Sports excitement resumes as madness begins

I have learned that there are two signs that spring is here: false hope from Red Sox fans and Dick Vitale foaming at the mouth. Yes, Rolando Arrojo just gave up another home run. And yes, Chuck Knoblauch hit another elderly lady in the Loge section. But while baseball is a few weeks away, it’s time for the NCAA tournament — three weeks of mayhem, upsets and passion.

There hasn’t been a meaningful sporting event since that overly exciting Super Bowl. Unless of course, you consider Bambi vs. Britney in a wet T-shirt contest a sport. That could go either way. Just like Bambi.

There was the Daytona 500, except that isn’t really a … never mind, I don’t want to incur anyone’s wrath again. Nets-Grizzlies and BU-Merrimack don’t really do it for me in February.

This is the time for countless experts to babble about sleepers and sure things. The beauty of a one-game tournament, though, is that no one, especially the experts, has any idea what will happen.

There are only two rules that have held up throughout the tournament. No. 16 seeds don’t win and four No. 1 seeds will not make the Final Four. That being said, one of the two will probably happen this year. Whenever you say it can’t happen, it does.

This tournament has more Georges than a Foreman family reunion. Georgia, Georgia State, Georgia Tech, George Mason, and Georgetown have all found their way in. Theoretically, Georgia State could play George Mason in the second round, with the winner facing Georgetown. Unfortunately, a relatively unknown squad featuring George Jetson, George Clinton, Boy George, George Michael and Curious George did not make it. With a scrappy George Will coming off the bench, they were dangerous. I wonder what Billy Packer would call Curious George.

Usually only Mexican water or Dick Vitale on speed is more dangerous to a top team than Gonzaga. In the past two years, they have made the Elite Eight and Sweet 16. Look for Virginia to knock them off in the first round. No one takes Gonzaga lightly anymore, and Virginia is ready after a bruising ACC schedule, which included wins over Duke and UNC.

Oklahoma State is this year’s sentimental choice and with good reason. After a plane crash took the lives of two players, the team has responded with play deserving of a tournament berth. They hope their play is reminiscent of Loyola Marymount’s run following the death of Hank Gathers. OSU, unfortunately, does not have Bo Kimble, but often emotion rises above talent in March.

For some local flavor, BC and Holy Cross will be playing on Thursday. Holy Cross will be playing heavily favored Kentucky. Toward the top of the bracket, BC has a legitimate chance of making the Final Four. It would have been interesting if the committee made Holy Cross a No. 14 seed, pitting the two teams against each other. Imagine that — meaningful local basketball in March. Maybe when Hofstra and Delaware leave, BU can make the tournament. Wouldn’t that be fun? Maybe Roxbury Community College could join the America East.

Look for Arizona to come out of the Midwest. It’s a weak bracket and the Wildcats are loaded with talent. They haven’t put it together this year, but now would be the perfect time, and when they do they will be very dangerous.

Similarly, UNC should come out of the South. They have had two bad losses to Duke in a row, but Duke can make anyone look bad. The Tar Heels have a top-three player in Joe Forte and inside strength with Brendan Haywood and Julius Peppers. Matt Doherty’s troops are aching for one last game with Duke, which would be an incredible final.

Duke is the best team in the country, but that means nothing now. Has Coach K lost his postseason magic? He’s lost some tournament games lately that Duke teams used to win, and he was badly out-coached by Jim Calhoun two years ago. That said, players win and he has the best. Jason Williams is the best player in the country. Shane Battier can win all the awards, but in crunch time the ball is going to Williams.

UCLA poses a huge roadblock to Duke’s run, however. Center Dan Gadzuric can dominate the smaller Blue Devils inside and Earl Watson might be good enough to slow down Williams at both ends of the floor. The Bruins are very inconsistent and a lot will depend on the play of Jason Kapono, who can be an All-American when he’s on. If Duke gets by UCLA, they should get by BC, sending them to another Final Four.

In the West, Stanford looks to have the clear edge. Iowa State has no one around Jamaal Tinsley, which should be its downfall. Maryland is intriguing with Lonnie Baxter and Terrence Morris, but Stanford has too much height and quickness for them. Surprisingly, the team that can give Stanford the toughest time might be St. Joseph’s. With superior guard play in Marvin O’Connor and Jameer Nelson, Phil Martelli’s crew has a shot. Martelli is a masterful coach and if they can contain the Collins twins of Stanford, they can pull the upset and put Maryland into the Final Four.

So, if Stanford beats St. Joe’s, give me the Cardinal over Carolina in the championship. If St. Joe’s pulls the upset, look for Duke over Carolina in one of the most intense championship games ever.

Sports has returned from the dead. Thursday at noon it all starts, and we should all be there rooting for upsets and Oklahoma State.

Let the games begin.