March Madness: A Cinderella Story

Every year during March Madness, the term “Cinderella team” starts to get thrown around. These are teams that no one expects to win, usually the 16th seed or somewhere between 12 and 16. This is what makes the tournament so fun to watch, being able to see smaller schools go against bigger schools and have a chance at winning.

A lot of these teams deal with adversity the whole time, with millions of people doubting them, and they don’t get highlighted as much as a big-name school would. They’re always seen as the weaker team, but sometimes this helps them.

Senior Brett Inman said, “I believe it’s both an advantage and a disadvantage to be in a Cinderella team because it gives them the firepower they need to keep fighting through the tournament, but it can also be bad with all of the country rooting against them. That doubt can motivate them to prove everyone wrong.

This season had some good examples. Senior Nazir Johnson talked about HighPoint University. “I believe High Point had a chance after they beat Wisconsin. I believe they just lacked the little things, which led them to getting beaten.¨ Even when a team is on a winning streak, it’s the little things that will take them out.

Some Cinderella moments become unforgettable memories. Senior Robrion Edwards said, “My favorite Cinderella team was the Oakland Grizzlies with Jack Gohlke. The way he dominated against Kentucky was awesome and really fun to watch.¨

Overall, Cinderella teams are a big part of what makes March Madness so electric. They show that even when the whole world is against you, and no one expects you to succeed, you still have a chance to win if you play hard and stay confident.