It creates a buzz in the nation like no other. It brings the workforce of America to a halt for a month, and it can make a guy named Pittsnogle famous. There’s only one event that can do this – March Madness — and its right around the corner.

This month-long tournament is the best sporting event in the world. It is dwarfed in stature only by the World Cup, but it’s just as exciting. Cinderellas, busts, pools and brackets all make for one crazy sports month.

Of course, the brackets haven’t even come out yet, but I couldn’t resist the temptation to talk about it. Let’s run down some of the major subplots of this year’s tournament.

We are probably looking at one of the deepest talent pools in college basketball history this year. Thanks to the institution of the NBA’s age limit, we have the opportunity to see stars shine in college before they jump to the NBA, even if it’s only for a year.

The tournament is flooded by star power. Oden, Durant, Wright, Noah, Hansbrough; those are some of the major names that will be carrying their respective teams. In a season when one team hasn’t truly separated itself above the others, filling out a bracket is going to be tougher than usual.

Ohio State is No. 1 right now, but they are young. Florida, the defending champions, are still there and the team is returning all its starters from last year. But, they have been inconsistent this season.

Don’t forget about Kansas and North Carolina, teams with blue chippers galore.

I haven’t even mentioned UCLA, the No. 2 team in the country, who went to the championship game last year.

The tournament can also be the perfect stage for individuals to showcase their prodigious talents.

Few people had heard of Dwyane Wade before the ’03 NCAA tournament, when he led an unknown Marquette team to the Final Four and played himself into the 4th pick in the following NBA draft. The rest is history.

This year, there is no team that wants to face Texas in the tourney, all because of one guy: Kevin Durant.

Durant can single-handedly beat you from the outside, inside, pretty much everywhere on the court. For a sleeper, look at Texas A&M; and shooting guard Acie Law IV. He has shown a knack for being clutch and reminds me of Brandon Roy from last year’s tournament.

For the first time in a long time, the build-up to March Madness has a completely different feeling to it than I’m used to. The reason? The Fighting Illini.

For the first time in seven years, the Illini are in danger of not making the NCAA tournament. Most students probably couldn’t even name the Illini head coach from back then (Lon Kruger).

Bruce Weber’s squad took a major hit on Saturday, losing to a beatable Iowa team on the road. A win would have been a great way to close out the season, and lock up the No. 3 seed in the conference.

Now, they have to wait to hear their seeding in the Big Ten Tourney, and will at least need two victories to have a shot at making the big dance.

Filling out a bracket without the Illini will be an awkward feeling.

I always gave them one more victory than what was likely, and sometimes I would fill out another bracket putting them in the Final Four.

The Illini have their work cut out for them in Chicago and will definitely have to earn a spot in the field of 65. If they don’t make it, it would be disheartening, but at least now you’ll have a good excuse to fill out the NIT bracket.

Majesh Abraham is a junior in LAS and he can’t wait for Selection Sunday. He can be reached at

[email protected].