MM is the name given to the college basketball playoffs - and the battle to be the National Champion for that season (notice i didn't say the "best team" - just the champ - there is a difference there).
the reason it is so huge and a massive betting event is that for the roughly 2.5 weeks it takes to play the games - EVERYONE is focused on the games. the first 2 days of the tourney - when there is basketball literally all day - it might be the greatest 2 days of the year. vegas hotels are PACKED beyond capacity these days and people who have to work spend most of their time checking scores on the internet.
it is also very popular because literally everyone is in some sort of an office pool - or online pool where you pick how you think EVERY game will go in the tourney up until the nat'l championship game. usually there is money and/or prizes involved - hence a lot of interest from people who don't know anything about college hoops (and those are the ones who usually win the pools).
finally - for those whose alma mater are in the tourney - when their school plays - they literally STOP what they are doing and watch their school play.
unless you are here in the states - it is hard to explain why we go so crazy for this - but we do - and every year it keeps getting bigger and bigger and....
the reason it is so huge and a massive betting event is that for the roughly 2.5 weeks it takes to play the games - EVERYONE is focused on the games. the first 2 days of the tourney - when there is basketball literally all day - it might be the greatest 2 days of the year. vegas hotels are PACKED beyond capacity these days and people who have to work spend most of their time checking scores on the internet.
it is also very popular because literally everyone is in some sort of an office pool - or online pool where you pick how you think EVERY game will go in the tourney up until the nat'l championship game. usually there is money and/or prizes involved - hence a lot of interest from people who don't know anything about college hoops (and those are the ones who usually win the pools).
finally - for those whose alma mater are in the tourney - when their school plays - they literally STOP what they are doing and watch their school play.
unless you are here in the states - it is hard to explain why we go so crazy for this - but we do - and every year it keeps getting bigger and bigger and....
Dan.....Winky made excellent points. Many Americans have a college basketball rooting interest, alumni connection, or other association with the players, coaches, or schools.
Almost everyone gets involved in some type of office pool, even those that don't bet.
Unlike the NHL, NBA, and MLB playoffs, this is a single elimination tournament. When you lose a game your season is over. This one and done bracket format has led to many upsets and surprising results.
This David vs Goliath factor along with the growing popularity of office pools and TV coverage has fueled the growth of this event.
Hope This Helps
Gary
Almost everyone gets involved in some type of office pool, even those that don't bet.
Unlike the NHL, NBA, and MLB playoffs, this is a single elimination tournament. When you lose a game your season is over. This one and done bracket format has led to many upsets and surprising results.
This David vs Goliath factor along with the growing popularity of office pools and TV coverage has fueled the growth of this event.
Hope This Helps
Gary
Thanks guys, that's helped a lot. I've heard it's a much bigger betting event than the Superbowl. In England we just don't get excited about college/university sport - none of it is televised apart from Oxford v Cambridge rugby and rowing so there is no big tournament to follow.
I understand why it is such a big event as I guess most people will have some connection with at least one of the teams involved.
I presume also that there isn't normally a dominant red hot favourite to win is there? With so many teams and the knockout system being used there'll be plenty of upset results.
I understand why it is such a big event as I guess most people will have some connection with at least one of the teams involved.
I presume also that there isn't normally a dominant red hot favourite to win is there? With so many teams and the knockout system being used there'll be plenty of upset results.
