It’s been an agonizing 710 days since we last experienced the glory that is March Madness. But good things do in fact come to those that wait.
March Madness has officially returned with the “First Four” play-in games of the men’s NCAA tournament, which kicked off Thursday with No. 16 seeds Mount St. Mary’s and Texas Southern on TruTV.
Following the cancellation of last year’s March Madness due to the COVID-19 pandemic, fans have patiently waited for the return of one of sports’ most exciting traditions.
And if Twitter is any indication, fans are feeling pretty emotional with its return. From the opening tip-off, it felt like all was right with the world.
It’s good to be back.
Guys. #MarchMadness has started 😭🙌🏼 https://t.co/cYQlAngdwQ
— Paul B. Livengood II (@IamLivengood) March 18, 2021
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! https://t.co/byhcsZuwSD
— Amy Groman (@AmyGroman) March 18, 2021
First NCAA tournament game in 710 days… https://t.co/KspkZt0sIb
— Tim Carrico (@TimCarrico) March 18, 2021
Annnnnnnnd here we goo! #MarchMadness https://t.co/B8cgZigNrb
— Ryan Sprouse (@RSprouseNews) March 18, 2021
Been waiting two years for this!!! #MarchMadness #NCAATournament https://t.co/jOcfqCiWyb
— David Kaiser (@jinxkaiser) March 18, 2021
Don't know what you got till it's gone.
THE DANCE IS BACK BABY!#MarchMadness https://t.co/N8qO3YS6S2
— Harry Sullivan (@SullyWVLT) March 18, 2021
All the feels. 😭😭😭 https://t.co/F3wNxsYNN1
— Pam Chvotkin, Storyteller (@reddusfoximus) March 18, 2021
MARCH MADNESS IS HERE!!!! pic.twitter.com/e4cWNuSwVk
— Patric Villanueva (@PatVillanueva12) March 18, 2021
https://t.co/K9QBFhEON6 pic.twitter.com/Qk4r7Sk6Ge
— Alec Marovitz (@alec_marovitz) March 18, 2021
My life is whole again https://t.co/opTcbGPIad
— Uncle Mike (@mikeyg124) March 18, 2021
Can't believe it's really here! Let's do this!
I know it's popular to dunk on the NCAA, but let's give credit where credit is due. They've done incredible work to give us a March Madness we'll remember for a long time. https://t.co/bsgrEL7LKZ
— Paul Elliott (@paul_elliott90) March 18, 2021
Welcome back, March Madness! 🏀 https://t.co/dENLMuSWaE
— Iliana Limón Romero (@LAT_Iliana) March 18, 2021
https://t.co/6N2algmJDG pic.twitter.com/Cz4xNDEuZ0
— Will Yeguete 🌍💭🧠 (@Will15Yeguete) March 18, 2021
https://t.co/iyDAKC1fj9 pic.twitter.com/OV3hxfPnHx
— College Hoops Breakdown (@CHoopsBreakdown) March 18, 2021
Did this make me cry… YES https://t.co/hbj5cPrRys
— Kaitlyn Kozlowski (@Kaitlyn_Koz) March 18, 2021
There are three other “First Four” play-in games on Thursday night, which also includes No. 11 seeds Drake and Wichita State, No. 16 seeds Appalachian St. and Norfolk State and No. 11 seeds UCLA and Michigan State.
Then the fun really begins on Friday as the first round kicks off with a slew of games from the South and Midwest Regions before the East and West Regions compete on Saturday.
Strap in, folks. The fun is just beginning.
