March Madness: Five Ways to Make Watching College Basketball on TV More Fun Than Being There

Think you've got to have good seats in a giant arena to really enjoy college basketball? Saving money to travel to conference or NCAA tournaments and planning your vacation time around March madness? Spare yourself those expensive tickets and the stress. The best way to enjoy March madness and follow your favorite basketball team is in your living room. NCAA basketball coaches, college basketball players and those guys who make big money setting up the March madness with NCAA tournament brackets may disagree. Let me state my case before you throw your foam finger at me!

1. Make college basketball a family affair.

Growing up, I had virtually no interest in sports (watching or playing). This could have been a big disappointment to my dad, who had coached my siblings in a variety of sports and peppered his conversations with quotes from NCAA basketball coaches like John Wooden and Adolph Rupp. One summer, dad asked me to stay up and watch the delayed broadcasts of his favorite team. What an honor for an elementary school girl! The first few games it was just the two of us. I could ask all the questions I wanted and he was very patient in explaining the game. The rest of the family began joining us. Those are still some of my best childhood memories. Share your love of the game with those you love.

2. Get out those Superbowl recipes and add a few new ones for March Madness!

College football has a big advantage over college basketball in one important area: food. Tailgaiting doesn't exist in March. That leaves those at the arena with maybe a hot dog, some popcorn and watered down soft drinks. Watching college basketball at home leaves your food options unlimited. You can prepare an elaborate spread or just let everyone make their own Dagwood sandwiches. And with the money you're saving on tickets, you can even order pizza. The food will be much better...and you won't have to wait in line at the concession stand!

3. Turn the television volume down and turn your radio up.

Don't you get tired of listening to the national know-it-all announcers calling play-by-play. I turn down the volume on the television and turn on the radio. I have excellent views of all the key shots and I can hear the voice of my favorite college basketball team. (And he usually agrees with me while I'm yelling at the referees.)

4. Involve some friendly rival fans.

Every college has traditional rivalries and many of these make the best games in any tournament, but especially March madness! Are you a Louisville grad with a neighbor who cheers for Kentucky? Invite the neighbors over and enjoy the big game together. Hopefully, your children will enjoy the game. If not, break out the monopoly board and let them have their own game!

5. Buy some low-cost, comfy furniture.

When it's time for the big game, I drag the bean bag chairs out of the bedrooms, throw some pillows on the furniture. encourage your guests to take off their shoes and get comfortable. Once everyone is comfortable you'll find that their ready to get more involved in the game. Some of those pillows may get thrown after the star point guard misses field throws or when the ref makes that inevitable bad call. NCAA basketball can cause a wider range of emotions than football. Get ready for people to cheer, complain...maybe even cuss.