AOL Sports presents: Why Fans Love Sports
We understand -- your bracket is in shambles. Middle Tennessee? Yale? It's okay. It's not your fault.
To help restore that early March Madness jubilee, we've drawn up a totally different field of 64 -- but this time, you're the one deciding who moves on.
Separated into four "regions," we're out to discover what today's sports fans love the most.
"Moments" features the top sports feat of each year in the new millennium. "Athletes" follows a similar structure. "Memes" ranks our favorite sports-driven Internet sharables, and "Reactions" does the same with classic athlete celebrations, dances and the like.
The result will be a Final Four unlike ever before, eventually pitting a meme or reaction against a moment or athlete, determining what today's sports fans love the most.
To vote, keep your eyes peeled to @AOLSports on Twitter, where we'll be tweeting the official polls throughout the week.
Keep scrolling to find the full bracket, as well as a full voting schedule and live polls for the Round of 64.
Click the bracket below to enlarge
Reactions Region
(1) Lambeau Leap vs. (16) Westbrook's Gun Show
Which is the better celebration?
Starting off with a 1-vs-16 matchup…
See the bracket here https://t.co/KsEfxZIDuo— AOLSports (@AOLSports) March 24, 2016
%vine-url="https://vine.co/v/Omt1FzZjXal"%
VS.
%vine-url="https://vine.co/v/MviqrpTQ9ht"%
(2) MJ Shrug vs. (15) Steph Curry Assuming His Shots Go In
Next in Reactions:
MJ Shrugging vs. Steph assuming his shots go in.
See full results here: https://t.co/KsEfxZIDuo— AOLSports (@AOLSports) March 24, 2016
VS.
Ringling Brothers... pic.twitter.com/H0DTTHrXzY
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) January 10, 2016
(3) Joey Bat Flips vs. (14) Victor Cruz's Salsa
Tough one here... Which celebration is better?
See the full bracket and details: https://t.co/KsEfxZIDuo— AOLSports (@AOLSports) March 24, 2016
%vine-url="https://vine.co/v/eEdvmvFOj5A"%
VS.
%vine-url="https://vine.co/v/O16YExaqj35"%
(4) Iverson Stomps Over Lue vs. (13) *Pick Your Own Ochocinco Dance*
Which was better?
See the full bracket here: https://t.co/KsEfxZIDuo— AOLSports (@AOLSports) March 24, 2016
%vine-url="https://vine.co/v/MKQ1h7hbLLb"%
VS.
(5) Randy Moss Moons Green Bay vs. (12) Onions
Next up in the Reactions bracket:
See the full bracket and details: https://t.co/KsEfxZIDuo— AOLSports (@AOLSports) March 24, 2016
VS.
(6) Mutombo Finger Wag vs. (11) Money Manziel
Two great reactions, but you have to pick one.
See the full bracket and details: https://t.co/KsEfxZIDuo— AOLSports (@AOLSports) March 24, 2016
VS.
(7) T.O. in the Cowboys Star vs. (10) Dab
Better NFL celebration?
See the full bracket and details: https://t.co/KsEfxZIDuo— AOLSports (@AOLSports) March 24, 2016
VS.
%vine-url="https://vine.co/v/iBTtL5pHH76"%
(8) Brandy Chastain loses her jersey vs. (9) Ray Lewis Dance
Finishing off the celebration bracket. Voting open through the weekend!
Full bracket here: https://t.co/KsEfxZIDuo— AOLSports (@AOLSports) March 24, 2016
%vine-url="https://vine.co/v/hTeLzL0r5WI"%
VS.
%vine-url="https://vine.co/v/OJQATOgQIeF"%
Memes Region
(1) Crying Jordan vs. (16) Wilmer Flores gets emotional
Voting now open!
Can a 16 pull off the biggest upset in meme history?
Full bracket here: https://t.co/KsEfxZIDuo— AOLSports (@AOLSports) March 23, 2016
It’s over. pic.twitter.com/UVK8tZnIoo
— AOLSports (@AOLSports) March 18, 2016
VS.
%vine-url="https://vine.co/v/eXrl1pDwtYH"%
(2) Tom Brady's sad sketch vs. (15) Clown Question, Bro
Next up... Nos. 2 vs. 15 in the Memes region.
See the full bracket and live results here: https://t.co/KsEfxZIDuo— AOLSports (@AOLSports) March 23, 2016
Tom Brady looks like Quasimodo. pic.twitter.com/NKRxLg5ayo
— The Sports Geeks (@thesportsgeeks) August 12, 2015
VS.
%vine-url="https://vine.co/v/bVzI25wBLTF"%
(3) Everything Riley Curry does vs. (14) Discount Double Check
Memes Region: No. 3 vs. No. 14
See the live results and full bracket here: https://t.co/KsEfxZIDuo— AOLSports (@AOLSports) March 23, 2016
VS.
(4) Practice...? vs. (13) I'm Just Here So I Won't Get Fined
Moving right along...
Iverson v. Beast Mode.
See the full bracket here: https://t.co/KsEfxZIDuo— AOLSports (@AOLSports) March 23, 2016
%vine-url="https://vine.co/v/OOamaj5qIHF"%
VS.
%vine-url="https://vine.co/v/OTTDuvuDbqK"%
(5) PLAYOFFS?!? vs. (12) That time DeAndre Jordan sparked an emoji war
Next up: The infamous 5-vs.-12 matchup.
See the complete bracket here: https://t.co/KsEfxZIDuo— AOLSports (@AOLSports) March 23, 2016
%vine-url="https://vine.co/v/ezanJYLv3Ep"%
VS.
(6) Butt Fumble vs. (11) Can't Wait!
Next: A pair of #Jets moments at opposite ends of the spectrum.
See the full bracket here: https://t.co/KsEfxZIDuo— AOLSports (@AOLSports) March 23, 2016
VS.
%vine-url="https://vine.co/v/e9EgLmQ6pl1"%
(7) You play to win the game! vs. (10) ?? Nick Young ??
Only a few more left in the Memes division. Time for 7 vs. 10.
See the full bracket here: https://t.co/KsEfxZIDuo— AOLSports (@AOLSports) March 23, 2016
%vine-url="https://vine.co/v/e6uLX5Yli73"%
VS.
A post shared by Daquan (@daquan) on Mar 11, 2016 at 6:36pm PST
(8) Tim Howard saves everything vs. (9) The Bears are who we thought they were!
Rounding out the Memes region...
See the full bracket here: https://t.co/KsEfxZIDuo— AOLSports (@AOLSports) March 23, 2016
#ThingsTimHowardCouldSave Ned Stark. pic.twitter.com/gk7fV9jmn4
— Daenerys Targaryen (@Daenerys) July 2, 2014
VS.
%vine-url="https://vine.co/v/OwD5A1vzQA7"%
Athletes Region
(1) Michael Phelps, 2008 vs. (16) LaDainian Tomlinson, 2006
Which athlete had the better year?
See the complete bracket here: https://t.co/VjHqlJJTBR— AOLSports (@AOLSports) March 22, 2016
The greatest American Olympics performance of all time, pitted against a 28-touchdown, 1,800-yard season for the former Chargers running back.
(2) Barry Bonds, 2001 vs. (15) Sidney Crosby, 2007
Who had the better season?
Find the complete bracket here: https://t.co/VjHqlJJTBR— AOLSports (@AOLSports) March 22, 2016
In 2001, Barry Bonds hit 73 home runs -- a record unlikely to ever be approached ever again. In 2007, a 19-year-old Sidney Crosby registered 120 points for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
(3) LeBron James, 2013 vs. (14) Carlos Beltran, 2005
Which athlete had the better year?
Find the complete bracket here: https://t.co/VjHqlJJTBR— AOLSports (@AOLSports) March 22, 2016
Perhaps the peak season of LeBron James' prime culminated in a championship for Miami -- 28 points, eight rebounds and seven assists on 57 percent shooting. But remember Carlos Beltran's record-breaking postseason tear with the Houston Astros in 2005?
(4) Shaun Alexander, 2005 vs. (13) Kevin Durant, 2014
Who had the better season?
See the full field of 64 here: https://t.co/VjHqlJJTBR— AOLSports (@AOLSports) March 22, 2016
Remember when Shaun Alexander scored 27 touchdowns and took his team to a Super Bowl? Seems like decades ago. You'll probably have an easier time remembering KD's MVP campaign of 2014.
(5) Randy Johnson, 2002 vs. (12) Miguel Cabrera, 2012
Who had the better year?
See the full field of 64 here: https://t.co/VjHqlJJTBR— AOLSports (@AOLSports) March 22, 2016
Randy Johnson's 24 wins in 2002 -- to go along with a 2.32 ERA and 334 strikeouts, was worthy of a Cy Young. But how does it compare with a Triple Crown?
(6) Serena Williams, 2015 vs. (11) Tom Brady, 2003
Whose season was better?
See the complete bracket here: https://t.co/VjHqlJJTBR— AOLSports (@AOLSports) March 22, 2016
Serena's dominance of yesteryear is fresh in everyone's memories, but Tom Brady's championship 2003 season -- while he was just a few years removed from being a backup -- was one for the ages.
(7) Kobe Bryant, 2010 vs. (10) Drew Brees, 2009
Whose season was better?
See the live-updating, complete bracket here: https://t.co/VjHqlJJTBR— AOLSports (@AOLSports) March 22, 2016
In 2010, Kobe Bryant took home his final NBA title after averaging 27 points per game. A year prior, Drew Brees put up a season that culminated in a championship for the New Orleans Saints.
(8) Aaron Rodgers, 2011 vs. (9) Tiger Woods, 2000
Last one for today!
Who had the better season?
See the full bracket and live results here: https://t.co/VjHqlJJTBR— AOLSports (@AOLSports) March 22, 2016
Aaron Rodgers threw for 48 touchdowns in 2011 before winning a championship. In 2000, Tiger Woods won nine of his 20 events, including three majors, taking home more than $9 million in winnings.
Moments Region
(1) Red Sox Snap the Curse vs. (16) White Sox end World Series Drought
Better sports moment?
See the full bracket here: https://t.co/VjHqlJJTBR— AOLSports (@AOLSports) March 21, 2016
The top moment in sports from 2004 -- and our No. 1 overall -- goes up against a similar feat that went down just a year later, when the White Sox snapped an 88-year title drought.
(2) Tyree's Helmet Catch vs. (15) Boise State's Statue of Liberty Play
Better sports moment?
See details and the full bracket here: https://t.co/VjHqlJJTBR— AOLSports (@AOLSports) March 21, 2016
The higher seed will go down as one of the most exciting plays in Super Bowl history, but the underdog here provided quite a bit of excitement a year earlier.
(3) Aaron Boone's Walk-Off Homer vs. (14) Dyson Stopped at the Goal Line
Better sports moment?
See full details and complete bracket here: https://t.co/VjHqlJJTBR— AOLSports (@AOLSports) March 21, 2016
The shot that vilified Aaron Boone forever in the city of Boston goes up against one of the most thrilling endings in Super Bowl history.
(4) Derek Jeter's 3000th hit vs. (13) Texas vs. USC Rose Bowl
Better sports moment?
See full details of Why Fans Love Sports here: https://t.co/VjHqlJJTBR— AOLSports (@AOLSports) March 21, 2016
A storybook milestone against one of the best college football games in recent memory.
(5) Malcolm Butler's Decisive Pick vs. (12) Tuck Rule
Hey #Patriots fans..
Better sports moment?
See full bracket & live updating results here: https://t.co/VjHqlJJTBR— AOLSports (@AOLSports) March 21, 2016
Two plays that will live forever in Patriots history. One clinched the most recent championship of a dynasty. The other perhaps enabled that dynasty.
(6) Mike Piazza's Home Run for New York vs. (11) James Harrison's 100-yard Interception
Better sports moment?
See the full bracket and real-time results here: https://t.co/VjHqlJJTBR— AOLSports (@AOLSports) March 21, 2016
One home run helped revitalize an entire city after tragedy. The other was one of the most memorable plays in Super Bowl history.
(7) Ray Allen's Finals-Saving Three vs. (10) Usain Bolt's 2012 Olympics
Better sports moment?
See our full bracket and real-time results here: https://t.co/VjHqlJJTBR— AOLSports (@AOLSports) March 21, 2016
Of all Ray Allen's three-pointers, this one may go down as the most important. It goes up against one of the best Olympics performances ever.
(8) The Decision vs. (9) Beckham's One-Handed Grab
Last one for today!
Better sports moment: No. 8 vs. No. 9.
See the complete bracket here: https://t.co/VjHqlJJTBR— AOLSports (@AOLSports) March 21, 2016
The Decision changed the NBA landscape as we knew it, for years to come. Odell Beckham's one-handed catch was effectively the beginning of his NFL stardom.