Realizations

Don't Kid Yourself

Once again, for the 4th time in the last five years, my step-mom is going to win the annual Bracket Competition on my Dad’s side of the family. Thank you Pittsburgh. Actually, shame on me for underestimating Jay Wright.

College basketball, more so than any other sport, is all about coaching. This year, the Final Four will consist of Tom Izzo, Jim Calhoun, Jay Wright and Roy Williams. I do not regret the picks I have made this year. My only regret with this entire tournament is the fact that I actually spent time this winter watching the College Basketball regular season. It is officially a waste of time.

A one seed, a three seed, who really cares? It doesn’t matter. Villanova has virtually played home games the entire way through the tournament thus far. Not that I am complaining, they earned that right by playing well in the best conference this season.

The men’s college basketball regular season is a joke. It has little to no bearing on who will compete for the National Championship. I never thought I would come to this point, but I finally understand why a playoff in College Football would be a bad idea. Forget money, logistics of scheduling, etc. I don’t claim to be smart enough to incorporate all of that. The fact of the matter is that a tournament in college football would make the regular season irrelevant. Why play the regular season? Put USC, LSU, Alabama, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Texas, Florida, and take your pick… put them in a tournament and be done with it.

My step-mom will admit to not watching a single college basketball game this year. Tournament included, other than the last three minutes of the close games. I think she is on to something. I on the other hand, spent my winter weekday nights tuned in to ESPN to watch the Big East or whatever overrated Big Ten team was being televised. The domination of Michigan State by Purdue in February in West Lafayette doesn’t really mean much now, does it? Boiler Up! Or how about the “epic battles” this year between UConn and Pittsburgh when DeJuan Blair had his way with Hasheem Thabeet? Have fun watching the big man in Detroit, DeJuan. I am making a remix to the Green Day song and replacing September with February. Wake Me Up When February Ends.

Oh but Brad! Arizona’s KEY victories in December are what got them into the tournament. Butler’s early season wins got them into the tournament even after losing in the Horizon League Championship. Yeah great, I’ll save Brad Stevens a seat next to me on the couch this weekend. Not you though, Budinger. Hands off the remote, you can watch America’s Next Top Model on your own television.

The tournament selection committee should be commended. They, as they normally do, got it right. Before this past weekend the top three seeds were a combined 24-0. The pod system, instituted by the NCAA to save money, has created chalk in the bracket. I love it. The favorites win their games and we get match-ups like we did this past weekend between powerhouse schools. As a side note, I’m still waiting to see how that injury to Jermone Dyson is going to affect Uconn. They look even better without him, to me.
The NCAA Tournament is fantastic, no one can dispute that. No one in America gets any work done those first two days. But, it comes at the expense of the regular season. How about all those all important conference tournaments at the end of the season? How many of the Final Four teams won theirs? I’ll give you a hint, it starts with “z” and ends with “ero”. Winning your conference means next to nothing, just ask Ricky P. Although, I guess it somehow gives Coach K a sense that he and his program are still relevant.