Sure, there are many reasons to look forward to spring. The temperatures are finally warming up, and occasions like spring break and Easter are around the corner. However, in the South, spring also marks the start of one of our favorite things: basketball season. To those who don’t quite understand the fanfare around college allegiances and sports, it can seem like a lot of hullabaloo—but not to Southerners. And when it comes to March Madness, Southerners always love to get in on a little healthy competition, especially brackets that garner bragging rights with friends and family.

As you’re monitoring your bracket and watching the constant basketball coverage, enjoy these 10 things Southerners say during college basketball’s March Madness.

Showing Love to Southern Teams

 “Look out everybody, we’re a basketball school now!”

You might hear this coming from fans of colleges whose basketball programs have hit the spotlight. *cough, Auburn, cough, Alabama, cough*

“Bless their hearts, they’re just not a basketball team…”

This comes from fans stemming from the other end of the spectrum, who hold onto their football pride well into basketball season.

“SEC, SEC!”

This can be heard chanted across the South—because 7 of the Sweet 16 teams are SEC schools this year.

“I don’t care who wins, I just want a Southern team in the championship.”

Preaching to the choir! At the end of the season, we’ll take a win as a win, even if it isn’t our alma mater.

Getting in on Bracket Competition

“Ugh, I never liked {that team} anyway! They’re all hat, no cattle.”

What else is there to say to save face when a team inevitably loses and messes up your bracket?

“Well, butter my backside and call me a biscuit—I didn’t see that coming!”

There really is no predicting the upsets that occur over the course of March Madness.

“I couldn’t in good conscience root for my football rival, no matter how good their stats are.”

Some divides transcend from sport to sport, which any Southern college alum knows well.

“This round, I chose the team with the best mascot.”

For those who like the competition more than the sport, a well-dressed or “cute” mascot goes a long way.

“I just love to root for an underdog, don’t you?”

This is said while simultaneously praying to the heavens that they don’t bust your bracket.

“Well there it goes, my bracket’s busted!”

Said in a Southern drawl, this just about sums up the disappointment of a bracket destroyed.