The NCAA is a brand and a business just like any other in a down economic period. They are challenged to present the best product because economic factors have increased competition for the best players available. What we are about to witness in the NCAA Tournament is the result of “One and Done” recruiting. The strong survive as the overall product suffers. The brand is in trouble, but what impact will a limited talent pool have on the March Madness competition? It will be mediocre.
Let’s analyze the competition based on their performances this year? The best conference is clearly “The Big East.” The eventual winner of this conference must be considered the inside favorite to win the NCAA Tournament because by far they faced the toughest competition day in day out. The Big East Tournament winner must also be considered highly, but will the tournament take too much out of them to go far in the big dance? We could see as many as 3 teams from this conference in the Final 4.
As for the rest of the NCAA, I see the Big 12 and Kansas having a great chance. The SEC offers Kentucky and a couple of others shots in Vanderbilt and Tennessee. The ACC is extremely thin and weak offering Duke as it’s best chance. The Big Ten is mediocre while the West offers little to absolutely nothing. Cinderella for this years ball may have decided not to even buy a dress?
In short, the limited talent pool is hurting the NCAA brand. The coaches are being denied an opportunity to develop the best and brightest by the call of the NBA. Why play for free risking injury? There’s no loyalty and no real reason for a player to waste his talents as a big name school exploits his talent for nothing. One and Done is killing the game and the brand, but the hype will keep us entertained. Vegas will profit heavily from the talent inequity and absured betting lines. My advice for this tournament is find your favorite libation to enjoy and stick with the talent. Searching for upsets could be just as painful as laying 20 plus on the favorite.
After all the hype, I think Kentucky will find a way to be in the title mix. Kentucky Coach Calipari seems to be the best at exploiting “One and Done.” Will the NCAA do anything about it after this Madness ends? Has the brand been reduced to a speedbump in the way of a lucrative NBA career? Do these talented players need the NCAA or any coach to develop their skills? “One and Done” doesn’t give a coach much time to develop a quality team now does it? Will this sorry product ever make you throw a chair? I just did.
February 28th, 2010 at 3:13 am
The timing on this story is about right, but I was a week too soon. Tennessee defeated Kentucky on short rest, but that won’t happen again. As I see it, the information stands. Syracuse defeated Villanova to win the Big East. Who is going to win their Tournament…Notre Dame? It’s a numbers game now in a down economic time. Having God on your side doesn’t hurt. Touchdown Jesus makes way for the Layup Lord?
March 4th, 2010 at 9:41 am
The latest push we’ve seen from President Obama on health insurance reform isn’t due to the urgency or the finality of this issue. Healthcare will be debated over and over until we get it right and it’s fair for all. This push could be due to the NCAA Basketball Tournament. It’s like a mother telling her son, “You can’t watch television until all your homework is done.” Reconciliation is wrong just like rushing to finish a science project. Obama’s grade on this project will suffer. An incomplete could become a failure. There is nothing final about this process. Something is always better than nothing in politics.
March 14th, 2010 at 3:32 am
Instead of writing an article to rehype the hype of a tournament that needs no hype, I’ll just talk about my “Sleepers.” These teams are playing so great basketball, but they just won’t grab the attention of a top team. Mississippi State, Kansas State, Georgetown, Tennessee, Akron, Ohio, San Diego State, New Mexico State, Ohio State, Notre Dame and Temple. It still looks like the Big East, Big 12, and Kentucky will battle it out for the Title. Mediocre talent makes for great ratings. Biggest tourney in history. CBS can ask any price and cable will pay.
March 15th, 2010 at 9:37 pm
Here’s my “Sleeper” now that the brackets have been determined. Ladies and Gentlemen, my Cinderella and longshot for winning the entire thing is “Louisville.” At 100 to 1 all you’ve got to do is beat a weak California team and Duke. Louisville and Villanova is a toss-up and Kentucky versus Louisville in Indianapolis is a ratings bonanza. Georgetown and Syracuse playing anywhere is as good as it gets. Louisville defeated Syracuse once this year and it could happen again. I said it here first. Pitino wants into the NBA.