Showing posts with label bubble teams. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bubble teams. Show all posts
Friday, February 22, 2013
College Basketball Crunch Time
As the landscape in Iowa turned white overnight (yes, snow), let’s turn to something more positive: March Madness.
The regular season is quickly coming to an end. Some conferences hold their league tournament in early March and others wait about a week. Regardless of the dates, this is the time for all teams to make a move.
Some teams can handle the pressure, some cannot. For the NCAA bubble teams you either make your case now or stay home for NCAA tournament time.
Teams struggling need to turn it around. Each game is one game closer to either a good streak or a bad streak. Teams can make remarkable runs at this juncture or tank and finish with a bad taste.
One area the NCAA selection committee examines is the finish to a particular team’s season. Bubble teams that put together wins will receive utmost consideration. If you don’t win, the team puts itself on the mercy of the committee. And that’s a dangerous way to live.
Monday, March 5, 2012
March Madness 2012 Style
This week, March Madness moves into full swing. Yes, there were a few conference tournaments last week but the majority is this week. If you cannot get your fill of college basketball, you aren’t trying hard enough.
For most teams the conference tournaments are tune-ups for the NCAA tournament. But you rather not lay an egg in the first league game. You want to build positive momentum in March not the negative kind. Teams struggling in March usually cannot just turn it on in the NCAA tournament.
Of course, there are bubble teams sweating the league tournaments. Bubble teams really want to become hot in conference tournaments and they want no upsets. For example, if a team with a losing record wins the league tournament, that school may force a bubble team to the NCAA sidelines.
Except blow-out games, close ones and buzzer-beaters this week. This is like salad before the main course (NCAA tournament) next week.
Some teams will cry foul. But it is literally the way the ball bounces this time of year. That’s why it is called March Madness.
For most teams the conference tournaments are tune-ups for the NCAA tournament. But you rather not lay an egg in the first league game. You want to build positive momentum in March not the negative kind. Teams struggling in March usually cannot just turn it on in the NCAA tournament.
Of course, there are bubble teams sweating the league tournaments. Bubble teams really want to become hot in conference tournaments and they want no upsets. For example, if a team with a losing record wins the league tournament, that school may force a bubble team to the NCAA sidelines.
Except blow-out games, close ones and buzzer-beaters this week. This is like salad before the main course (NCAA tournament) next week.
Some teams will cry foul. But it is literally the way the ball bounces this time of year. That’s why it is called March Madness.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Bubbles, Bubbles and More Bubbles
And you thought the political season was taking a rest.
Not so. The bids for 68 NCAA men’s basketball tournaments slots are available.
This is political. That’s why if you haven’t heard of the term “bubble” and you are anyway connected with college basketball, you have really been outside the United States.
For my foreign readers, the team “bubble” refers to teams hoping to land a spot in the NCAA tournament. Frankly, they are at the mercy of the NCAA selection committee.
The national sports press daily updates fans with teams squarely on the bubble, those beyond the bubble (expected to get in the tournament) and those off the bubble. It creates fan interest but also high anxiety for the bubble teams.
Bubble teams are usually ones who has an average or above average conference record. They also have respectable overall marks with some quality wins and some bad losses.
With the NCAA tournament only a couple weeks away, you listen to lots of campaign speeches. You will hear conference coaches praising other teams in hopes their league will get more teams in the tournament or “Big Dance” as it’s called. Conference commissioners will provide a similar speech. I even heard a couple conference announcers tell their world how wonderful a few of their teams were. I thought to myself…please.
But the bottom line is if teams take care of business on the court, they will impress the selection committee and earn a bid.
Unfortunately, we will continue to hear about the bubble until we are bubbled out.
Not so. The bids for 68 NCAA men’s basketball tournaments slots are available.
This is political. That’s why if you haven’t heard of the term “bubble” and you are anyway connected with college basketball, you have really been outside the United States.
For my foreign readers, the team “bubble” refers to teams hoping to land a spot in the NCAA tournament. Frankly, they are at the mercy of the NCAA selection committee.
The national sports press daily updates fans with teams squarely on the bubble, those beyond the bubble (expected to get in the tournament) and those off the bubble. It creates fan interest but also high anxiety for the bubble teams.
Bubble teams are usually ones who has an average or above average conference record. They also have respectable overall marks with some quality wins and some bad losses.
With the NCAA tournament only a couple weeks away, you listen to lots of campaign speeches. You will hear conference coaches praising other teams in hopes their league will get more teams in the tournament or “Big Dance” as it’s called. Conference commissioners will provide a similar speech. I even heard a couple conference announcers tell their world how wonderful a few of their teams were. I thought to myself…please.
But the bottom line is if teams take care of business on the court, they will impress the selection committee and earn a bid.
Unfortunately, we will continue to hear about the bubble until we are bubbled out.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Pass the Antacids Please
College basketball bubble teams are on high anxiety alert this week.
With most of the conference tournaments being played in the next several days, bubble teams are about ready to learn their fate.
Bubble teams face a three-way anxiety attack.
First, they must play well in their own conference tournament to impress the selection committee. This is no time to leave your A-game back at the familar university gym. The teams could play tight because of the stakes, but they need to play loose. Oh, the anxiety.
Second, bubble teams desire a lack of conference upsets. They are cheering for the favorites not the underdogs. They want to avoid that 12-21 team that has a three-point shooter that goes wild in the tournament and carries it to victory. Oh, the anxiety. This one is out of the bubbles teams' control.
Then if the bubble teams pass their first two anxiety tests, the big one is still coming. It's called Selection Sunday. Bubble teams want to hear their name pop up on that selection board early. Waiting for that last group (or region) is extremely stressful.
So if you are a fan of a bubble team, I wish you well. Just be sure to keep those antacids near for the potential bumpy ride.
Do you have experience using antacids this time of the year?
With most of the conference tournaments being played in the next several days, bubble teams are about ready to learn their fate.
Bubble teams face a three-way anxiety attack.
First, they must play well in their own conference tournament to impress the selection committee. This is no time to leave your A-game back at the familar university gym. The teams could play tight because of the stakes, but they need to play loose. Oh, the anxiety.
Second, bubble teams desire a lack of conference upsets. They are cheering for the favorites not the underdogs. They want to avoid that 12-21 team that has a three-point shooter that goes wild in the tournament and carries it to victory. Oh, the anxiety. This one is out of the bubbles teams' control.
Then if the bubble teams pass their first two anxiety tests, the big one is still coming. It's called Selection Sunday. Bubble teams want to hear their name pop up on that selection board early. Waiting for that last group (or region) is extremely stressful.
So if you are a fan of a bubble team, I wish you well. Just be sure to keep those antacids near for the potential bumpy ride.
Do you have experience using antacids this time of the year?
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Expanding the NCAA Basketball Tournament
Apparently, there are college coaches wanting to push the NCAA men's basketball tournament to 96 teams. My response to that is bad, bad, bad idea.
The NCAA tournament is one of the best in sports. Selection Sunday is a big deal. Do the bubble teams make it or fall off? Cinderellas eagerly await their first opposition.
If it's not broken why fix it?
Expanding the field will hurt interest. Marginal teams will get bids. Bubble teams will have poorer records. Student athletes will play more games. Student athletes will miss more classes. The season will get longer including the tournament.
I get it why coaches and schools want the expansion. Frankly, the tournament is job security for coaches. The tournament (in or out) is how many coaches are judged these days. Plus, coaches may receive additional money for appearances and advancing in the tournament. Schools receive great exposure for tournament appearances. It's a wonderful marketing tool.
People say that there will be expanding TV revenue as well. But at what point will the buyer reach that risk-and-reward theme and choose the risk one?
I am still waiting for the day when a No. 16 seed beats a No. 1. It has yet to happen in the 64-team field despite a few close calls. That scene might be in more serious doubt if the field expands.
What do you think about tournament expansion?
The NCAA tournament is one of the best in sports. Selection Sunday is a big deal. Do the bubble teams make it or fall off? Cinderellas eagerly await their first opposition.
If it's not broken why fix it?
Expanding the field will hurt interest. Marginal teams will get bids. Bubble teams will have poorer records. Student athletes will play more games. Student athletes will miss more classes. The season will get longer including the tournament.
I get it why coaches and schools want the expansion. Frankly, the tournament is job security for coaches. The tournament (in or out) is how many coaches are judged these days. Plus, coaches may receive additional money for appearances and advancing in the tournament. Schools receive great exposure for tournament appearances. It's a wonderful marketing tool.
People say that there will be expanding TV revenue as well. But at what point will the buyer reach that risk-and-reward theme and choose the risk one?
I am still waiting for the day when a No. 16 seed beats a No. 1. It has yet to happen in the 64-team field despite a few close calls. That scene might be in more serious doubt if the field expands.
What do you think about tournament expansion?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)