The words "sleeper" and "Cinderella" are two words that I've always hated when it comes to the NCAA tournament. Teams like Butler, Northern Iowa, Bucknell, Cleveland State, and George Mason are called Cinderella teams if they win a few games in the tournament. While these teams play in sub par, or "Mid-Major" conferences they don't deserve to have their accomplishments deminished by that. These teams probably have a harder road to the tournament that other teams belonging to the "Power 6" conferences. These teams have to win their conference tournament to get in. A few of the better "Mid-Majors" such as the Missouri Valley, Colonial, Horizon, West Coast, Conerence USA, Mountain West, WAC, and the Atlantic 10 get more than one team in. The team that wins the regular season crown is usually rewarded with an invite as well as the team that wins the tournament. Let's use Wichita State as an example. They are tied with Missouri State for the Missouri Valley conference title. They might still might get in, but they have to win their conference to assure a birth. If they don't win the Valley Tournament, then it's very possible they don't make the field. Up until this season the committee handed out 34 at-large births. Michigan State goes back on forth from being one of the last four in to the first four out. I don't think a team like Michigan State or Illinois would win the Missouri Valley conference yet they could get in where Wichita State could be watching the tournament from home. Now, let's say Michigan State and Wichita State both get in, and win a few games. After watching the way Illinois and MSU played tonight, both teams will probably get into the tournament because of blowhards like Michael Wilbon, but it's VERY unlikely that either of these teams will win a single game in the tournament. But, for argument sake if they both make it to the Elite 8, Wichita State will be considered a "Cinderella" team even though they are a better team than MSU. Michigan State will be "finally living up to their expectations" or "coming together at the right time" or something along those lines. MSU should be called a Cinderella team if they even win one game!
I think this will be a tournament for the underdogs. The past week has made me believe this even more. There is no arguement who the best 4 teams in the country are right now. So far this week we have been shown that all 4 of these teams are human. I've said it before that while I agree these are the 4 best teams, that none of those 4 will win the National Championship. This is going to be a year where we hear that dreaded word (Cinderella) a lot. I think teams like Utah State, San Diego State, BYU and Temple are going to make deep runs into the tournament. There are also teams in the Power 6 conference to watch out for. Arizona is one that comes to mind. They are in control of the Pac 10 and quietly sneaking up in the rankings. North Carolina is another. They had a rough start to the season but despite blowing a big lead at Duke, appear to be coming together. Florida is another team that's quietly taking care of business leading the SEC East. I don't see UNC or Florida doing well in the tournament but I could see Arizona surprising a lot of people and making it to the Final Four.
The Selection Committee has a tough decision on their hands this year. They have given themselves 3 more spots to fill by expanding the field to 68 teams, but that's not going to make it any easier. All of the Power 6 conferences have a LOT of average teams. Teams like Michigan State, Illinois, Kansas State, Baylor, and Marquette are sitting at .500 in conference play. 4 of those had very high expectations at the beginning of the season, but have under-performed. Then you have a few Mid-Majors that have more than one deserving team. You have Xavier, Temple, and Richmond in the Atlantic 10. You have UTEP, Southern Miss, and Memphis in Conference USA. You have George Mason, Old Dominion, and Virginia Commonwealth in the Colonial. You have Missouri State and Wichita State in the Missouri Valley. You have San Diego State and BYU in the Mountain West. And finally you have St Mary's and Gonzaga in the West Coast Conference. Only one of those teams from each conference get in automatically. But do teams such as Illinois, MSU, KSU, Baylor deserve to be in the field of 68 more than Missouri State or VA Commonwealth?? Is mediocrity in a Power 6 Conference better than superiority in a Mid-Major. When they announce the bracket there will be people upset about who got in and who didn't. But, those guys have a VERY tough job ahead of them and I don't envy them one bit. But, whatch out for the 'dogs. It's gonna be that kinda year.
No comments:
Post a Comment