Every so often, someone reminds us that few things in sports resonate more powerfully than discovery. When a brilliant new kid, man or woman, comes along, we turn into gawkers hopping on for every inch of the ride.
Remember young Tiger Woods? We stared at his every move, as if he were a walking fireworks display, and much of the world seemed to dance when the 21-year-old won the 1997 Masters.
How about young Venus and young Serena? Or young Tim Lincecum? Or still-young Patrick Mahomes?
We often make such discoveries in the men’s and women’s NCAA Tournament, which under normal circumstances would begin this week and dominate conversation throughout March.