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.