The North Carolina Tar Heels steamrolled their way to the national championship this year. The only scare, if you can even call it that, was a second round game with Louisiana State University. They won that game by nearly twenty. The Tar Heels were the preseason favorites to capture the trophy, and were the third overall number one seed in the tournament. But once the game Monday night ended with North Carolina dominating Michigan State University many analysts, commentators and fans were supplementing their praise for the team with talk of how disappointing the game and then tournament was.Now I seriously doubt there are that many MSU fans out there (I can understand their disinterest), so why were so many people disappointed? Sure the game was not one for the ages, won with a layup by Ty Lawson as the time expired. But why does it have to be one of the greatest games of all time for you to be happy with the experience?
North Carolina went to Detroit and put on a clinic, for the second time this year mind you. They played a near flawless game and reminded the world why, when earlier this year they beat MSU by 35 points, people predicted they would finish the year undefeated. The dominant performance was a showing of how the game is to be played both offensively and defensively.
However if you are a casual observer of the game and filled your bracket out in the dark, then your opinion on the game and ultimately tournament do not count and I don't want to hear from you. You obviously would not have seen and then understood UNCs mastery during the game.
Now those of you who consider yourself fans yet had no rooting interest in either team, shut up as well. Your opinion is a little more valuable, but come on. Even if you weren't a fan of either team watching Ty Lawson set an all time record for steals in a final four game or see UNC put up a record number of points (55) in the first half is boring? Get out here.Overall the tournament was what it was supposed to be and the winner was who it was supposed to be. Sure George Mason was a good story a few years ago, but to claim March was a disappointment because there was no Mason is ludicrous. An unheralded team does not have to be in the mix to enhance the game play. To reference the Cinderella term thrown out every year, let me remind you Cinderella was fine as hell. But guess what? She was merely one of many at the ball that night. The Prince, luckily for Cinderella, was just a picky snob.
Every team is there for a reason and if the 'big boys' whip up on the 'little guys' it's because they are superior team and that is how it is supposed to be. If you need a Cinderella to enjoy March Madness then I surely hope you will be rooting for the Kansas City Royals this summer or come NFL draft time you are on your knees praying for the Detroit Lions to nab a godsend with the number one pick. I mean wouldn't they be Cinderellas as well? CLEARLY fine as hell.
4 comments:
I respectfully, but strongly disagree. This year's tournament was terrible by March Madness standards. As unfortunate as it may sound, regardless of the validity of their opinions, casual fan interest is the bench mark for success in any sporting event. And as far as tournaments go, in 09, had I not been a huge fane of college basketball, I would have found few games worth watching.
Now there were plenty of close games, a few last second shots, but in all a very stale, predictable tournament. Aside from Mizzou advancing to the Elite 8, and Michigan State reaching the Final 4, there was nothing compelling about this year's tournament.
As far as the championship game goes, NC put on a performance for the ages, but it is hardly compelling to watch one team dominate another so thoroughly in what's supposed to be the matchup of the 2 best teams in the country. It's simply not fun to watch teams play an opponent that is no match for them, otherwise, i would charge admission to watch me play 10 yr olds in 1 on 1.
The fact is, the whole tournament was rife with blowouts and because there was no cinderella, the tournament got old. The reason people love cinderellas is because it legitamizes the drama, the pageantry, and the attention we devote to the tournament every year.
Exmaple....last year, all 4 number one seeds made it to the tournament...but the first round was full of not relative, but huge upsets....w last second shots...i.e.West Kent....The second round saw several powerhouses bow out....like Duke...and Steph Curry, killed and took a mid major Davidson to the elite 8.....This was all compelling, not to mention an amazing championship game between Kansas and Memphis
I loved the tournament this year only because I love basketball....but to a casual fan...this tournament was just a long drawn out series of 64 teams playing each other w very few surprising outcomes, and little or no compelling stories. We put a lot of time into watching these games, and other than UNC's domination and Izzo's great coaching,...we came away with very little....it's ok to be disappointed with that.
Where you are coming is understandable but the bench mark for success lies in the casual fan? Are you speaking as a fan here or as the President of CBS? Monetarily speaking I completely agree the casual fan is the bench mark, because without the casual fan stadiums across the country would not be able sell out.
If the casual fan was who the tournament was intended for then seedings should just be ditched and the fans should text in match up the would like to see most.
The tournament is for the fans, those who understand that the NCAA is seeking a champion, not a story. If this years gameplay did not satisfy you that's one thing. But claiming this tournament is for the casual fan is absurd.
I just have to say that I came in 1st of out 21,262 people at ncaa.com with my bracket.
I rock.
BUSE congratulates you Amanda, especially after the publication of my personal bracket.
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