Big Bubbles Blow

We go thru this every year at this time, but for some reason the whole issue of 'bubble teams' seems to loom larger than ever in anticipation of the NCAA Basketball tournament. A handfull of big-name schools are in danger of being left out of the field of 64 TEAMS.

I think everyone needs to stop and think about what I just said. If you are not sure if your team will make the cut and be ranked in the top sixty-four teams in the nation, then that team probobly does not deserve to be competing for a national championship. The whole point to the tourney is to crown the best team in college basketball. Its not supposed to be about ensuring the big-name programs are included in order to generate larger profits. It supposed to be about the very best teams competing for bragging rights and a place in sports history.

Sure, we seem to have a 'Cinderella' team every year in the tournament. But that team seldom wins it all, and usually has a crappy follow-up season. Because the whole 'Cinderella' phenomenon can be better described as a FLUKE.

Right now, fans of Kentuky, Florida, and Maryland are nervous because thier teams might not make the cut. These same fans also point out that thier teams play tough schedules, and ANYTHING can happen once the brackets are set and play begins. I will agree that each of those teams would have a legitimate chance of winning some games once the tourney began. Considering the money they spend on thier programs, the publicity the schools receive which help with recruiting, there is simply no excuse for these teams to suck. But after having seen them play this season, its easy to understand why these teams might be left out.

We watch the tourney to see the true Cinderella teams.. the Villanova, the Layola Marymount, and the George Mason that comes out of nowhere and stuns the world. Small programs with little national recognition or public support. We dont watch in hopes of seeing a big program finally attempt to live up to expectations.