North Carolina is basketball country. North Carolina and Duke have one of the greatest rivalries in sports. NC State gave fans the 1983 championship that proved to be the stuff of legends. Even other schools like Wake Forest, Davidson, and even East Carolina have produced professional talent.

College basketball takes it to a whole new level each year when March rolls around. March Madness is one of the most captivating events in all of sports. Sitting back and cheering on favorite teams, rooting for underdogs, and the sheer amazement at the annual upsets — there are few things to compare it to.

Beaufort County’s basketball minds took some time to reflect on their favorite memories from NCAA tournaments past, as well as weigh in on this year’s March Madness.

Click HERE to submit a bracket for the WDN’s challenge. See how your pics stack up against Beaufort County!

Southside coach Sean White’s favorite thing about March Madness:

“I watch more college basketball during March than I do any other time. During the regular season, I mainly watch the teams I like to watch. In March, you never know when there’s going to be a great game. You’re tempted to watch all of them. I try to get in as many as possible.”

 

White’s favorite March Madness memories:

“I am not a Duke fan, but the shot by (Christian) Laettner to beat Kentucky several years ago. That was one of the good ones. Naturally, the championship game with NC State and Houston that State won. Those are just a couple that come to mind.”

 

Northside assistant Jabari Ashe on a potential first-round upset:

“I’m actually interested in the Kentucky-Davidson game because Kentucky, this year, they’re so young. I feel like if there was an upset in the first round, that could possibly be an upset. … Kentucky is so young, so I could see them making mistakes.”

 

Washington coach Ralph Biggs on the players’ mindset in tournaments:

“A lot of times, the preparation is to play to your strengths. Do what you do, what you’ve always done, what you did to get there, but do it just a little bit better. Do it a little bit better than you did the game before. … It’s tough (to play a team for the first time in a tournament) because you don’t have a lot of time to prepare for what they’re doing. Mostly, you have to rely on what you do.”

 

Ashe on which teams he’s looking forward to seeing:

“Michigan State. I haven’t really had a chance to watch them this year. Clemson, I haven’t had a chance to watch them. Wichita State, they’re a No. 4 seed, so I’m assuming they had a good season. Michigan, and then Xavier. I have not seen them play, but they’re a No. 1 seed, so I’m assuming they’re solid.”

 

Biggs on the one team he definitely sees making the championship:

“If I pick from my heart, because I love them, I’m going to pick Carolina. If I had to pick and I was betting money, I would probably go with Kansas. With Virginia, my problem with them is they can play defense with anybody, but when they run into a team that’s hot, are they going to be able to score with them? Villanova is the opposite. When the game slows down, are they going to be able to score on the inside?”