Posted on 11/28/2005 3:52:48 PM PST by LisaMalia
Early Tourneys Over the BCS?
The good folks at ESPN have taken this past week and labeled it for all us college basketball fans. "Feast Week" is not only a take on our most gluttonous holiday, but it's also the first opportunity of the hoops season to handle a massive amount of rainbow shots, floor burns, and alley oops. While some of these games are scheduled beforehand, most of the interesting contests at this time happen in those delightful little "preseason" tournaments.
From the heart of New York to the sands of Maui, universities send their most prolific hoopsters to those wonderful competitions where squads can gauge their abilities heading into the meat of their seasons. And hey, what's wrong with taking in the scenery of the Big Apple or an Alaskan Glacier?
I know that this is football season, and everybody's pumped up for the BCS. However, as blasphemous as it may sound, I think I prefer these small hoops gatherings to the late-season pigskin craze. Now, in my mind, March Madness has the BCS beat, hands-down. But there just seems to be more potential for excitement and hope right now, when sneakers squeak for the first time in months.
Maybe that's why I'm enjoying this week so much, despite my lack of watching many games due to my early morning schedule. So, why the lack of postseason love, you ask? I'll try to open your minds.
I will admit that several football games have made the 2005 season very interesting lately. Fresno State/USC was a classic shootout. Miami, with that new division title in hand, was bogged down at the wrong time by Georgia Tech. Heck, even LSU had a tough time hanging on against Arkansas on Friday.
Then again, could these games top Duke's nail-biter against Memphis in the NIT finals? How about LaMarcus Aldridge saving Texas from an early season loss against West Virginia at the Guardians Classic? Don't forget about the runs of Gonzaga and Michigan State in Maui, including their 109-106 triple-overtime meeting in the semis.
They all ended up to be just one win or loss in columns that will add up to 25 or 30 games as the season ends, but these losses don't sting right now. Perhaps the best news from these matchups, though, is that we may very well see them again come March, when everything will be on the line.
That's a problem with the BCS. With the bowls running who comes into their stadium after the New Year, you aren't as likely to see some of the better games replayed in the postseason. A Texas/Ohio State rematch seems pretty impossible right now. How about USC and Notre Dame hooking up again? I wouldn't waste your wishes. That's the beauty of these tourneys. The billing of a national championship preview could be a true statement.
At the moment, you might be thinking, "How crazy is he? Early basketball against the BCS race? Haven't the white coat guys come in and strapped him up, yet? Every single game in the college football season matters, especially right now."
Sure, I hear ya, but I ain't buying the argument. True, the basketball regular season holds the attention less than football's equivalent. But don't give me the line that "every game matters." Tell me, how big was that Tennessee/Kentucky battle? Then there's this year's Egg Bowl, where Ole Miss and Mississippi State had one SEC win between them going into the game. Even the normally important Nebraska/Colorado tilt might have sealed up spots in the Houston and Champs Sports Bowls.
Even in an early basketball tournament, mediocre teams get to place themselves in a situation where they play over a consecutive number of days. It's an opportunity to see flaws and strengths against different styles of play. Michigan State may be 2-2 after leaving Hawaii, but you have to believe that those two losses will help them more than any early loss would benefit USC's football squad.
Now, I will admit that there are a lot of those illegitimate school tournaments. You know, the ones where one big-time program invites three schools from the MEAC, Southland, and Big Sky Conferences (or the like). Those piddly excuses for games should basically go the way of the former August football games.
However, give teams a chance to go up against strong competition, and they can find out more about their capabilities. Who knows, maybe they could turn a few heads, just like Florida did in the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic.
But overall, these tournaments let players determine their championships by ... well, playing. The politicking and headaches of the current bowling system can bring an annoying feeling to the month of November. So, isn't it nice to see someone enjoy playing a game for once?
Sure, you can take the preceding sentiments as those of a basketball nut. But I tell you, I wouldn't mind taking an island vacation right about now? You?
Err I meant " In Division I-AA they have a playoff system"
What kid in their right mind would want to go to Blacksberg, VA. Guess what is next to it? Nothing.
Same with State College for Penn State.
Nebraska, Iowa, Minesotta, Idaho, Missery, etc.
Don't know about anyone: 1. Warm comes to mind. 2. Education does too.
They showed it on ESPN on Saturday.
that's why I like the 16 game tourney...all 11 D-1As get in with 5 at large bids.
I would agree with you, but me agreeing won't change anything....
I would love the Big Ten to pick up Notre Dame so it could have a CCG....
BTW, take Colorado and the points this Saturday..
I'm talking about through the season and into the playoffs. What was on ESPN was the championship game.
Texas was nearly beaten by the team with the worst defense in the NCAA Division I on Friday. Vince Young lost the Heisman with his crummy performance.
I expect a great game in the Rose Bowl with the outcome uncertain. But USC will be favored to win.
Any assertions that Texas will blow out USC are just trash talk.
In some cases, you are eliminated BEFORE the season starts. Look at Auburn last year. In what week did they eliminate themselves?
Never asserted that, but somebody asserted that USC would blow out Texas. Not going to happen, Texas isnt like last years Oklahoma.
Notre Dame and Fresno didn't exploit USC's defense?
They said it was a playoff game.
they did somewhat, but they didn't win, so obviously they didn't either exploit it enough or USC adjusted and stopped them......
You have no way of knowing that for sure. By the way, in my opinion, USC's strength of schedule is not that impressive.
UCS is a media darling, as is Miami. The BCS is all about media darlings. Example: Notre Dame. Watch for them to get a BCS bowl game.
It makes no sense.
There was also some bad oficiating and some penalties, like clipping and the push play that wasnt called.
that happens.....until the officiating of the NCAA is off the "buddy system", the officiating will continue to suck.
I like your idea for a 16 team tourney, but I think it should be the eight best conferences from the previous year and eight at large teams. I don't think that the WAC and, yes, the Big East should automattically get a bid just because they exist. The other eight would be at large teams.
Exactly. Like I said, the BCS is all about garnering the most TV ratings and ad revenue nationally.
Bingo. It's funny how more and more conferences are setting up a playoff to determine their league champion. And we can't have a national championship playoff, why again?
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