{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"March 18, 2026 - The Science of March Madness","description":" LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 18, 2026)  \u2013 March Madness is built on split-second decisions, emotional swings and the thrill of uncertainty. From game-winning shots and busted brackets to late-night tip-offs and watch parties with friends, the NCAA tournament offers more than drama on the court \u2014 it also creates a window into how people think, react, connect and make meaning through sports. Using the science and humanity behind those moments, the tournament can serve as a lens to explore pressure, sleep, brain health and identity.&amp;nbsp;  Across UK\u2019s campus, experts in social work, neurology, aging and sociology study the kinds of moments March Madness brings into focus \u2014 from performance under pressure to the effects of lost sleep, from the role of social connection in brain health to the personal and cultural identities reflected in the brackets fans fill out each spring.  On this episode of \u2018Behind the Blue\u2019, we talk with several of those experts: Matt Moore, associate dean of academic and student affairs in the UK College of Social Work; Dr. Subhendu Rath, assistant professor of neurology with UK HealthCare\u2019s Kentucky Neuroscience Institute; Dr. Elizabeth Rhodus and Dr. Gregory Jicha of UK\u2019s Sanders-Brown Center on Aging; and Caroline Brooks, a sociology professor in the UK College of Arts and Sciences.  Moore explains why athletes who appear \u201cclutch\u201d are often relying on preparation, repetition and the ability to focus on what they can control; Rath outlines how even modest sleep loss during tournament season can affect attention, memory, mood and reaction time; and Rhodus, Jicha and Brooks examine how March Madness can foster brain engagement, social connection and a sense of belonging \u2014 while also revealing the subtle biases fans bring to the brackets they fill out each spring.  \u2018Behind the Blue\u2019 is available via a variety of podcast providers, including Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Spotify. Subscribe to receive new episodes each week, featuring UK\u2019s latest medical breakthroughs, research, artists, writers and the most important news impacting the university.  \u2018Behind the Blue\u2019 is a production of the University of Kentucky. Transcripts for most episodes are now embedded in the audio file and can be accessed in many podcast apps during playback. Transcripts for older episodes remain available on the show\u2019s&amp;nbsp;blog page.&amp;nbsp;  To discover how the University of Kentucky is advancing our Commonwealth, click here.  This interview has been edited for time and clarity. ","author_name":"Behind the Blue","author_url":"http:\/\/behindtheblue.libsyn.com\/podcast","html":"<iframe title=\"Libsyn Player\" style=\"border: none\" src=\"\/\/html5-player.libsyn.com\/embed\/episode\/id\/40531435\/height\/90\/theme\/custom\/thumbnail\/yes\/direction\/forward\/render-playlist\/no\/custom-color\/0033a3\/\" height=\"90\" width=\"600\" scrolling=\"no\"  allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen><\/iframe>","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/assets.libsyn.com\/secure\/content\/199835925"}