Marching Forward

Here we go!  We are set to embark on what I consider the best 4 week stretch in sports.  The NCAA Tournament followed by the start of the Major League Baseball Season with The Masters as the cherry on top.  I do have to say that 99% percent of the time I am in full support of changing things in sports for the better.  From instant replay to more bowl games to the cracking down on helmet to helmet hits, change is usually not only for the best, it is necessary for the improvement and growth of a sport. 

This year the NCAA Tournament expanded to 68 teams.   It hasn't gone over well and its hasn't made the tournament better.  The addition of 3 more teams to the NCAA tournament is only going to work if they consist of only small conference teams playing for the 16 seeds.  If all 4 play in games were for the 16 seeds then this may fly.  If they feed major conference schools into 11 and 12 seeds it just won't work.  If the mid major schools get upset that they are constantly being ushered into play in games then they are just going to have to get over it.  The still have a shot to win a National Title.   For everyone that loves upsets it will help you out as well.  15 seeds will now be play in teams.  14's will become 15's and so on and so on.  Better teams will be lower seeds which means better games.  




Alright smart guy...who did Valpo beat to go the Sweet 16?



The NCAA tournament works because it gives everybody everything they want.  The little guy gets to play the big guy.  And this gets everyone all warm and fuzzy inside because everyone remembers major upsets.  We remember Bryce's Drew's shot against Ole Miss.  We loved when Hampton stunned Iowa St.   But we rarely remember who ends Cinderella's trip to the ball.  Who beat Valpo in 1998?  You remember the #15 seeds that have shocked the world and who they beat.  Santa Clara over Zona,  Coppin St. over South Carolina and Richmond over Syracuse just to name a few.  But quickly tell me who beat those teams in the 2nd round?  You can't do it unless you are a fan other either team.  As sports fans we love games and stars but what we love more than anything else are moments. The start of the NCAA tournament gives us 48 games in 4 days. You are bound to get a moment or two each and every year. 

The exception....not the rule

The first weekend belongs to the small guys and after that the grown ups take over.  The Dukes, UNCs, Kansases are expected to win the first weekend.  The upsets steal the show.  They serve as the appetizer for the next two weekend's main course.  Everybody plays and everybody wins.  The big misnomer is that there are a ton of upsets in the tournament.  We just remember them more.  You don't remember the #3 seeds that beat the #14 seeds.  It happens over 90% of the time.  On any given year of the 32 first round games 6 or 7 will be upsets.   That means that the favorite wins almost 80% of the time.   Does that sound like a ton of upsets? 

Now don't get me wrong I enjoy the occasional shocker every now and then.  It makes for a great story and memory.  But when we get right down to it I'd rather watch Duke, Ohio St., Kansas and Pitt in the Final Four.   Sports are at their best when the best teams and athletes play one another. Ali-Frazier, Cowboys-Steelers, Alabama-Texas,  and so on. 

So as you fill out your bracket (singular).... If you fill out more than one these to cover your bases you are a wuss.  No where else in life do you get two chances at the same time.  Could you imagine a hitter telling an umpire.."I meant to swing let's do that one over?" So some advice for you as you fill this thing out. If you want to win pick the better seeds.  If you want to have bragging rights for eternity...go out on a limb and pick at least a one #15 seed to win.  If not go ahead and pick a #16 to beat a #1.  You will more than likely be wrong.  But you will be the talk of your circle of friends.  And if you are right!  Welcome to sports immortality! If you are wrong you will be made of fun of.  As well you should.  But one day it will happen and when it does you'll wish you took my advice.