Selection Committee

Selection Sunday is a day of suspense, hope and sometimes heart break. For the few weeks leading up to that day, conferences are putting the finishing touches on their seasons, as well as their conference tournaments. For some small schools, the chance to play in the biggest tournament in college basketball is on the line, for some large schools, seeding is the only thing at stake, while others are fighting to get one of those last at large bids.

These "non-power" conferences most of the time send one team only as their representative for the NCAAs. While other conferences, like the Big East and Big 12, send 7 or 8 bids. 32 teams are automatically invited to the tournament because of winning their conference tournament (or in the case of the Ivy League, the regular season winner is considered the conference winner, and therefore gets the automatic bid) That is 32 teams that legitimately got in the tournament, they earned it, they deserve to be a part of the Thursday/Friday madness that makes this time of year so special.

This brings me to the main issue here, the at large teams and the "play in game". Shouldn't teams that have qualified to make it into the tournament through conference championships be able to at least play a game that is on the first two days of the tournament? Their dream was realized at the moment they won their conference, they will be playing in the NCAA tournament, what you wish for shooting free throws in your driveway, playing knockout on the playground, and watching your idols on TV. But for two of those teams (two that did win a spot to play in the tournament, and are no means an "at-large" team) they will not be playing against a Duke, or a Kansas or, okay I will say it like it is special, Kentucky. For two teams that made the tournament fair and square, where Selection Sunday was a mere formality, they will be playing in the "play in game" on the Tuesday before the tournament.

Now you can say that that game is part of the tournament, and I say to that bull****. It is a much different thing, and much different feel, and in my opinion, unfair. What is the play in game? A way to get 65 teams into the field instead of 64? Or to put it differently, a way to get a higher market team in as a 10 seed and have two of the auto-qualifiers battle it out for their position(a position that is granted through conference triumph). I could go on about this for ages, and in the interest of time and my typing fingers, I will move on to another aspect of the same thing.

Let's have the last two at large teams that were selected by the committee play. Let's have Florida play Missouri, or Florida play Utah St. That way, we can see which of the last at large teams is most deserving to play in the tournament. This way, we can take the teams that have rightfully earned a place among the field that plays Thursday/Friday and allow them that opportunity. It is more than saying that "well this team or that team does not have a chance to win the tournament anyway, so what is the difference?"

The difference is principle and fair play. It is more than whether or not a certain team has a chance to win it all, it is the opportunity of a life time for these kids. It is the opportunity to see a Cinderella make a run to the Sweet 16, a chance for the tournament to be at its best, unpredictable. Don't take away from the accomplishments of a team and have a 65 team field that has a play in game. It is ridiculous and insulting to the teams that have qualified, while at the same time rewarding 1 more team to the field that, in all honesty, has not earned a spot in this tournament.

With all that being said. Let the games begin. I know I can't wait to get this tournament underway, and one more thing. Rock Chalk Jayhawk, Go KU!!!!