When you hear of March, what is the first thing you think of? Maybe it’s a leprechaun or a four-leaf clover. However, for many sports fans, it’s all about perfection. The highly anticipated NCAA March Madness tournament is back, and there is an unimaginable number of college basketball fans around the country that are looking to own the first-ever perfect bracket. 

Although the concept of a perfect bracket has been an achievement that these fans have perpetually strived for, it hasn’t happened yet, and I don’t think it ever will. The Cinderella stories and countless endings to each of the 63 games make it almost statistically impossible to have a completely accurate prediction. For example, it wasn’t expected last year when  St. Peters made the Elite Eight as a 15 seed and the Eighth-seeded North Carolina won the national championship. In 2016, no one could have guessed that UMBC would upset the 1-seeded Virginia in a blowout.

Huge upsets are always a main staple for what March stands for. This year it may be Drake that takes down Miami, or Colegate who goes the distance. I think college basketball fans can collectively agree that we e are welcome to an unexpected win or loss unless, of course, it ruins a  bracket. 

You see, no matter how intensely you research these teams and their histories, or how meticulously you plan your brackets, taking into account all possible scenarios, your bracket will simply never be perfect. Although you may believe that with your level of understanding you will be able to achieve this feat, the reality is that the endless different combinations you could have and all the different ways teams win will forever make this goal impossible. 

However, what we label as impossible can be achieved, and if it is, that’s just another display of March’s Madness.