With March Madness in full swing, I can't help but be reminded of one of my favorite basketball players: Troy Bolton. He's a Wildcat, and my own team at Villanova are the Wildcats, so really, they just go hand in hand. Watching the March Madness games causes my stress levels to rise just as high as my 8-year-old stress levels rose when I anxiously watched to see if Troy and Gabriella would make it to their auditions and win the championship game. So, since the two are so closely correlated, here are 10 High School Musical gifs that perfectly describe what it feels like to watch a March Madness basketball game.
1. The anticipation before the big game
You start making your plans to watch the game with all of your friends and the countdown begins to the most stressful few hours of your life.
2. The initial, blind confidence
The game has just started, your team has already scored a few times and you're basically ready to bet your life that they'll win
3. Unease at how well it's going
Your team is up by 10 and hasn't missed a single shot yet, this seems too good to be true.
4. Having the coach mentality
Things are changing and your team is starting to miss more shots and the score is getting too close for comfort. You start screaming at the TV because you're obviously the better coach.
5. Panic mode sets in
The other team is ahead and you are in full panic mode. You start to pace around and pray they turn it around fast.
6. Early defeat
It's the second half and things aren't looking good, you start to prepare yourself for the loss you didn't expect and start planning your all-black outfit to properly mourn the loss the next day.
7. The quick turn around
Just when you thought all hope was lost, your team steps it up and starts scoring points left and right. They're making a comeback in the final few minutes and you are here for it.
8. Screaming so loud you're about to lose your voice for the next year
Excitement, stress and anxiety levels are high and everyone's jumping and screaming hoping they can pull out the win.
9. The final few second stress
Your team is pretty much guaranteed to win and everyone is anxiously staring at the clock as it gets closer to 0. With one more shot, the score is final and as the buzzer sounds everyone explodes
10. Pure bliss
All of the stress, anxiety, and worry was well-worth it and long forgotten. Everyone is the happiest they've ever been and nothing can top the feeling of winning another round.