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Post by gaelman on Apr 5, 2011 8:14:55 GMT -5
UCONN (blech) v. Butler for the whole shebang. Go Bulldogs!!! I also can't stand the fact that that crooked, arrogant program won. I was really rooting hard for Butler (and VCU). That said, part of me is sort of glad the mid-major "impossible dream" is still alive. I will be thrilled when a mid-major finally wins the nc, (hopefully Iona, of course) but I also think us mid-major fans will lose a little something when it happens. It would sort of be like Gilligan finally getting off the island. |
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Post by St. Louis Gael on Apr 5, 2011 10:18:38 GMT -5
Unfortunately, the BCS and NCAA may have gained an ally in their goal to limit access of mid-majors. In a re-scrambling, BCS or CBS is probably not too happy with last night's product or its ratings.
I can see CBS putting pressure on the NCAA to insure that a NC such as last night's does not happen again.
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Post by gaelman on Apr 5, 2011 10:39:05 GMT -5
Unfortunately, the BCS and NCAA may have gained an ally in their goal to limit access of mid-majors. In a re-scrambling, BCS or CBS is probably not too happy with last night's product or its ratings. I can see CBS putting pressure on the NCAA to insure that a NC such as last night's does not happen again. Maybe I am naive, but I kind of doubt that. The tournament ratings through the semi-final were the highest since 2005. I think the NCAA understands that the mid-major cinderellas are a vital component of what make the tournament great and attracts viewers. I think with all the one and done players causing the quality of play and player recognition at the highest levels to decline, the David vs. Goliath angle becomes even more important. I'm sure there will always be efforts to squeeze a few more majors in and mid-majors out, but I don't think things will change dramatically any time soon. I think the eventual split could come if BCS and other power programs decide to split from the NCAA and start paying players (over the table). Of course, this may never happen as I'm sure most of the big programs prefer the cheap labor of the current system. |
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Post by gregcrow on Apr 5, 2011 12:55:08 GMT -5
Good points Gaelman. A couple of things. 1 - The BCS teams will NEVER pay their athletes unless they find a way to get the NBA to fund it. NBA has no incentive to fund it as they have a free minor league system. The ratings in general were better then they have been in years, and in particular the later rounds when the Cinderella stories started to develop. Understand that the NCAA is just like any other business. They are looking for reevnue. In their case ratings = Revenue. If they thought it would mean more ratings they would invite four NEC schools next year if they could.
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