March Madness

Free AI web copilot to create summaries, insights and extended knowledge, download it at here

1543

Abstract

ng.</p><p id="cf17">Historically, the Western European regional included some of the best match-ups. But most members of the once-powerful NATO Alliance have let their offensive game slip in the face of U.S. domination. Not surprisingly, the United Kingdom advanced while former rivals France and Germany bowed out early.</p><p id="45cf">The Eastern European regional traditionally was a lock for perennial Iron Curtain Conference champion Russia. It looked like that would continue until their unprovoked demolishment of Ukraine. Given the reorganization of that conference and the severe UN sanctions recently imposed, Russia no longer remained a serious threat to making the Final Four and has since threatened to blow up the entire tournament.</p><p id="3e6f">Some fans looked to the Subcontinent regional for what could have been the most explosive match-up of the year. Historical rivals India and Pakistan were seeded one-two and were set to face off in the South Asian final. Both possessed the long bomb and were not averse to perimeter shooting but the long-anticipated match-up did not materialize.</p><p id="3f3e">In the end, all eyes were on the U.S. which, not surprisingly, breezed through the Mideast region in their quest for world domination on the “Road to Armageddon.” But victory, of course, is never guaranteed and every year there are one or two upsets. Longtime fans will remember that the U.S. itself once fell to little-known Far East competitor Vietnam and eventually met the same fate against unpredictable Afghanist

Options

an.</p><p id="8453">However the tournament unfolds, fans can watch around-the-clock television coverage. It’s expected to last for as many weeks, months, or years as it takes. Check your local listings.</p><div id="846a" class="link-block"> <a href="https://daretobeaverage.medium.com/membership"> <div> <div> <h2>Join Medium with my referral link - David Martin</h2> <div><h3>As a Medium member, a portion of your membership fee goes to writers you read, and you get full access to every story…</h3></div> <div><p>daretobeaverage.medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*5Bc76aVgwaRlok0k)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="8bd6" class="link-block"> <a href="https://daretobeaverage.medium.com/subscribe"> <div> <div> <h2>Get an email whenever David Martin publishes.</h2> <div><h3>Get an email whenever David Martin publishes. Subscribe so you don't miss a post. By signing up, you will create a…</h3></div> <div><p>daretobeaverage.medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*QF40IDqxOnHwptBE)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div></article></body>

The road to the Final Four or possibly Armageddon

Spring is here and March Madness is in full swing. Sixty-eight bellicose nations were selected and seeded by the UN and we are now down to the Final Four.

No big surprises in the Mideast regionals. Number one seed, the United States, won its bracket and breezed through to the Sweet Sixteen. Twenty years ago, they demolished small school rival Afghanistan in the opening round and the following year they appeared to do the same to Arab League long shot Iraq.

Other initial survivors in the Mideast included longtime hawks Iran and Syria. Overlooked once again was tiny regional powerhouse Israel who is sitting out the tournament for the seventy-fourth straight year.

The Far East seedings caught everyone by surprise. With the Pac 10 traditionally dominated by such giants as China and Japan, plucky North Korea garnered the number one slot. Despite its economic troubles and recent suspension, the Krazy Kingdom impressed the selection committee with its million-man army and its capability for unpredictable outside shooting.

Historically, the Western European regional included some of the best match-ups. But most members of the once-powerful NATO Alliance have let their offensive game slip in the face of U.S. domination. Not surprisingly, the United Kingdom advanced while former rivals France and Germany bowed out early.

The Eastern European regional traditionally was a lock for perennial Iron Curtain Conference champion Russia. It looked like that would continue until their unprovoked demolishment of Ukraine. Given the reorganization of that conference and the severe UN sanctions recently imposed, Russia no longer remained a serious threat to making the Final Four and has since threatened to blow up the entire tournament.

Some fans looked to the Subcontinent regional for what could have been the most explosive match-up of the year. Historical rivals India and Pakistan were seeded one-two and were set to face off in the South Asian final. Both possessed the long bomb and were not averse to perimeter shooting but the long-anticipated match-up did not materialize.

In the end, all eyes were on the U.S. which, not surprisingly, breezed through the Mideast region in their quest for world domination on the “Road to Armageddon.” But victory, of course, is never guaranteed and every year there are one or two upsets. Longtime fans will remember that the U.S. itself once fell to little-known Far East competitor Vietnam and eventually met the same fate against unpredictable Afghanistan.

However the tournament unfolds, fans can watch around-the-clock television coverage. It’s expected to last for as many weeks, months, or years as it takes. Check your local listings.