How will it end?

Someday, Danny Ainge's coast-to-coast, buzzer-beating lay-in over the outstretched arms of Orlando Woolridge might have some competition as far as being the best the highlight in BYU's NCAA Tournament history.
Someday.
Could that come this year?
Maybe. But first, BYU has to make the tournament field, and second, the Cougars need to get their first first-round victory since a 1993 triumph over SMU as a No. 7 seed. (The Cougars lost to No. 2 seed Kansas in the second round that year).
While BYU's recent NCAA success has been lacking and the Cougars are only 11-25 in 22 tourney trips, the last few visits have had the boys in blue on the cusp.
In 2003, the Cougars nearly beat defending national champion Connecticut before falling 58-53. The next year in Denver, BYU had another defending NCAA champ on the ropes, leading Syracuse by double figures in the first half behind the surprising 3-point shooting of Luiz Lemes and Mike Hall. But Gerry McNamara had the game of his life with 43 points and nine treys as the Orangemen rallied for an 80-75 win.
Last year's trip saw BYU falter down the stretch in a 79-77 loss Xavier in an 8-9 game. But the seed was the Cougars' highest since 1995. And it came with a 25-8 record. This year's squad is on pace for a 25-6 regular season (if they go 7-1 in MWC's second half with a predicted loss at San Diego State). Winning the conference tourney in Vegas would mean a 28-6 record, but more likely is reaching the finals and losing to UNLV.
Where would a 27-7 BYU be seeded? Despite playing more big-name teams this year, the Cougars' schedule strength isn't impressive overall. And the road losses at Boise State and Wake Forest will knock BYU down a rung or two, even with a solid run down the stretch in conference play.
BYU is destined for a double-digit seed, but the Cougars have played tough as a No. 12 seed in recent NCAA visits as mentioned above. The key to winning as an 11 or 12 seed is the play of Trent Plaisted and Jonathan Tavernari. Both are explosive but inconsistent. I wouldn't count on JT being on fire the NCAAs, so Plaisted will have to score inside to complement Lee Cummard and the steady but unspectacular Sam Burgess. If that happens, BYU has a chance. If JT is hitting, BYU reaches the second round and possibly the second week.
The last time that happened?
Yep, 1981. Danny Ainge and company beat Princeton and UCLA the first week, topped Notre Dame in the Sweet 16 and fell to Virginia in the Elite 8.
Not much has been Elite about BYU basketball since. But that could change this year.
That is, if the Cougars are living right. Because if they are, Magic Happens.
Even in March.

Spring fever defined

About this time of year, the sun will come out, the temps will hit the 40s and suddenly people are swept up with Spring Fever.
But just what is Spring Fever?
It's a synonym for March Madness.
Those feelings up euphoria, excitement and energy are not derived from the prospect of warmer weather but from the holiday of hoops that awaits us.
Three of the best days of the year will arrive March 13-15 in the form of the Mountain West Conference tournament. The following Thursday through Saturday is simply the greatest three days in sports each year. (I'd say four days, but Cougar fans don't watch on the Sabbath, right.)
The NCAA tournament is easily the greatest event in sports. Yes, better than the Super Bowl, the college bowl season, the World Cup, the NBA Finals or anything else. By far.
(Note: While I go nuts for Cougar football, my enthusiasm in highest in July and August. By bowl season, my Cougar grid appetite is not nearly as ravenous, especially in a meaningless bowl game.)
Those first three (or four) days of wall-to-wall hoops should be proclaimed national holidays. When at BYU, I would walk campus with my handheld TV glued to CBS. As a teacher at the MTC, I would slip out of the classroom to the teacher break room and break out the TV for an update.
At hour, it was all hoops.
Twice I have attended the tourney in person (once in Denver when the Cougars lost a heartbreak to Gerry McNamara and Syracuse and once in Salt Lake City. Both are experiences not to be forgotten.
First-round upsets. Double-overtime thrillers. Memorable moments galore.
You can't be it.
With BYU on pace for the most wins in school history (I project a 25-6 regular season, a loss to UNLV in the conference tourney finals (27-7) and one win at the NCAA tourney for a 28-8 final mark), this will be a March to remember.
Can't wait.