The 15 Emotional Stages Of March Madness | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Sports

The 15 Emotional Stages Of March Madness

It has taken 11 months to recover from last year. This year you are stronger than before — or so you think.

30
The 15 Emotional Stages Of March Madness

You've survived the last breath of winter and spring is finally here — aka March Madness has finally arrived. Maybe your fan level is sub par? Maybe you have been waiting for this day since the first of the season? Regardless of your basketball knowledge, we all travel this grim and insane road together.

Stage 1: Fascination

There's research to be read and predictions to be matched. Your bracket app opens and hits you like the first flowers of spring. This is living.

Stage 2: Giddy Anticipation

You feel like a kid waiting to see the Thanksgiving day feast. Tensions and trash talk run high amongst your bracket group and you're already planning what you will do with Warren Buffett's million dollars. Will there be upsets? Is your Cinderella team going to take it all? Will this finally be your year?

Stage 3: Initial Excitement

In the first stage of "the highs and lows," you are overcome with pure joy. Three games in your bracket is solid, you flawlessly called every 5 v 12 and 4 v 13, and you're feeling a bit like a psychic after predicting the first buzzer-beater upset. Every time ESPN sends out a perfect bracket percentage, you scoff at the idea of falling from grace. Alas, your future as a millionaire is becoming more apparent.

Stage 4: The Crash

Saying the first cut is the deepest would be the biggest understatement here. Your perfect bracket was just shot to hell with that one Ivy League team that has been irrelevant up until now. You search for a way to cope — maybe some tears or brutal trash talk. You reassure your group that your "almost perfect bracket" still has great potential.

Stage 5: New Hope

Finally, the Round of 32 is your time to shine. No one even remembers what happened in 64. Sure, your bracket is off by two or three but nobody's perfect and you're still in the top three of your group. It's a new day.

Stage 6: Total Defeat

Bam. Just like that, your bracket is shattered and busted really doesn't even begin to cover it. There are so many games going on at once that you don't even know which ones ruined you. The madness has truly set in — threes are losing to elevens and can no one make free throws anymore?!

Stage 7: Grief

Your bracket is dead. It's only been three days, but it feels like a lifetime. Your last breath of hope rests in the hands of your team (if you're lucky enough to still have them in). The burial service for your bracket is set and you find it hard to get out of bed in the morning. Will you have another chance?

Stage 8: OMG is this happening

This stage is somewhere between the stroke you just had during the last 10 seconds of the game and the celebratory hugs from everyone around you. You've spent the last half wondering if your team is really worth the years you just shed from your life, but it has all paid off. Finally, your home team decided to listen to your yelling at the TV and get their ish together. Who needs a perfect bracket when you have a dream?

Stage 9: "We Can Totally Make This Game"

Ah yes, the let's-all-crowd-around-the-computer-screen-and-frantically-find-tickets phase. Who needs to buy groceries in April anyways right? "If we get in the car right now we will only miss five classes and be there in 48 hours." It's a university approved excuse, right?

Stage 10: Overly Confident

You may not be at the game, but wow are you ready. This is your year. "This is our year." Sure, you may be the underdogs and actually most people in the arena appear to be wearing the other team's colors, but hey, you've got spirit.

Stage 11: Frustration

It's halftime and your team is down by 12. You've either muted the TV or taken a solid walk around the block to cope with the anger. After all you've been through, this is how they're going to treat you?

Stage 12: Denial

One giant L. Your team is out and all that's left is you and your sad little bracket. March Madness feels more like your middle school break up than a tournament.

Stage 13: Hopelessness

Do you delete your app? Claim temporary insanity? Throw out the "Psh I could've won if only this team and this team had won their games?" Or do you soldier through hoping that maybe your final four still has a chance to be correct?

Stage 14: Limited Attention

The Final Four is just another set of games. You hardly remember the past at this point and the days are running together. Was it really just a few weeks ago that you had the heart of a champion?

Stage 15: Total Defeat

That's it, you're done. The championship just took whatever dignity you had left and smothered it with confetti and poor interview questions. You didn't just lose one game — you lost the entire tournament. Your predictions were picked apart piece by piece, and your score estimate? El. Oh. El.


There's always next year.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

A Few Thoughts Every College Freshman Has

The transition into adulthood is never easy

13495
Mays Island
Courtney Jones

Today I started my third week of college at Minnesota State Moorhead. I have survived welcome week, finding my classes on the first day, and being an awkward loner in the dining hall. Even though I have yet to be here for a month, I have already experienced many thoughts and problems that only a new college student can relate to.

Keep Reading...Show less
college

"Make sure to get involved when you're in college!"

We've all heard some variation of this phrase, whether it came from parents, other family members, friends, RAs, or college-related articles. And, like many clichés, it's true for the most part. Getting involved during your college years can help you make friends, build your resume, and feel connected to your campus. However, these commitments can get stressful if you're dealing with personal issues, need to work, or aren't sure how to balance classes and everything else going on during the semester.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

9 Reasons Why Friends Are Essential In College

College without friends is like peanut butter without jelly.

5908
Bridgaline Liberati and friends
Bridgaline Liberati

In college, one of the essential things to have is friends. Yes, textbooks, a laptop, and other school supplies are important but friends are essential. Friends are that support system everybody needs. The more friends you have the better the support system you have. But you also have someone to share experiences with. And don’t settle for just one or two friends because 8 out of 10 times they are busy and you are studying all alone. Or they have other friend groups that do not include you. Don’t settle for just one or two friends; make as many friends as you can. After the first couple of weeks of college, most friend groups are set and you may be without friends.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

The Power of Dressing Up

Why it pays to leave the hoodie at home.

4390
sneakers and heels
Sister | Brother Style - Word Press

For a moment your world is spinning. The phone alarm has just scared you awake and you’re flooded by daunting thoughts of the day ahead. You have three assignments due and little time to work on them because of your job. You’re running late because you’ve hit snooze one to many times after yesterday’s long hours. You dizzily reach for a hoodie, craving its comfort, and rush for a speedy exit, praying you will have time to pick up coffee. Does this sound familiar?

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

11 Signs You Live At The Library As Told by 'Parks And Recreation'

A few signs that you may live in the library whether you'd like to admit it or not.

3868
brown wooden book shelves with books

Finals week is upon us. It is a magical time of year during which college students everywhere flock to the library in attempt to learn a semester's worth of knowledge in only a week. For some students, it's their first time in the library all semester, maybe ever. Others have slaved away many nights under the fluorescent lights, and are slightly annoyed to find their study space being invaded by amateurs. While these newbies wander aimlessly around the first floor, hopelessly trying to find a table, the OGs of the library are already on the third floor long tables deep into their studies. Here is a few signs that you may live in the library, whether you'd like to admit it or not.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments