The NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, otherwise known as March Madness, will get under way on March 18.

But most people are awaiting eagerly the time they start honing their "bracketology" and begin rooting for their favorite college team to go to the Final Four, the Big Dance or whatever you want to call it.

Whether you are preparing to make the trip out to your favorite sports bar or want to organize a party in your own pad for a home court advantage, basketball fans will have reason to celebrate this annual roundball tradition.

AWAY GAME

While events like the Super Bowl make people want to organize their own house party, the structure of March Madness, with multiple games being played over several days, usually causes many to venture out to get their hoops fix.

"It's a great couple of days to play hookey from work for sure," says Alan Van Zandt, promotions manager for Legends Sports Cafe in St. Joseph.

Bars like Legends will be ready for the games, with their many televisions broadcasting any matchup thanks to the Full Court NCAA package, along with having food and drink specials throughout the tournament.

Uncle D's Sports Bar and Grill also will be getting into the spirit of the college hoops competition, broadcasting every game, running food and drink specials and organizing giveaways. The bar also will be bringing in a Pop-A-Shot basketball game for Miller Lite promotion during part of the tournament.

The frenzy and busy time of March Madness reminds Jeremy Leer, manager of Uncle D's, of the pandemonium of another equally popular sport.

"It's like Sundays... like every day during the week of March Madness is like our NFL Sundays," Mr. Leer says.

If you plan on coming out to see the most (and most important) matchups, Mr. Van Zandt recommends going during the first two days of the tournament, when upsets are a guarantee and the games go from noon to night, or during the Elite 8 when the Final Four participants will be decided.

And while there are die-hard basketball fans, with NCAA tournament brackets in numerous office pools, anybody can get caught up in the action.

"The most casual fan can have fun watching the tournament," Mr. Van Zandt says. "Every single team means something to somebody."

HOME GAME

You could opt to organize a casual March Madness party in your home if you don't feel like posting up on some Jayhawk fan just to score a pitcher from the bar.

PurpleTrail.com, an event-organizing Web site, suggests you start by inviting family, friends or even some old college buddies over with an online evite or a phone call.

Decorate the main viewing area with a posterboard with the bracket and all 65 teams to keep track, along with streamers, foam basketballs and hoops to get in the spirit of things.

Speaking of spirit, try some school spirit by donning your team's colors, Since Kansas is projected to go far in the tournament, Anthony Van Dam, associate manager at MC Sports in St. Joseph, expects Jayhawk merchandise to leave his store as the tournament approaches.

"A lot of people are going to come in buying hats and shirts to support their team," Mr. Van Dam says.

But clothes aren't the only thing that should be basketall-related. Plates and bowls should have the same basketball theme, with team colors of one or both teams the members of your party are rooting for.

Keep the food simple. Hot dogs, chicken wings, nachos, meat and/or vegetable trays and other finger foods will make it easy for company to watch the games as not to miss a minute of gameplay.

And don't forget your beverages. Just be sure to include non-alcoholic drinks in the mix for your more sober game-watchers or kids that may be in the crowd.

Whether you're going out or staying in, you're now officially ready for tip-off.

Lifestyles reporter Blake Hannon can be reached at blakehannon@npgco.com.