Rooting for true “Madness” before the Final Four

This week the word “Madness” in March Madness doesn’t mean what it meant just seven days ago.

Last week the Madness was taking your blank bracket and picking the winners of 63 games. Making yourself feel smart and thinking you knew which 12 seed (Richmond) would show up ready to play and move on to the Sweet 16, what higher seed(s) was a fraud and would exit early (Pittsburgh and Notre Dame), and then after all your homework you go against your gut and pick a few random winners just because you know they are bound to happen somewhere (Gonzaga).

That’s not how your bracket turned out?

Neither did mine (more red ink than yellow Hi-Liter — no joke).

This week it’s about truly having some Madness in this tournament.

I’m rooting for the best stories of the tournament. I want to follow a team I know nothing about, watch their journey and enjoy a ride that was never supposed to be embarked on, according to the experts.

They are all underdogs. I’d be satisfied if just one of them is cutting down the nets with a regional final win.

Southeast

To start, let’s go to New Orleans. I can’t get enough of last year’s Cinderella, the Butler Bulldogs.

This team is coached by someone who looks like he should be preparing for the final stretch of his freshman year in high school. Don’t let looks fool you though, Brad Stevens is a very good coach with a fun, experienced team.

Follow @Tyler_Bassett