Here’s Why I Didn’t Do a Bracket This Year – Anne Erickson

I love sports. I mean, okay, not all sports, but there are certain sports and tournaments on which I thrive. For example, I love the NCAA Tournament.

I graduated from Michigan State University. Tom Izzo was head coach of the MSU men's basketball team at the time, so I grew up a Spartan basketball fan. Izzo has actually been with the team for more than 25 years. That's wild. Anyway, my MSU ties are definitely a reason I've always loved March and the NCAA Tournament.

For years, doing a bracket with my dad was an annual tradition. I'd actually do one bracket with my own picks and then one with my dad and I collaborating, so I did at least two brackets per year. I got such a thrill from looking up the results of each game and seeing how my bracket was doing. And, I was actually pretty good at it. I won in my local bracket tournaments a few times at work and among friends. But, as is often the case with filling out brackets, I found myself rooting against my favorite teams for the sake of my bracket.

I'm usually someone who likes to root for the underdog. So, when something like last Friday's (March 17) Purdue game happens, I'm naturally thrilled by the result. In that game, 16-seed Fairleigh Dickinson shocked No. 1 Purdue with a 63-58 win, and the sound of brackets being busted could be heard across America.

If I had done a bracket, I surely would have picked Purdue for my Final Four. But, I didn't do a bracket. So, I could be excited and even giggle at the idea of a 16-seed picking off a No. 1. Of course, MSU beating Marquette on Sunday (March 19) was also a big upset, which I loved. I'm honestly finding myself enjoying the tournament more this year without a bracket. Sure, I won't have bragging rights when it's all over, but it will be worth it to root for my favorites without all the baggage. Give me your thoughts here.