Whether you call it the Big Dance, March Madness, the Road to Final to the Final Four or simply the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship, the sporting world will be glued to their TV's for a couple of weeks in March. If you can't watch every game and get all the stats, predictions and bracket updates, your Android phone and the Android Market have the apps you need to follow your team all the way to the Final Four.
1. March Madness Countdown
This simple app does one thing and one thing only: it counts down the remaining days, hours and minutes until the madness begins. If you are a March Madness fan, you probably already know exactly when the first tipoff is scheduled and have made adjustments to your schedule. (In other words, you've decided what excuse you will use when you call in for work.) But this app will help build the excitement as you watch the seconds tick away, each bringing you closer to the Road to the Final Four.
2. NCAA Men's Basketball
This free app is a portal app that directs you directly to the NCAA pages on the CBS website. And while most any sports related website will have information about the tournament, CBS will be the primary TV station covering the tournament. Though this app doesn't have any functionality beyond taking you a website, it can save you browsing time.
When you need to get up to date information from the CBS website, this app will get you where you want to go quickly, accurately and without having to fumble around with entering in URL's or doing web searches.
3. NCAA March Madness Fan Zone
Image courtesy of the Android Market
One of the best things about March Madness is talking about your predictions and game results with others. Whether you want to compare your bracket predictions with others, get advice, or discuss how the 16th seed really has a chance at upsetting the number 1 seed this year, the NCAA March Madness Fan Zone will give you your fill of March Madness conversation
You can update messages about your favorite teams, invite Facebook friends to join the conversation and even post Twitter updates. For the NCAA Tournament fan, this app is a must have.
4. Bracket
Thomas Phelps
When carrying around a paper print out of your bracket just doesn't make sense, the Bracket app allows you to keep your bracket up to date and as close as your pocket. With the ability to edit your bracket, receive live scores and updates, this app could very easily eliminate the your need to print out your bracket.
Whether you want to make a simple "green step" and cut down on your paper use, or simply love the convenience of having your bracket electronically and saved on your phone, the Bracket app fits the bill.
The app does have some bugs that cause an occasional force close, but it is well laid out, simple and is easy to keep your bracket up to date and timely.
5. College Basketball Scoreboard
Image Courtesy of the Android Market
Before your team finds out whether or not they made the Tournament, they first need to finish their season strong and play their league championship. Keeping you up to date on the regular and league championship scores is where this app shines.
Enter in your favorite team and get up to the minute scoring updates and any breaking news. The app will give you all the scores and breaking news for the major NCAA Men's Basketball conferences.
And to make the app more personal, you can trash talk your arch rivals or brag about your team with the built in Facebook and Twitter connections.
This app is solid, easy to use and while it doesn't show scores and news about every team, it covers the majors quite well.
6. Any Stop-Houston Metro
Image courtesy of the Android Market
If you are fortunate enought to be travelling to watch the 2011 Final Four, which will be played in Houston Texas, the Any Stop app will serve as your guide to the Houston Metro transportation system.
This app will use your GPS coordinates, and guide you to the nearest bus, train or ferry stop nearest you. Unless you know your way around Houston, this app can help you make sure you get to the games on time while also helping you get around town to see and do all the things there are to do in Houston.