Singer Andy Williams proclaimed that Christmas is "The Most

Wonderful Time of the Year" in his 1963 track, but I beg to differ.  From selection Sunday through the championship, I honestly can't get enough men's college basketball toward the end of March and first week of April. 

Commonly known as March Madness, the tournament usually proves this phrase true, as upsets have been par for the course in recent years.  Heck, the George Mason Patriots went to the Final Four last year!  On their journey they defeated two Final-Four teams from the previous year.  Only 27 people out of two million that participated in Yahoo's bracket challenge correctly picked them to make it that far.

If I were to guess, most American sports fans would pick the NFL as their favorite sport, not pastime (MLB).  To me, postseason excitement can separate a mediocre sport from an outstanding one.  The NFL playoffs were exciting this year up until the time for the Super Bowl.  I would have much rather watched some friends play Guitar Hero II on PS2 than the fourth quarter. Oh wait, I did.

On the other hand, March Madness is filled with "mid-major" programs playing with nothing to lose.  Plus, who could forget all the great names that have made the tournament over the years?  My personal favorite was IUPUI (Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis). I congratulate anyone who knew that acronym's meaning.

I couldn't even begin to tell you who I predict to win the national championship. It's not even clear who the number one seeds are yet.  One thing is certain in my mind: Akron should win the Mid-American Conference championship.  I have had positive vibes about the Zips' season all year long.  The former high school teammates of LeBron James, Zip stars Romeo Travis and Dru Joyce, are poised for a run at the MAC championship, which earns an automatic bid to the Big Dance.

Most people know the March Madness field is comprised of 65 teams.  Can you imagine a field of 128?  That means doubling the number of first-round sites and likely adding an additional week in length to the tournament.  Arguing in favor of the expansion would be teams that feel snubbed by the selection committee.  Like most things in life, pushing it to the limit would certainly be a by-product of the tournament size.  If it were to expand, I'm certain three or four teams with a top-100 RPI would feel disrespected and disagree with the committee's decisions. It is easy to see why their job is viewed as so difficult.

For as long as my college basketball knowledge dates back, I have known that a team must go 6-0 to win the national championship.  Like other money-driven sporting events in the U.S., one day the tournament will be expanded, forcing teams to go 7-0 or beyond.

I hope avid sports fans can appreciate what a great postseason experience college basketball brings to our lives. It is the most wonderful time of the year.