March Madness has descended upon the sports world.

But these two instances have nothing to do with college basketball, those amazing Villanova Wildcats not withstanding.

What has gotten into those Sixers? While we snored through the winter sports season, Mo Cheeks’ scrappy young squad has turned into winners, a certifiable playoff team.

Last night they put an exclamation point on their resurgence by topping the league’s best team on their home hardwood. The Sixers went into Boston and stunned the first-place Celtics, 95-90.

And that’s not even the most astounding thing that happened. During a fourth quarter run, the 76ers outscored the Bean Towners 19-0.

Don’t look now, but this team just might make things interesting in the playoffs. The win puts the Sixers a game over .500, the first time they’ve been on the plus side of the won-loss ledger this year.

They have 11 games left, then it’s on the post-season. One thing appears fairly certain. There aren’t many teams that want a first-round date with this red-hot team.

The other thing on my mind today is the start of the baseball season. No, not the opener for the Phils. That doesn’t happen until Monday.

But the season officially opens today (actually the game is being played right now) with a contest between the Red Sox and A’s. So what, you ask?

So they’re playing the game in Japan. That’s right, the opener of the National Pastime is being played in the Orient.

All together now: I don’t get it.