rocket team all the way to the finals before falling to Kent State (Note that the Rocket men are the No. 7 seed this year).
As for the tournament itself, allow me to put in a plug. If you love college basketball and have never attended the MAC Tournament in downtown Cleveland, you owe it to yourself to go. There is so much to love about it. It really has the best of all basketball worlds. First and foremost, it’s great college basketball. Some of the best games I have ever seen have taken place at the MAC Tournament. At the 2000 tourney, the first-ever in Cleveland, all four of the first-round men’s games were decided by two points or fewer, and the semi-final and championship games came down to the final possession. Since then, close, action-packed games like these have been the rule.
In addition, the MAC Tournament venue is as good as any in the country, with a beautiful professional arena within walking distance of numerous hotels, restaurants, bars, a mall and a casino. (For a break from hoops action, the world famous Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is just down the street from the arena).
Another great part of the tournament is that it’s fair. Unlike many other mid-major tournaments, the MAC plays theirs at a neutral court, providing a relatively level playing field for the participants. And unlike some “major” conferences, everything is on the line. With only a few exceptions, only the last team standing receives an invitation to the NCAA Tournament, and the intensity and emotion of the games shows it.
Of course, the tournament is better when the Rockets are playing, and infinitely better if they are playing for the championship. I have been fortunate to celebrate a title twice with our women’s team. Like many others, I am looking forward to the day when I can do the same with our men. Could this be the year? You never know. That’s the beauty of March Madness. But I’ll say this. If the Rockets do win it, you will not want to miss it.
Go Rockets!
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