NCAA March Madness Selection Committee Misses the Mark, Again

When is the NCAA Tournament selection committee ever going to learn? Don't they realize that it is media darling schools, and the upstart mid major schools that give "March Madness" its charm? How many more time are we going to have to watch the likes of 5th, 6th, 7th, and in some cases 8th place conference finishers from the supposed "power conferences" show up for their undeserving-in-the-first-place-bid with little or no energy for the game get "whacked" in the first round by either a small or mid major conference champ that not only deserves their invite, but relishes in it?

Last year, established college basketball fans were treated to the wonderful story that became tiny George Mason's march to the Final Four. It didn't even matter that that became the end of the road, because as a #11 seed, they dispatched all foes in their path, including pre-tournament favorite Connecticut, to be what the tournament is all about, having the chance to settle who is the best on the floor, regardless of where you play during the regular season. This improbable run even created new fans along the way, with my wife being a perfect example. She has played in the "family and friends" bracket challenge for the past few years, but paid little attention to the games outcomes, but George Mason and the excitement they generated has made a tournament fan out of even her.

Some will argue the point that George Mason isn't even in the tournament this year, so they were a fluke, perhaps, but that is the point, and embodies the spirit of the big dance, in an given year, might that one team rise to the top and do the impossible? Tell the truth, when George Mason reached the Final Four, were you beginning to script that out? I know I was.