I'm Loving The NCAA March Madness...Let It Continue!!!

I am not usually a big college basketball type person on a nationalbasis during the regular season but I do follow the local mid-majors in my area (University of Buffalo, St. Bonaventure, Canisius and Niagara).

But when the NCAA Tournament rolls around, also known as March Madness, my interest piques as I want to hopefully David slay a Goliath or follow a Cinderella.

Boy have I gotten my wish this season and I am loving every minute of it.

Seeing second-seeded Villanova crash and burn to #10 St. Mary's 75-68 in the South Region just started my day out so right.

Then to watch the gutsy and gritty #9 Northern Iowa team kick overall top-seed Kansas to the curb 69-67 in the Midwest just sent tingles up and down my spine.

And just to put a cherry on top of the Saturday sundae, #11 Washington pounded #3 New Mexico 82-64 in the East Regional.

Does it get any better than this?

I hope so as eight more games are on tap Sunday and look out. Everyone saw what happened on Saturday and BETTER be ready to play.

Looking at a few games today, there are some great opportunities for some Cinderellas to come through.

I love Cornell (28-4), sitting at a #14 seed, to beat #4 Wisconsin (24-8) in an East Regional matchup in Jacksonville.

The Big Red handled an always-tough Temple team of the Atlantic 10 78-68 in the first round while the Badgers had all it could handle against Wofford 53-49.

Cornell is a much, much better team than Wofford and can shot lights out. If Wisconsin takes them lightly for a split second, they'll be headed quickly home to Madison.

Syracuse has a knack of playing close games and today's game against Gonzaga is going to be a test as the Orange will play without Arinze Onuaku.

The Syracuse 2-3 zone could given the Zags fits but somehow the Orange are due for a clunker and the Zags are usually a team that is up for the challenge.

Playing in Buffalo won't hurt the Orange either, it's basically a home game for them. But gonzaga is accustomed to playing on a big stage and I am smelling upset here as well in this West matchup.

The most intriguing matchup today is Pittsburgh vs. Xavier in a pick-em game.

The Big East has been "the conference" all year so Pitt will be battled tested but Xavier may have the talent to tip over the Panthers' apple cart and notch the win.

I see a close battle with Pitt scoring no more than a three-point win.

Upsets, surprises...yes this is March Madness.

A note to the NCAA Selection Committee. Forget about your "power" conferences. Look at your mid-majors more. They are the teams that make your tournament what it is. If it wasn't for the Cornells, St. Mary's and Northern Iowas, this tournament would be as great as it is.

Remember, there's a reason why these "power" conferences don't schedule mid-majors during the regular season...they don't want to lose!!!