The votes are in! The selection committee has done its job, although questionably, and March Madness can begin. Sixty-eight (68) teams are teeing it up, covered by four (4) television networks plus countless newspapers and magazines. March Madness is one of the best sporting events in the world, if not THE best.

What about the teams that didnt make it that appeared qualified in every way? That is, if anyone could completely decipher the qualifications. Players from the University of Colorado, St. Marys College and Virginia Tech cried into their pillows last night, to mention a few.

No matter what system is used, there will always be someone that is upset by that were selections made and not made. That is what makes for a horse race as they would say in any Racebook in Las Vegas. However, there is as close to a perfect solution as possible. Though, what has been proposed, in my opinion, is not take seriously. This solution might even kill more than one bird with the same stone. (Sorry to all the wildlife advocates, it is just a metaphor.)

Here is the solution: put all the Division I teams in the tournament. It would require one more week of play. That would be handled by eliminating the conference tournaments. Which, no sane basketball really wants anyway. It is strictly the college presidents and athletic directors gig.

Those first weeks games could be played regionally so that expenses would be no more than expanses to get to the conference tournament. Besides that, my bet is that a couple more TV networks would love to get involved which would cover the expenses, anyway.

Now for that bird/rock thing: divide the revenue produced for the whole tournament equally amongst all the schools. Eliminate the rich get richer thing that is happening currently. Maybe after, coaches would feel they do not need to cheat to protect their jobs.

Certainly there would be things to work out. For instance, logistics. Put five basketball people in a room for a couple of hours and they would figure it out. The conference tournament thing looks to be the biggest hurdle. Personally I have always thought that the current use of the tournament is a travesty. The winner of the tournament, not the conference champion, gets the automatic bid.

A who team plays 14, 16, 18, etc. conference games and is crowned the conference champion might lose one game in the tournament and therefore, doesnt play in the NCAA. Do I hear the œBells of St. Marys ringing?

With all the first weeks games played regionally and the television coverage they would receive, those events would be supported just as well as the conference tournaments are now.

Playing in any championship event is a special experience for the athlete. That single person competing for their country in the Olympics will cherish the experience for the rest of their life even though they could not come close to winning.

I have been around intercollegiate athletics for 60 years as a player and coach. I am still waiting for someone to make a decision that benefits the student-athlete even though, supposedly, that is our intention.

I do not believe that anyone should get a medal or ribbon for just showing up. I do believe that everyone should be given the opportunity to show up.

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