The underdog.

The dark horse.

The Cinderella team.

However you refer to these lower-seeded bracket bruisers, these teams make March Madness exactly that. Madness.

And for me, these teams make watching the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championships worthwhile.

In an unfavorable matchup, I always find myself rooting for the lower-seeded teams. The underdogs. I don’t know why. Perhaps there’s some evil little part of me that takes joy in seeing “the better team” fall horribly and miserably to a lower-seeded team.

Actually, I think it has more to do with the fact that in a tournament like this, any team has the chance to make it to the big dance. And more importantly, they have the same exact chance as any other team. It doesn’t really matter whether you’re a No. 9 seed or say, the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament. Lose once and you’re done. No second chances. No do-overs. Nothing.

There’s no mercy for teams that keep a good record all season. There’s no reward for being a No. 1 seed, except for maybe getting a few give-me games. But of course they’re not always a give-me.

It’s times like these when you see which teams have the guts and glory to put it all on the line. You see who can play aggressively to make unbelievable shots.

Sure, luck may have something to do with it. It would definitely explain how someone could make a shot that seems nearly impossible.

But I think, more importantly, you have to possess the ability to not crack under the pressure of losing.

That’s where being a lower-ranked team could have its advantages. The expectations, and therefore pressure, of a lower-seeded team are not as high as those of a No. 1 seed.

The higher-ranked teams are supposed to win. That’s why they’re ranked higher.

I don’t know about you, but that would make me more nervous. If I’m supposed to win, that makes losing even harder. Why would any team want that pressure?

Sure, some survive and thrive on pressure. It’s what drives them to their full potential. And I’m sure it also has something to do with wanting to always be number one. But when it’s all said and done, all any team wants to be is national champs.

I would definitely rather be part of a lower-seeded team. It makes beating the opponent all the more sweet.<br/>