Rough Notes + The Wubble: Bracket Madness!
Join my bracket pool & we'll go mad together :)
It’s not too late to hop into March Madness! Amidst the strangest women’s basketball times, the NCAA tournament rolls on — and whether or not you’ve had time to watch this season of college hoops so far, this is prime time to dive deep by making your own bracket for Rough Notes + the Wubble Bracket Madness (the Wubble being my #1 women’s basketball group thread, texting since 2020 or 2021, no one can agree):
For the winner, prizes include: a free “Women’s Basketball Changes Everything” tank top (coolest merch in town), 1 year comp’d subscription to Out of Your League (& access to their awesome Discord!), and a $50 gift certificate to your women’s sports bar of choice.
To prime you for bracket-making (which is truly an expansive invitation, available to everyone regardless of NCAA watching experience), here are a few of my favorite things to pay attention to during this year’s tournament. This is, as usual on Rough Notes, mostly about the vibes… but feel free to use any of it while making your own bracket(s).
#1: Programs On The Rise
My dad Benjy always roots for the underdogs in March — and if you’re like him, now is the perfect time to jump on board. The competition is very steep: according to Rebecca Lobo’s Esteemed ESPN Estimation during the Selection Sunday broadcast last night, she thinks all four #1-seeded teams *should* make it to the Final Four. At the same time, this kind of declaration is basically the siren song of the underdog.
In particular, there are a few programs that have been building for the last few years, but have never made a Final Four under their current head coach. Those folks are frothing at the mouth to prove Rebecca Lobo AKA “Rookie” wrong — teams like #2-seeded Vanderbilt, Iowa & Michigan, #3-seeded TCU, or even #4-seeded Oklahoma and #5-seeded Ole Miss. For them, victory isn’t just a reflection of their team’s success — it’s a statement about the entire coaching staff and program.
#2: Coaches With Main Character Energy
Speaking of coaches, March is the month where they really shine. It can be a cautionary tale, of course (Ahem, K*m M****y) But it’s also quite a spectacle to behold!
One guy I’ll be watching: Geno Auriemma (who by the way is not retiring any time soon) of UConn, the team overwhelmingly expected to win the NCAA championship. In ESPN’s Selection Sunday broadcast last night, Geno exposed himself as joyful, and reflected on how stressed-out he’s gotten in the past by saying, “I’ve been so angst-filled.” (Smells like therapy?) I just really have a soft spot for a grumpy grandpa getting more progressive late in life, and I can’t wait to see Geno actively having fun?!
Then there’s Shea Ralph of Vanderbilt, who both won SEC coach of the year and was ejected from a game during the SEC tournament (also, her husband is one of her assistant coaches, we love that)! Shea Ralph also played for Geno at UConn back in the day, and in this year’s tournament, she’ll potentially go up against that same overall #1 team + her former coach.
During March, I always want to watch Coaches Who Jump Around, as though they themselves are playing in the game, like Yolett McPhee-McCuin from Ole Miss or yes, Kim Mulkey (though I prefer when she’s stressed & crouching). I’d also like to nominate potential jumper Tammi Reiss from the University of Rhode Island, who said during Selection Sunday: “You’re gonna have to kill me to beat me.”
And, of course, there’s Dawn Staley, the reason for South Carolina’s absolute dominance in recent years. Typically, she doesn’t scream or jump up and down on the sideline, but she emanates this quiet conviction and power. Plus, even as a hyper-competitive person, she is noticeably loving — and that’s so rare. Never forget this moment when a reporter tried to trap Dawn into an anti-trans corner with a question, and instead, she responded like this…
#3: Sophomores To Watch Out For
I love a breakout star of March Madness: a player whose greatness is known to their teammates & coaches, but not necessarily on a national stage — until now. These are the players with the potential to take control of a game or make a clutch shot that changes the course of history and propels them into the national spotlight (& dramatically increases their NIL income). often times, that type of player happens to be… a sophomore. Here are some of my faves headed into this year’s tournament:
Don’t forget to nab your Rough Notes merch today to get your tank top by the end of the month, and in time for the Final Four!
