March Madness Sweeps Across Local Bars

Selection Sunday has come and gone and the mighty mitt of Michigan is proud to have three of its collegiate basketball teams in the Big Dance—giving Michiganders lots to cheer about come the NCAA tourney that starts Thursday.

March Madness strikes college sports fans everywhere, but just what is it?

"It's how we refer to the NCAA basketball tournament that lasts from March to the beginning of April, and they determine the champion of college basketball, in its simplest terms," said Billy Campbell, GM of Hatchy's Sports bar in Utica. "It's one loss and you're done, and it's big."

According to HowStuffWorks.com, it is the chaos created by fevered friends cheering on any of the 68 teams vying for college basketball's biggest prize that gives this tournament its nickname. Games are played day and night, and enthusiastic fans of the teams in the tourney will be flocking to local watering holes to catch their team in action.

has teamed up with WDFN Radio 1130 to give listeners and guests the opportunity to win big with bracket competition this tourney season. For free, stop into Boston's and fill out a bracket. If you determine the perfect bracket—meaning all your picks won are correct—you will win $1,000,000. Yes, those zeros are correct. A cool mil in your pocket. Other finishers won't be left out, either. A Boston's party for 10, gift certificates, and more are up for grabs, too.

Boston's first viewing party is Friday March 18, with WDFN in the house, and all the games from day's start to night's end will be shown on all their HDTV screens. Drink specials will be available as well.

will also have the games on, and specials are still being determined.

Whether you're cheering on the Spartans of Michigan State, your University of Michigan Wolverines, or the Oakland University Grizzlies be sure to catch the action at one of Utica and Shelby's sports meccas. Our advice is to call first to make sure your game will be on.