Lots of college basketball fans were ecstatic about the return of March Madness this year, including country artists Matt Stell and Ryan Hurd, who had a friendly wager against each other.
"This March Madness was particularly great for a lot of reasons," gushes Matt Stell in a statement from their label. "Number one, my Arkansas Razorbacks made the Elite Eight, found out this year we finished sixth and the final National poll, which is as good as we’ve been in a long time.
"It also was a great tournament not only for some huge shots and some huge games and some huge upset, but I also won a fair amount of money betting against some people and betting for the Baylor Bears," he continues. "So, Go Bears. Thanks for that capital. I’m sure I will waste it on another sporting event."
"I love sports. I love March Madness. I think it’s the most amazing American sporting event, truly, truly," adds Ryan. "It’s better than the Super Bowl. To me, I love basketball. I love College basketball.
"I went to Belmont, and Belmont has always had an amazing basketball program, and I love making a bracket, but I’m never good at it," he continues. "And I feel like it’s so hard to pick these upsets. But I just really loved watching everybody play. And really, there’s something so joyful about that tournament. And you see, these people who have given so much of themselves to their team, go out there one final time and lay it all on the line. And I just truly enjoyed the entire tournament.
"And maybe next year I’ll win money on Matt Stell, instead of him taking it off of me."