When Houston’s Emmanual Sharp jumped from the three point line, down two points to Florida with five seconds left in the 2025 men’s college basketball title game, he did not expect to see Florida’s Walter Clayton Jr. fly out in front of him, forcing Sharp to let go of the ball or commit an up and down turnover. From that point, the Gators were able to watch the clock expire to earn them their third national championship of the century. The game was not pretty, but this is what helps emphasize the madness of March basketball.
That same unpredictability has taken over RM as students prepare for another year of brackets, upsets and long shot dreams. The tournament has become a yearly tradition in the building and even students who do not follow college basketball closely find themselves filling out brackets and arguing about picks in the hallways.
Sophomore William Douville is keeping his approach simple this year. “I think UConn will win,” Douville said. “I am picking teams based on random guesses. I do not have any sleeper teams. I am cheering for UConn.”
Junior Ryan Mandel takes a different approach, mixing statistics with instinct. “I think Michigan State is going to win,” Mandel said. “The way I pick is I look at some stats but mostly pick based off my gut. I think St. John’s is a sleeper pick to go far this year. I always root for the underdog unless they are playing someone I have going far in my bracket.”
Senior Liam Recklaus shared his thoughts and said he is “cheering for UMBC” and “picking teams off the vibes.” Recklaus said the best way to follow the tournament is to “watch during class,” a strategy that many students quietly agree with.
The patterns across RM are clear as students fall into two groups. Some rely on analysis and statistics while others trust instinct and superstition. Both groups end up in the same place once the games begin. They gather around Chromebooks during lunch, refresh scores between classes and celebrate or complain when their brackets collapse.
Bracket culture at RM has grown each year. Many students submit their picks through ESPN’s Tournament Challenge, while others use CBS Sports or Yahoo. Some groups keep it informal and share screenshots in group chats. Others create private competitions with bets or simple bragging rights. The tournament becomes a social event that stretches across grade levels.
Teachers feel the energy too. AP Chemistry teacher Mike Ashemead admitted that if his students “are doing group work, then I’ll put the game on.” Others put on games for classes to watch. The tournament blends into the school day and becomes part of the atmosphere.
The unpredictability of March Madness is what draws students in. Douville’s confidence in UConn and Mandel’s belief in Michigan State show how different the predictions can be. Recklaus adds a third perspective by choosing based on “vibes,” which reflects how many students approach the bracket. The tournament rewards bold picks and punishes overthinking, which is why RM students embrace the chaos.
The shared experience is what makes the tournament special. Even students who do not watch college basketball regularly find themselves invested. They compare brackets, debate upsets and follow teams they had never heard of two weeks earlier. The tournament becomes a way to connect with friends and classmates.
As the first round approaches, RM is ready for another year of surprises. Whether students are backing favorites or cheering for underdogs, the madness of March brings the community together for two weeks of excitement and unpredictability.
