March Sadness!

It’s that time of year again! The snow is gone and the sun is shining. The days are longer and the nights are shorter. Without a doubt, spring is in the air. But the aroma of intense college basketball is the overwhelming scent filling the sky. It’s March Madness Baby! I’m not Dickey V, but I get just as excited as him this time of the year. This is when the hunter becomes the hunted and the mentally weak crack under pressure. Unfortunately, this is also when traumatic memories are etched in the minds of many, because only one team will cut down the net as “One Shining Moment” plays in the background. Although they call it March Madness it becomes more like March Sadness, but the crying and whining starts way before the tournament begins.
It usually starts during championship week, when all of the analysts begin predicting who’s in, who’s on the bubble, and who’s out. I can not believe how much weight these non-athletic, want-a-be basketball players, analysts have on the sway of who makes it to the dance. Joe Lunardi is the voice of reason for ESPN and his Bracketology concept is highly valued by many. He gets millions of hits on his website during basketball season from college basketball fans seeking his advice. I think it is ludicrous that his input or any other analyst’s prediction should have any bearing on the 65 teams selected, but contrary to popular opinion, it does.
If it does not, please explain how Mississippi State University did not make it in the NCAA tournament. They had the SEC Championship game signed and sealed, but could not deliver during the final seconds against the Kentucky Wildcats. “Lady Luck” was definitely on the side of Coach Calipari and his crew, because if DeMarcus Cousins does not get the put back, MSU walks away as the SEC champions and their in the tournament. Yet, they oust MSU from the tournament and offered them an invitation to the “Toilet Bowl Tournament”, the NIT.
Last but never least, is the Duke Blue Devils. How in the world did they get a #1 seed? I can not wrap my brain around this decision. The ACC was weaker then the Big Ten and the Big Ten was weak this year. Not to mention, the Wisconsin Badgers handed the Blue Devils a “Big L” this season during the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a fan of Coach K, but not to the point of giving him and his team favor over another team that deserves to have the #1 seed (hint: West Virginia).
To make matters worst, they gave them the easiest route to the Elite Eight by placing them in the South region. This is clearly where the Kansas Jayhawks should be, seeing that they are the #1 team in college basketball. It is only proper to seed them in less demanding region. In the Midwest region, the Jayhawks will have to go through Michigan State University (13) or Maryland (20) as well as Georgetown (14) or Ohio State University (5). All four teams are ranked in the Top 20. While the Blue Devils may have to face Louisville, Purdue (10), Villanova (9), or Notre Dame, these teams rankings and quality of play down the stretch has been far from remarkable.
The Purdue Boilermakers are without their second leading scorer, Robbie Hummel and the Louisville Cardinals have been inconsistent the entire season. They have been a mere shell of themselves compared to last year, so do not let the name fool you. Their bark is definitely worst than their bite. Needless to say, the only ranked team they may face will be the Villanova Wildcats, but that would not be until the Elite Eight. Now you tell me, is that fair?
Fair or not, it is less than three hours from tip off of the 2010 NCAA “March Madness” Tournament and I am geeked. My advice to everyone is to go get your food, drinks, and put on your favorite college team paraphernalia, because it is SHOWTIME BABY! By the way, don’t forget to get some tissue, just in case your team gets sent packing.