Time Zones. I get it, we need them in our lives. We need to separate the different sections of our country, and even our world, based on the fact that we don’t all see the sunrise or set at the same time. It makes sense, and I would be an idiot to argue something as “scientifically proven” as that.

But, as a sports fan who’s lived in multiple time-zones in his 31 years on this earth (Central and Eastern), the fact that they affect how we watch sports is absolutely insane! The fact that we on the east coast are forced to wait until the wee hours of the night to watch a major sporting event, while folks in California watch it at a normal start-time, is a crime against humanity.

I mean seriously; we have been catering to the west coast for so many years, and it’s become rather asinine. It’s crazy! It’s like they’re the younger brother that you have to let hang out with you and your friends, because your Mom told you to. We’re just rolling our eyes and dragging them along, while they walk smiling and having a grand old time.

It’s absolutely wild! Don’t believe me? Just take a look at Thursday night’s March Madness THRILLER between #10 Arkansas, and #3 Texas Tech.

DARRION WILLIAMS SENDS TEXAS TECH TO THE ELITE 8@TexasTechMBB wins a THRILLER in OT over Arkansas 😱 #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/cQ4IrWIQUC

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 28, 2025

This game, which tipped-off around 10:20PM EST, ended up being a much better match-up than people gave it credit for. With (roughly) five minutes left in the game and the Razorbacks up 13, HC Grant McCasland and co. were able to reach DOWN DEEP, and claw their way back to force OT. They would eventually end up winning in overtime by a score of 85-83, reaching their first Elite 8 since 2019.

It was a game to end all games, and a moment that really solidified the “Madness” in “March Madness.” But for most of us……we had to miss it. For most of us……we had to doze off, and get ready for work the next day. But for the folks in California, who didn’t real have a dog in the fight……they got to sit in their overpriced homes with their avocado toast, and enjoy the game without any possible repercussions.

It’s an absolute mess how these leagues handle their scheduling, but I feel like I have a solution to their problem. I have an idea that will fix all of this nonsense, and allow fans all across the country to enjoy these games in their entirety.

START THEM AT A NORMAL TIME!

Yes, start these games at a normal time. Whatever the “kickoff,” or “tip” is for a specific event…..push it back an hour or two. If an NCAA Tournament game is set to begin at 9:45, push it back to 8:45. Or even 7:45.

“But Kellen, that would mean that games on the West Coast would start when people are still at work/driving home from work. That’s not fair to them!”

That’s an easy fix……people on the West Coast would just need to deal with it. If they want to watch a particular game so bad, then they need to figure out how to do it on their own. It’s not that hard, if we’re being honest here. All they would need to do is record the game they want to watch, start it when they get home, skip the commercials, and then they’d be caught up to the live broadcast in no time.

But will this happen? Absolutely not! If these leagues told Californians that they have to be adults about this situation, then they would be picketing in the streets. They would be marching up and down Hollywood Blvd (or whatever major street they have out there), demanding that the rest of the country conforms to their ways.

Sort of like……the younger brother who whines and complains to Mom about wanting to hang out with you and your friends. (See the resemblance yet?)

It makes complete sense, and if you don’t agree……then you’re probably from California. But in the end, as always…..what do I know? I’m just a guy from the Midwest, with a beer and a laptop, trying to make sense of this world.