BEYOND THE ARC: ANOTHER MARCH BRACKET?

by Noce, Chicago Bull

When it comes to Men's College Basketball, the phrase "less is more" doesn't apply, especially during the month of March. ESPN has reported that The Gazelle Group, which promotes many preseason NCAA tournaments, has introduced plans for a March tournament that will compete with the National Invitation Tournament for teams who weren't invited into the NCAA Tournament.

This virtually assures all 113 Division I teams a spot in some form of playoff, and it gives fans one more bracket to fill out. Personally, I know I'll be on pins and needles when I have to pick that first round matchup between Bethune-Cookman and Stetson in those awful (5) vs. (12) games.

Many of us will never pay a single shred of attention to this tournament, at least not unless a kid with epilepsy drains five straight three-pointers in the final five posessions to win the game, but it is going to be interesting to see how the NIT reacts to some competition for the chance to mop up college basketball's B-teams.

Big East commisioner Michael Tranghese put it best about the possiblity for this tournaments success when talking about how the teams "are free to go and play in any event. I just don't know if there's a market for a third tournament, but this is the land of opportunity."

I'm holding you to that "land of opportunity" claim Tranghese - I just don't think you totally thought that one through before you opened your mouth and started talking.

Is it me or has College Hoops turned into the 4th grade? If I have to hear someone else say that every team should deserve to play in a postseason tournament because 'it's for the good of the game' I'm going to punch a baby. This is about money, and if you don't think it is you're a Communist.

On that note I'd like to formally announce I will be creating a 4th Men's College Basketball Division I Tournament that will be called 'March Sadness' for the teams that weren't selected by either of the three others. The tournament will be held on consecutive Saturdays beginning on March 1st and will take place on the half-court parking lot behind my apartment building. I'm currently trying to line up Comcast to televise the games, which will end when the first team scores 21 points and is up by at least 2 points, but I may have to settle for Versus.

Anybody know how to get in touch with Dennis Rodman's people? I scoured all the drag bars in Chicago, but all I found was Stephon Marbury.