Jordan Kobritz - NCAA Tournament Expansion

If you’re one of the millions of people engrossed in watching the NCAA men’s basketball tournament when you should be doing something more productive, you may get an opportunity to be even less productive next year.

The NCAA has an opt-out clause in its 11-year, $6 billion contract with CBS, which must be exercised by July 31 of this year. With three years and approximately $700 million per year remaining on the existing contract, you might think the NCAA would be reluctant to forego a sure thing in this economy. Think again.

As long as ESPN retains its dual revenue model – selling advertising, like the networks do, and reaping a subscriber fee from every cable system in the country, which the networks can’t do – there’s a very good chance there’s more money to be made in a new contract. And the NCAA likes nothing - not even power - more than it likes money. Almost 95% of the governing body’s revenue comes from the men’s basketball tournament. And unlike the BCS boys, who have left tens of millions of dollars on the table by foregoing a football playoff, the NCAA is forever in pursuit of greater riches.

The NCAA has leaked the possibility of an expanded tournament, from 64 teams to 96. A 50% increase in teams means hundreds of additional hours of TV time, and additional opportunities to recoup a higher rights fee. If the expansion happens, it won’t be called what it is – a money-grab. Rather, the NCAA and its new “partner” will trot out someone with the credibility of an Ari Fleischer to make the rounds of the talk shows promoting the move as an opportunity for more teams to make the tournament.

If that’s the goal, then why not allow every team – currently there are 347 Division I basketball programs in the country – in? That’s the ultimate definition of equality. It would give every coach in the country the right to add “NCAA Tournament Appearance” to his resume, although contract bonuses for making the tournament would become problematic.

If the current format is retained – top seeds play the bottom seeds in the first round - few of the additional 32 teams will have even a remote chance of winning a single game. No #16 seed has ever beaten a #1 seed, meaning at least four teams under the current format are guaranteed of playing a one-and-done tournament schedule. If the expansion happens, you can add most of the additional 32 teams to those four. Even if one of those teams is lucky enough to persevere in their first game, don’t hold your breath hoping they’ll win the tournament. In the past 21 years, the lowest seed to win the whole shooting match was #4 seed Arizona in 1997.

And don’t think an expanded tournament will mean more revenue for your favorite team, unless that team – and its conference - is currently successful. The NCAA distributes revenue based on a formula that rewards tournament success over a five-year period. Under an expanded format, successful teams - and conferences - can expect to receive even higher payouts. In other words, the rich will get richer. What a unique concept.

The NCAA’s basic purpose, as set forth in its constitution, is to “…retain a clear line of demarcation between intercollegiate athletics and professional sports.” An expanded basketball tournament is hardly a way to emphasize that point. The NCAA would be mimicking professional sports, which, come to think of it, they’ve been doing a pretty good job of lately. The governing body keeps a tight rein on student-athletes, depriving them of the basic rights afforded the rest of us by the U.S. Constitution. That same policy gives the NCAA and its member institutions the exclusive right to generate billions of dollars off the sweat and labor of undercompensated and underrepresented athletes.

It’s possible the NCAA won’t opt out of its agreement with CBS. Or the network may decide to sweeten the pot and extend the existing contract for an additional term, with or without an expanded tournament. Another option is to split the tournament between CBS and ESPN, or perhaps TBS. Whatever happens, don’t be fooled into believing there’s a democratic reason behind it. Just remember this: It’s all about the money.

Jordan Kobritz is a former attorney, CPA, and owner of the Maine Guides AAA Baseball Club. He is an Assistant Professor of Sport Management at Eastern New Mexico University, teaches the Business of Sports at the University of Wyoming, and is a contributing author to the Business of Sports Network. Jordan can be reached at jkobritz@mindspring.com.

A Matt Spiegel Smorgasbord

Boy do we have a treat for you. 2 count em 2 Matt Spiegel contributions for the price of 1.
First, here is his usual weekly visit to the CMSB.
hmjjh

Then a humorous take on CBS's "One Shining Moment" (he provides the vocals and music)

Matt Spiegel's Weekly Visit!

Join Us for Matt Spiegel's Weekly Visit as we talk NCAA Hoops, Jack Clark...yes THAT Jack Clark and many more fun stuff..right here on the Vortex

NCAA Tournament...Big East Elite Eight Preview

Well, the dream is over. Oklahoma did its best to make sure the Big East wouldn’t own the Final Four. However, there is still the possibility of three out of the four…which is pretty damn impressive. Can the conference continue to dominate? Let’s take a look at the picks.

Last Round: 3-2

Overall: 16-3

(3) Missouri vs. (1) UConn: The Huskies didn’t show signs of being distracted by the recruiting scandal. Jim Calhoun seems to have done a good job in putting a barrier between the allegations and his kids. UConn also continues to roll. Purdue just couldn’t match the physicality. Now it’s a battle of two high-scoring teams. Both squads are averaging over 90 points a game. This will be the toughest test so far for UConn. Expect the Huskies to get more from the perimeter, especially if the school can break the press. This will be a close one, but the Huskies will be too tough.

Prediction: 86-80 UConn

(3) Villanova vs. (1) Pittsburgh: Another game, another escape job by Pitt. However, a win is a win…especially this late in the season. Meanwhile, Nova comes in after destroying Duke (and the free world can once again rest easy). The Wildcats continue to run teams into the ground with straight athleticism. No team is more athletic defensively than Nova…which could be an issue for Pitt. The Panthers need more consistent scoring, which could be difficult against the Cats. DeJaun Blair needs to be a major factor. This means staying out of foul trouble, which could be tough. There is no doubt that Nova will drive at him all night. Pitt can’t afford to get out of the box slowly. If they do, this game will be over by halftime.

Prediction: 75-68 Villanova

(2) Michigan State vs. (1) Louisville: The Cardinals certainly looked like the number one overall seed last night. The Ville dismantled Arizona like a 16-seed. This team is just too deep, too athletic, and too well coached to not be a final four team. The Spartans are a good story. Tom Izzo has an experienced team playing well, at the right time. But MSU just won’t match the Ville’s intensity.

Prediction: 71-58 Louisville

Friday Morning Quick Hitters

The Lewiston MAINEiacs say goodbye for another season in a fan appreciation night at the Lewiston Collisee. Visit the website for details.

The Portland Pirates return to the Civic Center tonight to face the Lowell Devils for a VERY important Atlantic division contest, as the Pirates are only 3 points up on the Devils for the last playoff spot in the division. the Pirates are inducting former owner, the late Tom Ebright into the Portland Pirates Hall of Fame. For those of you that don't remember, there was a gap between the Maine Mariners and the Portland Pirates. Tom brought AHL Hockey back to the state of Maine, and like his predecessors, the Mariners, brought a Calder Cup to Portland in his 1st season. 

Apparently Slugger does not only entertain us all at Hadlock Field throughout the spring and summer, he has gone to meteorological school during the off-season. Go to the newly revamped Portland Sea Dogs site to check it out.

UConn easily gets by Purdue for a trip to the Elite 8.

The TD Banknorth Garden hosted the Sweet 16 last night. There was no Boston Magic for the Henderson family on this night. Gerald Henderson Jr did not steal the ball, nor did he steal the game as Duke lost to 77 - 54 to Villanova. Somewhere Rollie Massamino is smiling.

In the other game in Boston, Pitt used a late 3 pointer to toppled Xavier 60 - 55. Pitt hasn't advance to the Elite 8 since 1974.

NCAA Tournament...Big East Sweet 16 Preview

A good tourney so far for the Big East. The conference has proven that it is the best in the nation by still having five teams in the tourney. It is the first time that a single conference sends five teams to the Sweet 16. Having five team left keeps the possibility open for a complete Big East Final Four. The picks...

Last Round: 6-0
Overall: 13-1

Thursday
(5) Purdue vs. (1) UConn: The Huskies have been the most dominant team in the tourney so far. It helps to be playing with a chip on the ole shoulder. The ailing Jim Calhoun seems to have sold the disrespect card to his boys…and now they are taking it out on anyone who is in the way. Purdue has played well, but won’t handle the physicality that UConn will throw. Expect the Huskies to push the ball inside and take control early.

Prediction: 76-63 UConn

(3) Villanova vs. (2) Duke: It should be one of the better games of the round. Both teams have great guards, sharp shooting, and pretty solid defense. Nova desperately needs to come out strong. Jay Wright can ill-afford to get into a coaching battle. If so, Coach K will bury him in two seconds. The Wildcats will try to insert a more physical game. Duke does have a history of backing down to stronger teams. Once again Dante Cunningham could be the difference. Duke can’t match his game. If it’s close give Duke the advantage. I just don’t see it being close enough.

Prediction: 70-63 Villanova

(4) Xavier vs. (1) Pitt: Coach Miller gets to take on the team that he used to lead on the court. Now they stand between him and back-to-back Elite Eights for his Musketeers. There is no question Pitt has struggled, but maybe the break is what the Panthers needed. Sam Young is also playing at top form, which doesn’t bode well for Xavier. What does bode well for Xavier is the fact that Pitt hasn’t been to the Elite Eight in quite some time. The Panthers always find ways to lose. I’m sticking to my bracket, and going with the Musketeers…tournament experience and better form being the difference.

Prediction: 63-61 Xavier

Friday
(3) Syracuse vs. (2) Oklahoma: Here’s a straight battle for you all. Syracuse will bring the tough zone and athletic transition game. The Orange has been pretty solid so far, though have struggled to finish games out. The Cuse won’t get away with it against a team as solid as Oklahoma. Blake Griffin seems to be back up to form...and the boys have been shooting well from the outside. This will be a close one. Expect Oklahoma to attack the zone with Griffin, then kicking it out for open looks. The Cuse will look to exploit all turnovers and missed shots with the transition game. These two teams will be spent when it’s all over. And when it is finally through, expect the never-say-die Orange to be moving on.

Prediction: 85-80 Syracuse

(12) Arizona vs. (1) Louisville: The Cardinals were a tad lucky to escape the second round. Now Louisville takes on an Arizona team that is much better than the 12-seed it has. Each squad has numerous NBA prospects and fine role-players. The difference may simply be that the Cardinals have more. Louisville doesn’t normally blow teams out. Instead, the Cards slowly dismantle the opponent with great defense and colossal depth. The Wildcats are on a nice run, but the finish line will not be reached. Too much depth for Louisville.

Prediction: 71-58 Louisville

Boring...Are You Kidding Me?

This tournament has been boring…seriously? People actually think the NCAA Tournament has been boring? Have you all gone mad? Did you see Pitt battle a 16-seed for 38 minutes? Did you watch Memphis and Villanova struggle to make it to the second round? How about the Ohio State-Sienna double-overtime game? Followed by Sienna nearly taking Louisville down? Did you witness Gonzaga, Oklahoma State and Missouri all scoring with just seconds to go for victories? Do you get the point yet?

How on Earth can a tournament with drama in nearly every game be boring? There was considerable drama 33 of the 48 games so far, but since all the one and two seeds are left this tourney must be boring. A school named Cleveland State knocked out the former number one team in the land…but since there are no “Cinderella’s” in the Sweet 16 this tourney must be boring. Yeah…right.

I was utterly disgusted Monday morning when I got online and noticed all of the articles bashing the Tourney. I never realized so many so-called “experts” don’t watch a lick of basketball. If they did, they certainly wouldn’t call this a dull tournament. There has been more drama in the first four days than there will be in the entire NBA playoffs. The first two rounds gave us more memorable moments than the College Bowl season. And let’s not forget there is six more days of lunacy to go.

I understand that people want to see the underdog prevail. It’s fun to cheer for the random Kent State rolling to the Elite Eight. But we also love to see the best basketball teams take on the best possible competition. I’m sorry but the Kent State’s, Davidson’s and George Mason’s of the world are not those teams. They may make a solid run, but they are not pound-for-pound the best squads.

Underdogs also give us great storylines as well. So what! Look at these potential storylines that could blow you away. First, there’s the possibility of having four Big East Teams in the Final Four. We could have a Duke/UNC rematch. Rivals Louisville and Memphis could play an epic. Could Gonzaga finally reach a Final Four? A Syracuse/UConn final? Hey the last time those teams played, they rolled six OT’s! I could go on for another ten pages.

I don’t want to hear that the Tourney is boring. There are plenty of great teams left…there have been plenty of great memories…there has been and will continue to be great drama…and without question, there will be some great storylines.

If you have been watching the games, you would see why too.

NCAA Tournament...Big East Games Second Round Preview

It was a solid opening round for the Big East, losing just one team (West Virginia) out of the seven. However, there was plenty of drama, including Pitt nearly losing to a 16-seed. And more drama should be on the way with some great second round tilts. Picks, picks, and more picks…

First Round: 6-1

Overall: 6-1

Saturday

(6) UCLA vs. (3) Villanova: Each team was in a dogfight in the first round…now which still has the legs to get the upper hand? It will be a battle of guards, and outside shooting early, as both squads look to set the tempo. Look for Dante Cunningham to take control of this game in the second half, as Nova pulls away with better ball movement, and more assertiveness. Don’t forget…it’s also a “home game” or Nova.

Prediction: 70-64 Villanova

(9) Texas A+M vs. (1) UConn: The Huskies seemed to be okay even with Jim Calhoun watching the game from the hospital. UConn treated a 16^th seed like it should. Meanwhile, the Aggies controlled BYU for 40 straight minutes, making the win look easy. Now for the tough task….trying to slow the Huskies down. A+M doesn’t have the size and strength to cut UConn down low…and just aren’t a strong enough team for the outside. Expect UConn to pull breeze in the second half.

Prediction: 78-65 UConn

Sunday

(6) Arizona State vs. (3) Syracuse: The Sundevils are in for a rude awakening. Syracuse is one of the hottest teams in America and didn’t break a sweat in the first round. ASU has to find a way to slow the Orange down or the Devils will be run out of the gym. Motion vs. a 2-3 zone is always fun to watch, and it could help ASU control the tempo. However, too many missed shots will turn the Orange loose.

Prediction: 81-75 Syracuse

(8) Oklahoma State vs. (1) Pittsburgh: Will nearly losing to a 16-seed be the best or worst thing to happen to Pitt? Will they come out with fire and raw emotion…and absolutely blast the Cowboys away? Or will they be flat and complacent…and have to dig deep to get out of the second round? Take the former on this one. Pitt will had its scare, and now it’s back to playing top-notch.

Prediction: 74-66 Pitt

(6) Marquette vs. (3) Missouri: The Eagles should be happy just to be in the second round, after nearly giving it away to Utah Sate. And now a battle with Mizzou sands in the way of a Sweet-16 birth. The Tigers handled Cornell well and should do the same with a Dominic James-less Marquette squad. The point guard will be missed, a the Eagles won’t be able to answer a Missouri run.

Prediction: 75-65 Missouri

(9) Sienna vs. (1) Louisville: Sienna will have some tired legs after a double-overtime thriller against Ohio State. That doesn’t bode well when the next opponent is solid and extremely deep. The Cardinals full-court press, inside-outside game, and adequate bench will be too much for the young Saints.

Prediction: 78-59 Louisville

Gus is back baby!

March Madness aint @#$% without Gus Johnson

Gary Rima Northern Iowa Panthers Basketball Play by Play Voice

Don't miss Gary Rima, he is a fantastic guy and a great play by play voice! We hooked up with Gary when the Black Bears played UNI in the FCS Playoffs. Gary is also the voice of Panther Football. Northern Iowa is making it 5th trip to the NCAA's and while they have mostly been ousted in the 1st Round, they have not been boring games!

Gary Rima UNI Panthers Basketball Play by Play Voice talking NCAA Tournament

Thursday Morning Quick Hitters

The Philadelphia Phillies topped off a great season with a World Series Championship, their 1st since 1980 and the cities 1st since 1983. Geoff Jenkins started the Phillies 6th inning off with a double and Jason Werth singled him home with the Phillies taking a 3 - 2 lead. Rocco Baldelli tied the game with a great HR off Ryan Madson in the Top of the 7th. The Phillies came right back in their half of the 7th with Pat Burrell blasting a double and Pedro Feliz singled him home for the winning run. JC Romero and Brad Lidge closed it out for the 2008 World Series Championship.








Greg Oden is out for 3 to 4 weeks with an ankle strain.









North Carolina tops the ESPN/USA Today poll. Here are the top 10 teams

1. North Carolina 6. Pitt
2. Connecticut 7. Michigan State
3. Louisville 8. Texas
4. UCLA 9. Notre Dame
5. Duke 10. Perdue