It's March, and that means all eyes are upon the sport of college basketball. And why not? College basketball is primal, peppy, loud, fun, historic, goofy, social, exciting, unpredictable, decisive, brave, clean, and reverant.

The excitement. Taking the day off from classes or work on the day of the big game. The energy that builds before tip off. The buzz in the air. More than the pro game, the energy of the fan base, specifically the students, transcends . . . time . . . and-space . . . to . . . give the college game an enduring primal urgency. The cave is deep in our memory.

The pep bands. Beats the hell out of Jock Rock blasted non-stop on a distorting overhead speaker. Oye Como Va never sounded, uh, peppier.

The students. Oh to be young and boisterous again. Tent cities, face paint, matching t-shirts, free-throw distractions. Sitting in the student section at games, we look forward to bad calls for the reactions they bring.

The partying. There's nothing like getting juiced up with your friends before a big game and then stumbling teary-eyed into the light, noise, and spectacle that is college basketball. Jager' anyone?