The 2023 men’s and women’s NCAA basketball championships are done and now I can get back to my reading for pleasure at night. The past three weeks have been a whirlwind of excitement and despite my men’s bracket (some year I will fill out both tournament brackets) being not so great, I have spent several hours in front of the TV watching “real” basketball (instead of the no-defense-until-the-fourth-quarter NBA games). These young men and women put their hearts and talent into the games.

Caitlin Clark of Iowa was the biggest drawing card of the women’s tournament. She is the first basketball player (men and women) to score 40 or more points in two tournament games. Her shooting and passing are phenomenal. Despite the controversy over LSU’s Angel Reese mocking her at the end of the championship game (Yes, Clark did the same thing in the Hawkeyes’ win over previously undefeated South Carolina in the semifinal game), the tournament should be remembered for Clark’s production, the upsets of the top-seeded teams – such as what happened in the men’s tournament – and the skills of the players. And it is nice to know that Clark will be back for another year – unless she jumps to the WNBA.

The men’s tournament gave us a wonderful ride with the 9th seeded Florida Atlantic University surprising many, making it to the Final Four and only losing on a buzzer-beater to San Diego State after leading for most of the game in the semifinal. And the top seeds – Alabama, Houston, Purdue and Kansas – never made it into the Elite Eight. Amazing.

And we say good-bye to Jim Nantz, the CBS announcer for the men’s tournament for 37 years. He says he will continue announcing the Masters golf tournament (it’s this weekend), but like announcer Billy Packer before him, we will miss his insight and memorable words during the broadcasts.

OK, now to find a nice mystery to read. Have a great week.