March Madness 2012 Schedule: Why Opening Weekend Tops All

There's nothing like the opening weekend of the NCAA tournament. Thursday to Sunday is a four-day span where dreams can be realized, or crushed. 

You know that college football commercial that comes on during bowl season? The one where they use "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" by Andy Williams to make the case that college bowl season is in fact the best part of the year.

Well, that's false.

The opening weekend of the NCAA tournament is hands down the most wonderful time of the year.

During opening weekend, every fan develops cardiac arrhythmia from the mass hysteria that is unavoidable during the first two rounds. 

A heart attack-inducing four days are looming. Heartbreak is imminent for most, but glory is in store for a select few.

Now is the time when we get to see a No. 13 beat a No. 4. We come to realize the inevitability of a No. 5 seed, from a power conference, losing to a No. 12 seed mid-major.

This is when Stephen Curry made himself a household name. This is when VCU beats Georgetown. Then beats Purdue. Then goes to the Final Four.

(It's also the time when we realize Shaka Smart is an awesome name).

In 2012, N.C. State has a good shot at taking down San Diego State in Columbus on Friday. Also, Long Beach State could take down New Mexico in Portland on Thursday.

That's just the first set of games though, the second round is when things get real juicy.

If Connecticut beats Iowa State in Louisville on Thursday, they have a fighter's chance at beating No. 1 seeded Kentucky on Saturday. 

Don't think they have a shot? Go ask the 2011 Butler team if they cared about Pittsburgh being No. 1.

Last year, only one No. 1 seed made it to the Elite Eight. Seeds No. 3, No. 4, No. 8 and No. 11 filled those spots up.

It's amazing that a mid-major with no more than 3,000 students can beat a behemoth of a school with an enrollment of 50,000.

Bold prediction of the weekend: Syracuse has no shot of making it past the Sweet 16.

The Fab Melo-less Orange will struggle to get by Kansas State or Southern Mississippi in the round of 32. The only way they'll be able to do that is if they press. They'll need to press all game, every game for the entire tournament to get anywhere.

After a couple games of pressing, the drained Orange will fall to Vanderbilt or Wisconsin.

Well folks, the time you've all been waiting for is upon us. March Madness has arrived. Make sure you don't miss any of the action and be sure to fill out your brackets.

This year, the first two rounds will be played in Albuquerque, Louisville, Pittsburgh, Portland, Columbus, Greensboro, Nashville and Omaha.

Here's a link to the start times and locations of all the games.

Happy watching.