For some folks like myself, March 1st means one thing and one thing only, the start of the most electrifying month of the year; it’s time for March Madness! It’s time to break out those old superstitions that make College Basketball so freaking special. It all starts on Tuesday as the Mid-Majors start their Conference Tournaments with one shot at making the Big Dance. That first week of March always sets the tone for the rest of the month to follow, between the final few games of the regular season for some, and the reality of win or go home for others makes for an unbelievable prelude of what’s to come over the four weeks for the entire College Basketball world.

From the novice College Basketball fans or the junkies like myself, all the Madness starts on Tuesday when the First Rounds of a few Mid-Majors get fired up to kick all the Madness off with a bang that is only in College Basketball.

I know what you’re thinking, what’s the proper way to enjoy the Madness this week, and what are the storylines to watch out for as the week progresses.

First, and probably the most interesting storyline to watch out for this week, will be what happens in Evansville with the Ohio Valley Conference. If you’re a bubble team this week, you’re rooting like hell for Murray State to win that conference tournament because if not, the OVC could very well be a two-bid league. Murray State is the obvious favorite to win the OVC Tournament after finishing the regular season 18-0 in conference play and 28-2 overall. However, Belmont, Moorehead State, or Southeast Missouri State, might have something to say about Murray States’ run at another OVC Championship.

Second, and just as exciting as the OVC Championship, Arch Madness, as the Missouri Valley folks call it, will get underway on Thursday. Arch Madness this year will be no different, as all top four teams have legitimate NCAA Tournament hopes. Between Northern Iowa, Loyola Chicago, Missouri State, and Drake, all of the College Basketball world will turn their focus to St. Louis this weekend for Arch Madness.

Lastly, the OVC and Arch Madness aren’t the only exciting College Basketball Tournaments this weekend that will prepare you for March Madness. Others include those conferences such as the Sun Belt with Texas State, the Southern Conference with Chattanooga, or heck, even the ASUN with Liberty. College Basketball is not prepared for what’s to come over the next four weeks, starting with these Conference Tournaments.

Here’s the thing, March Madness is pure; it brings folks from all walks of life together with one common love of the game of College Basketball. March Madness brings all of us back to our youth with such an allure that only College Basketball can provide. There’s nothing like it. Enjoy the start of March Madness this week; like a fine bourbon, it only gets better with age; it’s the timeless classic that keeps on giving.