The Old College Try

March Madness Returns For Another Round of Basketball Excitement

In sports circles this is one of the most exciting times of every year. It’s March Madness, the three week tournament that features the best college basketball teams in the nation … and, yes, a few that aren’t among the best but the committee has to fill those 68 slots with someone! The annual dance of teams culminating with a Final Four that usually nobody has predicted tips off this year on March 13.

The “Play-in” game that used to open the tournament is gone, and replaced with a “First Four.” Unlike the Play-in game, which for the most part featured the number 64 and 65 teams (think Austin Peay, Sam Houston State or Maryland-Eastern Shore), two of these First Four games will feature squads battling for control of a 12 seed (think Virginia Tech, St. John’s or Richmond). Essentially, these games will pit the final four at-large teams in the field. The other two opening round games will be traditional contests between 16 seeds – the least impressive of the automatic qualifiers, whether it’s the best team from a struggling conference or a 12-18 underdog that somehow managed to scrape out a win in a conference tournament.

The new format was a terrific compromise for the NCAA, which had been pressured to expand the tournament from 65 teams to 96. Had that happened, “bubble talk” that dominates sports news in early March would have significantly tainted. Instead of arguing the merits of a 20-13 Washington State versus that of a 23-9 Charlotte, the selection committee would be debating which 16-15 team from a mid-major deserves a chance to play with the best. Talk about diluting the field. For now, at least, we can move forward with this 68-team configuration – that is, until the money factor rears its head again, and university presidents, coaches and NCAA officials decide it’s time to revisit the conversation.

This year’s tournament is bursting with numerous tantalizing storylines. Can Duke overcome injuries suffered during the season to repeat as National Champions, a feat they accomplished in 1991-1992? Can traditional powerhouses like Michigan State, Kentucky and North Carolina finish strong and make another run at a Final Four? Which mid-major team – Brigham Young, San Diego State, Xavier or Cleveland State – will step up and capture the title of this year’s Cinderella? Which player will single-handedly carry his team to glory? What 2, 3 or 4 seed will flame out in the first round? Who will benefit most from the tournament and cement his status as a top pick in June’s NBA draft? All these stories and sub-plots will play out during the three weeks at the end of the month, concluding with the Final Four April 2 and 4 at Houston’s Reliant Stadium. Get your office pools ready. This figures to be a wide-open tournament and, as we’ve seen plenty of times before, anything can happen!

2011 NCAA Basketball Tournament
March 13        Selection Sunday
March 15-16   First Four
March 17-20   First and Second Rounds
March 24-27   Sweet 16 and Elite 8
April 2             Final Four
April 4             Championship

All games will be broadcast on CBS Sports and TimeWarner (TBS, TNT and truTV)

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