The check-in: It could have always been this way

Record-smashing ratings during March Madness come with a ping of sadness. (Plus: The whip-around.)

Hi, friends.

What a weekend, huh?

The Sweet 16 and Elite 8 are in the rear-view mirror, and the Final Four is set: No. 1 South Carolina and No. 3 N.C. State will play at 7:00pm ET on ESPN on Friday night, followed by No. 1 Iowa and No. 3 UConn. The championship game will be on ABC Sunday afternoon at 3pm. It’s going to be awesome, and I’m lucky enough to…