Mike Slive's picture is probably on the dartboard of every team from a mid-major conference today. The Southeastern Conference commissioner and chairman of the NCAA selection committee watched over a process that saw only four teams from non-Bowl Championship Series conferences earn at-large bids to the tournament.
Since non-power conference teams received 12 at-large bids in 2004, the number has dropped four of the past five years to this year’s total of four, the lowest this decade.
"It’s embarrassing. Beyond embarrassing," writes Jon Wilner of the San Jose Mercury News, who says Slive's term as chairman can't end soon enough.
Mid-majors are often the main reason to watch early rounds of the tournament. Chuck Carlton of the Dallas Morning News writes: "Before Mario Chalmers' big shot for Kansas last season, the highlight of the NCAA tournament was Stephen Curry almost getting Davidson to the Final Four.
"Think back. Bryce Drew? Mid-major. Bucknell over Kansas? Mid-major. George Mason? Mid-major."
Yes, it's the old boy's club with the keys to the country club, refusing to schedule road games against non-BCS opponents and playing only amongst themselves to keep out the undesirables. The system is rigged.
"Think back. Bryce Drew? Mid-major. Bucknell over Kansas? Mid-major. George Mason? Mid-major."
Three teams that won their conference tournament to get into the NCAA Tournament. What's changed?
Posted by: Sean | March 18, 2009 at 08:13 AM