Sweet 16

First two rounds in the books. Happy with the outcomes?
As I said on the show, we might not have a true Cinderella (although Arizona in my book counts) but we had some really competitive games top to bottom in the first few rounds.
Near upsets of #1 and #2 seeds, some other 5-12 upsets as well. I was most impressed with the small conference and mid major teams competing at such a high level as the top-tier talent teams in the NCAA. Great showings by North Dakota State (Summit League), Cal State Northridge (Big West), Siena (MAAC), East Tennessee State (Atlantic Sun) and Cleveland State (Horizon League). While not all these teams pulled off upsets, they certainly proved not only they belong in the NCAA tournament but that the talent level has shifted from major programs to smaller schools across the country.
Regional TV coverage, internet and radio have helped some small time programs get big time exposure, lending themselves as a better option to a blue-chip recruit who might want to stay closer to home and play college hoops or dare I say make a school selection based on academic programs?
Love the tourney, love the way it's evolving into a showcase for smaller programs to get a little national love. While major TV networks will still on focus on the Big East, Big 10, ACC and PAC 10, it's nice to see some fresh faces come March.

March Madness...We Love the Underdog

I love me some March Madness (apologies for taking T.O's line and twisting it), but that's the truth. The one time a year when we take the 64 best teams in college basketball, throw them into a bracket and let them play it out.
I love me some underdogs too. I know other may disagree (like ESPN 1230's own Colin Cowherd who had a great show this morning on why underdogs are just that, dogs). While I see his point that underdogs rarely make any real noise in the tourney, it's like anything else, the possibility has us hooked.
I know a #16 seed has never beat a #1, I know that 96 % of the time the 2 beats the 15 seed but at least we have hope right? One day a #16 will beat a #1, will that be this season, no it won't. But it's a proven fact that college sports are being influenced by expanded television and internet coverage, so much so that some top-level talent are choosing smaller "mid-major" schools because they get plenty of exposure and in some cases a better education.
The parody in college basketball this season has been profound. I can't look at any of the potential #1 seeds and say "they're going all the way." And while I can't say that a #14 seed out of a mid-major will make the Final Four either, I could see that happening sometime in the near future.
To undermine the underdog is to undermine the entire tournament. We might as well just have a computer spit out the top-two teams and let them play for the title...oh yeah, that's been done. And all those detractors are calling for a tournament!
America loves the underdog, heck we are underdogs, founded by them, built by them, and re built by them. Let's appreciate the Chattanooga's, the Siena's and the rest of the little guys in the tourney...for one day the meek shall inherit the Earth.

Runners End Season, 8-21 Again

CSUB Men's basketball ended the season with a 78-73 loss Tuesday night to Cal State Fullerton despite another strong second half effort. The Runners trailed by as many as 18 before climbing back to pull within four in the final minute before the Titans netted some free throws down the stretch to seal the win.
Bakersfield's seniors Terrance Johns and Donald Lee had solid nights in their final games with CSUB, John's scoring 16 and Lee 11 to help the Runners comeback effort.
CSUB finished 8-21 this season, the identical record to last season for CSUB despite a tougher schedule. It was another tough year for CSUB, lots of travel, another season as an Independent, only 12 home games compared the 17 on the road. The efforts this season were much better than last, near upsets at Oregon State, Pacific and St Mary's come to mind. Despite the lack of "marquee" wins for CSUB this season (Fresno State, San Diego coming to mind last year). The Runners overall were better, and sweeping teams like Utah Valley who had their number last season and old rivals like Cal Poly San Luis Obispo prove this CSUB team is well on their way.
Add in a nice crop of recruits including Stephon Carter and redshirt freshman James Albright with returners like Alex Johnson, Donovan Bragg, Trent Blakely and Santwon Latunde and CSUB has the makings of a 15 win team next year despite an even tougher schedule.
Look for CSUB to be better, look for games against UCLA and Gonzaga to be true tests of this program's development. I think you'll like what you see in 2009-2010. Keep the support, keep the faith, we're on our way.