The Ultimate Book of March Madness: The Players, Games, and Cinderellas that Captivated a Nation

The Ultimate Book of March Madness: The Players, Games, and Cinderellas that Captivated a Nation

Every March, millions of Americans have their minds fixated on one thing: the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. From bracket pools in offices worldwide to students on campuses in all corners of the nation, “March Madness” takes the country by storm. From the “First Four” to the Final Four, collegiate heavyweights such as Duke and North Carolina, Kansas and Kentucky, Indiana and Michigan, Texas and UCLA mix it up with Cinderella underdogs such as VCU, George Mason, and Penn, reminding the world that anything is possible. The magic of the tournament and the purity of the amateur game keep fans coming back year after year. From the birth of the tournament in 1939 to the most recent on-court drama, The Ultimate Book of March Madness explores the stories—both the legendary and the forgotten—behind each year’s tournament, and author Tom Hager selects the 100 greatest games from tournament history. With insight from dozens of players and coaches, this book reveals the tension, strategy, and even the behind-the-scenes humor of the tournament’s history. Featuring a unique blend of storytelling, quotes, vintage photographs, and game descriptions, The Ultimate Book of March Madness provides the average hoops fan with a deeper understanding of the history of the Final Four, while providing true fanatics with memorable and amazing stories they’ve never heard before. Every year, March Madness takes the country by storm from the first tip-off to the final buzzer, the excitement of the college game keeps fans coming back for more. From the birth of the NCAA basketball tournament in 1939 to the most recent on-court drama, The Ultimate Book of March Madness explores the stories both the legendary and the forgotten behind each year s tournament and also highlights the 100 greatest games from tournament history. From the dynasties of UCLA and Kentucky to Cinderella stories like Villanova and VCU, The Ultimate Book of March Madness has something for everyone. Combining insight from dozens of players and coaches with a unique blend of storytelling, quotes, photos, and game descriptions, author Tom Hager provides the average hoops fan with a deeper understanding of the history of the Final Four, while providing true fanatics with memorable and amazing stories they ve never heard before. A sportswriter based in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Tom Hager has written for The Badger Herald and Rushthecourt.net.