true bracket challenge

I’d like to think I’m a reasonable, teachable person. I’d like to think when the truth presents itself, I could immediately accept it as true. I’d like to think that I never craft truth from a limited perspective, holding on so fiercely, that I fail to sift objectively through other valid perspective. Case in point — and please, please, I need great grace here, friends; it’s a sticky subject this time of year…

I speak, no less, about one small, public, co-ed university on the southeast side of Wilmington, North Carolina, only five miles from the Atlantic Ocean… the University of North Carolina at Wilmington (UNC-W)… and… of course, this year’s NCAA “March Madness” bracket.

Each year millions complete an empty bracket in the days leading up to the tournament. The beauty of a clean bracket/slate/etc. is that it allows us to aver whatever we wish. And so all sorts of persons select all sorts of teams to win all sorts of rounds in college basketball’s most popular, annual competition.

This year, NBA star Steph Curry predicts Duke will win it all. Charles Barkley picks Arizona. And both former Pres. Obama and country singer Tim McGraw think North Carolina will be victorious.

Each of the above may be right. But they won’t all be.

Due to my noted competitive nature, I, too, completed my bracket with a great sense of not-yet-fleeting hope. I ended up choosing the Wildcats of Villanova to repeat, with the awareness that winning two years in a row is an increasingly rare occurrence. As noted by yesterday’s results, I was totally wrong. But also noted in round one, came my awareness of manipulating the truth; let’s return to the UNC-W…

I’m a knowledgeable fan… semi-humble, perhaps, but knowledgeable nonetheless. And so I read and research and do my necessary homework.

In round one of the 64 seeded teams, 12th seeded UNC-W was set to face 5th seeded Virginia. Hence, simply based on the selection committee’s seeding, Virginia’s very capable Cavaliers/Wahoos/Hoos (all acceptable nicknames) were expected to win. They were perceived as the better team.

But picking upsets is part of the fun of the “madness.” I read other, reputable perspectives. From The Washington Post’s John Feinstein: “[Virginia] Coach Tony Bennett and his players know that the [UNC-W] Seahawks, champions of the Colonial Athletic Association, are one of those double-digits seeds that people see as a potential upset pick.”

From the Sporting News’ Mike DeCourcy: “No. 12 UNC Wilmington over No. 5 Virginia. In addition to the very cool nickname of ‘Seahawks’ – how many Wildcats do we need, people? – Wilmington has a terrific offense with four double-figure scorers led by guard C.J. Bryce and 3-point rifleman Denzel Ingram, who is top-20 in the nation in 3-pointers made. They’ve never seen anything like the Virginia defense, but they’re good enough to make this happen.”

So when I picked UNC-W over Virginia — even though varied opinion existed — I was not alone. I thus found comfort and confidence-building in those who shared my perspective.

After tip off, as I expected (and as I predicted), UNC-W took off, dominating the Cavaliers/Wahoos/Hoos. They were actually ahead by 15 points after only 12 and a half minutes of play. I was thinking pretty highly of myself. I was thinking I was right. But as the game went on, the Cavaliers/Wahoos/Hoos not only came back from the substantial deficit, but proceeded to lead most of the second half. It was close at some points, but Virginia was far more in command than UNC-W.

In those closer moments, even though I have zero relationship with either team — no exceptional like or dislike — I found myself actively cheering for the Seahawks of UNC-W (… grace, please, Wahoo fans). Yes, it’s fun to root for the underdog. But the other factor very much in play here (if I’m willing to admit it) is that I wanted to be right. And if UNC-W actually upset the talented team from Virginia, then I would be right and wouldn’t have to wrestle with the idea that part of my thinking was wrong. I wouldn’t have to wrestle with the validity of any other perspective.

Isn’t that part of our madness? Sometimes being right becomes more important than what may be true.

Respectfully…
AR