As the scores roll in and teams are crossed off the brackets, many students revel in the excitement of what they consider "the most wonderful time of the year."
But the popularity of March Madness basketball pools didn't convince first-year College students Omar Syed and Holly Lewis to bet money on their picks. Instead, they each jokingly wagered a fourth of their pride.
"I'm not big on betting money so I figured the next best thing would be pride," Syed said. "I have a lot of it that I can spare."
Lewis said she believed it was a "big risk" but has confidence in her picks, despite the fact that she doesn't usually follow college basketball.
Some students pointed out that those who have been watching the games all season often do poorly in March Madness pools.
"I know this guy that knows more about sports than anyone else and he's getting killed in the pool," first-year College student John McNamae said.
Third-year College student Chris DeSimone said he has experienced this first hand.
"I follow college basketball every year and I still don't do as well as I think I should," he said.
First-year Engineering student Mike Forkin said he thinks that the chances of getting picks correct can be so low because "in any given game, anyone can be beaten."
Third-year College student Kristen Scott pointed out that many people make the mistake of picking teams "closest to their heart," which is often unrealistic.
Despite unexpected upsets and crushing defeats, many students are still glued to the scoreboards.
McNamae said his friend has taken over the television and has his computer set up nearby to check the scores of other games.
Lewis, however, hasn't been as adamant about keeping up with the outcomes and chatting about teams with friends.
"A lot of people I know are talking about it, but I'm not," she said.
Ultimately, it hasn't been all fun and games for Syed, who has already been forced to swallow some of his wagered pride because of tournament results.
"I started out good [in the pool] until Stanford and Kentucky lost, thus ruining my life and making me want to boycott basketball forever," he said.
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