64 to 65 to 96!

No surprise to most, but I'm a huge sports fan. Basketball, baseball, football, NASCAR, volleyball, softball, etc. You name it, I probably have played or watched it sometime or another.

Today I read where the NCAA is talking about increasing the field of 65 tournament teams to 96! My first thought was, yippie! More college basketball! But after reading some comments and doing a little thinking myself, I'm not so sure this is a good idea.

An earlier post I made in reference to the graduation rate of the student athlete with the current tournament teams, I'm not so sure increasing the teams is such a good idea. The graduation rate of the college athlete isn't something you'd write home about.

96 team field would have 30 seeded teams playing 90 seeded teams. Not sure that would be very exciting. Currently the tournament lasts for three weeks. The NCAA is still wanting to keep the same time schedule (so they don't interfere with the Masters golf tournament) but play on Tuesday and Wednesday also. This would create a problem for the student athlete, as they would be out of class for the entire second week of the tournament.

Now we go back to talking about what comes first. The sport or academics. I'm sure the controversy will continue no matter what is decided. I just hope in the end it isn't the money that wins the argument, but those arguing have the student's careers in mind first.

A bit more sports news for those that are still reading. Jim Boeheim of Syracuse was voted college basketball coach of the year with 38 votes of the 65 member media panel. Robert Montgomery Knight was not up for election this year. Had he been, he would have collected all 65 votes himself. At least Gene Keady or John Calipari didn't win either!

In the NIT, the Dayton Flyers defeated the North Carolina Tar Heels 79-68.

Basketball will continue Saturday, with the Final Four teams competing in Indianapolis' Lucas Oil Stadium. Butler Bulldogs are playing the Michigan State Spartans and Duke Blue Devils are against West Virginia.

Hopefully the Dogs are still playing Monday night and are the eventually champions!