March is one of the more unique months on the sports calendar. For three weeks, fans and casual observers alike become obsessed with college basketball. The sport that doesn’t get half that attention during the other 16 weeks of its season is a staple of American consciousness in the years’ third month.
Syosset is not immune to the madness. A trip around local bars Thursday night found many patrons sitting down, staring intently at television screens illuminated by the Sweet 16.
Most didn’t have a specific rooting interest. In fact, some didn’t even have brackets or pools to keep tabs on.
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“I’m just watching the game with all the guys here tonight,” one Christiano’s patron said.
About half the bar area of the on Ira Road was filled with fans watching the games.
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Down the road at Irish Tavern, few were seen watching the tournament. However, that’s not for lack of trying by the owners.
Noreen’s offers specials during all NCAA games including: $2 sliders, half price wings from 7:30 p.m to 10:30 p.m, and free wings from 10:30 p.m to 11:30 p.m. Throughout March Madness, the tavern held a contest to win tickets to Friday night's Sweet 16 games and Sunday’s Eastern Regional final.
Upsets were on the mind of some. on Jericho Turnpike found fan Steve Powell.
“I like the fact that the underdog can win,” he said.
As Powell sat and watched, one of the tournaments most beloved underdogs, BYU, fell to Florida in overtime. Sometimes underdogs can’t write the story book ending. Luckily, the lesser half of David vs. Goliath match-ups wasn’t all he was interested in.
“Some of the teams I wanted from the Big East didn’t win. So I’m a little upset about that,” Powell said.
One of the teams that did advance from the Big East, UConn, beat San Diego State. Entering Friday night’s slate of games, the Big East had two teams left in the tournament, UConn and Marquette.
Powell wasn’t the only person pulling for Big East schools.
“We support the Big East here,” Inn Between manager Joe Berardino said with a grin.
UConn’s success wasn’t the only reason why Berardino was happy. Sure, that had something to do with it, but the fact that the games bring in more customers was clearly another.
When asked if he saw an increase in business during March Madness, his reply was a quick, “Definitely.”
“We always do well during March Madness here,” Berardino continued. “We do specials and run pools.”
Those choosing to experience March Madness in one of these three Syosset locations will have five more chances to do so. Games fill the schedule for the rest of this weekend. The Final Four tips off on April 2, while the National Championship closes the book on another round of madness on April 4.
