Remember When Binghamton Bearcats Made March Madness? [VIDEO]

Before last year, the men's college basketball tournament would take place throughout the country. We would fill our brackets and take time off of work to watch our favorite teams. Some men would even get vasectomies so they could recuperate at home, it even has a name, "Vasectomy Mayhem."

Last year, everything came to a sudden end in early March, and the "madness" was canceled completely. This year, the tournament will take place in the Indianapolis bubble. Syracuse will be playing against San Diego State with tip-off at 9:40 p.m. at the Hinkle Fieldhouse.

As we get ready for the madness, let's go back to 2009 when the Binghamton Bearcats were the talk of the town. The Events Center was packed and the Bearcats defeated UMBC in the America East Championship game by a 61-51 score.

The future looked bright as the fans rushed the floor. Do you spot yourself in the video? Then they would wait to find out who they would take on for the Big Dance. Binghamton would be a #15 seed and take on the...Duke Blue Devils. It was the first (and only) time they would play in the NCAA basketball tournament.

I watched the game, and it seemed like the Bearcats weren't getting any calls. I'm a basketball official and I ALWAYS give the refs the benefit of the doubt but I remember saying to the TV, "Hey fellas, Duke doesn't need any of your help to win the game."

The game was over early and in a way, it was the beginning of the end for the Binghamton men's basketball program as we know it. It was an exciting season and I won't forget the run they had and the fun we enjoyed while watching them.

I'm not going to look back at what happend the next year because I choose to look forward. Beginning in the 2021-2022 season, Levell Sanders will be at the helm for Binghamton. Bearcat fans (including myself) are excited about the future and we can't wait to see games at the Event Center again.