This is the first year in recollection that no one has had much to say about which programs were unfairly snubbed in the NCAA’s selection process. I believe that it is concrete proof that there is an incredible amount of parity in college basketball these days. I believe it is the result of how the one-and-done is adversely affecting the power programs, while the mid-majors hold on to their players for a full matriculation.
That’s a cause-and-effect situation which the NCAA needs to address some day.
It was apparent that the selection committee had very few challenges, so they created one by deciding they had the right to orchestrate things by trying to create match-ups which would be presumed TV ratings giants.
They were wrong to do that because the “madness” part of “March Madness” is caused by expecting the unexpected to happen naturally!
This year’s selection committee manipulated the seeds for purely these illogical reasons by making assertions which simply were unimpressive.
I believe that the selection committee has lost their way because they have little or no idea what basketball people would understand naturally. They have the minds and intentions of Administrators, not basketball people.
Think of it:
There are seven athletic directors and three conference commissioners; All are administrators- None are basketball people!
So, what if the NCAA, in an effort to guarantee that the Big Dance stay as vibrant as ever, and preserve the “madness” we all look so anxiously forward to, comprised the selection committee of retired coaches?
Just think of the untapped knowledge, understanding, and experience we, as college basketball fans are squandering! Here are some guys I’d love to hear/see considered:
Bobby Knight, Louie Carnesecca, John Thompson, Lute Olson, Dean Smith/Bill Gutheridge, John Chaney, Bobby Cremins, Lefty Driesell, Gary Williams, Dave Odom, Clem Haskins , Tex Winter, Paul Westhead, Pete Carril, Gene Keady, Digger Phelps, Rollie Massimino, Nolan Richardson, Lou Henson, Denny Crum and so on, and so forth. The list is only limited by your memory and their ability/desire to serve!
This fraternity of retired coaches can relate to each and every dribble, each and every twist and turn of competition; from the hatching of an infantine team in the non-conference season to their coming into their own for conference competition. They all understand winning, and what it takes to deserve to make it and succeed in the Big Dance.
Gone would be the abject stupidity of a chairman who suddenly announces to the nation that there was now six teams on the ultimate bubble as opposed to the four that has been the norm.
Gone would be a selection committee who tried to create matchups simply because it would be “good TV.”
Gone would be the hypocrisy of having bureaucrats from conferences and programs that rarely even field a seed. I wonder how these people do their jobs and see all the teams they ought to in order to make credible evaluations?
Gone would be the “fuzzy logic” of members who have no lineage/experience in college basketball and have been unfairly influenced by their small circle of exposure.
Gone would be people trying to re-create history, instead of allowing it to happen by making informed decisions based on a “been-there, done-that” experience.
The “Big Dance” is, without a doubt, the best annual sporting event in America. Why should it not be run by the absolute best people in college basketball?
By Bermuda Bob
Bermuda Bob is a regular reader and contributor to the Duke Sports Blog community.
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