Get your game on(line) this March

By Jessie Atkin

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March Madness 2009 is on its way. Selection Sunday is March 15 and the Final Four begins April 4 in Detroit.  Not everyone lives in Detroit so here are a few of options for enjoying the games from a bit more of a distance. Other than television, which isn't really a great travel companion, the Internet again strikes as a force to be reckoned with in viewing these near four weeks of college clash. 

For the viewing pleasure of anyone with a computer, the main sites, including CBS Sports, and the NCAA both provide free online playing options.  Like 2008, the demand video player will use a wide screen format and provide a live scoreboard.  There will be a live halftime show for the online crowd, and the option to view multiple games at once.

This year is particularly unique in that CBS has again dropped the need for other sites to register in order to use its on-demand player.  This year over 200 sites will have access to streaming the game as well.  ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Yahoo Sports, Joost, and even Facebook will all also be able to stream the tournament live through links, which gives more options to the rest of us.

It has been rumored that Joost has some freezing problems, but with all the other options this season it doesn’t seem like it will be much of an issue.  Access is all but unlimited through CBS's generosity where its on-demand player is concerned.  CBS Sports and the NCAA are providing a few more options on their specific sites.  Besides both entities providing on-demand viewing for free, improved access to the games can also be acquired by signing up for a VIP pass online (though only a limited number are available to protect bandwidth from overloading).

The VIP option will provide faster access to the on-demand player, and improved video.  Without a VIP pass viewers may have to wait in long queues before being able to access the live feed anywhere.  Again, VIP access is free, but limited.  March Madness on demand will also provide audio options of live play by lay for all the games in the entire tournament.  So, even when headphones are a better cover than a straight up video player, missing a moment won’t be an issue.

This year CBS is also providing a bracketing application for Facebook where you can compare your choices to those of friends and trends in general. This year is the second time all 63 tournament games will be available online.  It is also the second year unregistered users will have access to the games online. 

With broader site options, less red tape over registration, and the popularity of social networking sites, the NCAA Basketball Tournament will be accessible in ways it never could have been before.  Audio or video, VIP access or a scramble for space, there's an experience ready for anyone.  Whatever teams wins, whatever team loses, at least we can all score where game access is concerned.