There is something about tournament play that stands above the rest when it comes to basketball. I am that guy that can not stand to watch a regular season NBA game. But I love college basketball.

In terms of high school, there are games that are fun to watch (during the regular), but for the part, I don't get excited until its postseason time. I would say, for most people, they would feel the same way. The answer is simple as why that is, and its the "excitement" of the game. But where does the "excitement" come from.

When you look at the college basketball regular season, it is more exciting than the NBA for the simple fact that there are less games. With less games, leaves less room for error. One loss, although not likely, could mean the different between a number one ranking and a number two ranking, or a number one seed in the tournament compared to the number two seed.

There is more emphasis put on winning games in college basketball than there is in the NBA for that simple fact.

Earlier this season, I heard a radio interview from a NBA coach who admitted that if his team was not in a game in the second half, he was more likely to rest his starters to preserve them for a game later in the week. Rarely do you see this happen in a college basketball game. If that were the case Duke would of never come back to defeat NC State the other day after being behind by 20. Kentucky would not have come back from a 13 point deficit against Mssissippi State to win. (This is clearly just an example, I am aware that it was just a halftime deficit).

To the high school game now. When district and region play arrives you see the same type of excitement. Watching Estill County boys make their run last year in the 14th region tournament was exciting to watch! Just when you thought they were defeated, they would go on montrous runs to come back and win. How about Hobo McCoy coining the fourth quarter "Hobo Time" last year for Pike Central.

Just the other night, I watched Breathitt Co. girls go up big on Wolfe Co, and watched as Wolfe made a game of it right before the half. The emotion that teams and players play with is something to experience. When teams and players know there season is on the line, that is when their best shows. That is what makes March Madness such an amazing time of the year. Each day you never know what you are going to get. Just tonight we saw an upset as Middlesboro boys defeats the defending 13th region champions Bell Co. How about the 15th region champions Shelby Valley falling to East Ridge? Then Rockcastle Co., the defending girls state champions, were eliminated by Pulaski County.

There is nothing like watching a team/player play their heart out in a win or a loss when they know there season is on the line. It is just something you can't explain. I am sure for the next several week, we will be witness to several buzzer beaters, heart breakers, and resiliant play that we will be talked about for time to come. Now, its just time to sit backWe  and enjoy the show.

- Rock

www.twitter.com/derekwymt