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“BASKETBALL..MARCH MADNESS”
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Let the games begin, though the NCAA tourney will begin with controversy.

The field was chosen for both the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Tourney, with the committee saying the choices were based on merit, and a full body of work, not just a hot streak or a cold streak.

Random thoughts on what I see.

AZTECS..Guess those early season wins over Houston and Creighton carried alot of clout, that plus a legacy of great success in the last decade plus of tournament play.  The Aztecs were chosen despite some really poor play by a struggling young team over the last couple of months.  But it is in a play in game against a controversial North Carolina team on Tuesday in Dayton, Ohio.  They are in, but they may not last long.  Not even sure they belong.

UCSD…A (30-4) record in a weak Big West Conference, but having won the tourney, got them a punched ticket.  But they have their hands full, facing Big 10-power Michigan in the first round.  What a cap to a spectacular season.

LADY AZTECS…Stacy Terry-Hutson has a dynamic team.  Congrats on the tourney berth, but look at whom they play, next Saturday.  SDSU meets LSU and it’s Hall of Fame coach Kim Mulkey.  You know her.  Fierce recruiter, talent laden rosters, and a take-no-prisoner style of play.  Her resume includes 4-NCAA titles at Baylor and LSU.  A  (751-123) career record and a (119-19) mark with the Lady Tigers.  Sadly a 1-and-done situation for SDSU.

LADY TRITONS..They’re going to the tourney too, after winning the Big West.  But they have to survive a play-in game vs Southern University first.

THE FIELD..Might be the most balanced NCAA we have seen.  8-different teams have been ranked number one this year.  The tourney is loaded, and there is very little difference between a top seed Duke or Houston to a later high seed like St-Johns.

BEST GAMES…The first round is always a fun series of games..and will be later this week.  Try Louisville-vs-Creighton.  Try Gonzaga-vs-Georgia.  How wild will Kansas-vs-Arkansas be?  Some other unique matchups include UCLA-vs-Utah State…Colorado State has to face Memphis….Grand Canyon goes against Maryland.  Some Thursday and Friday ahead of us.

JUST ASKING…The Committee talked and talked about using all the metrics, and if that was the case, how did a staggering North Carolina team, that was (1-12), yes (1-12) in Quad One games deserve this.  How did Indiana and Ohio State,who had more Quad One wins get bumped off the list of invitees?  And why does Boise State get taken out after beating tourney invites SDSU and New Mexico in back to back games?

CHANGING OF THE GUARD…Remember the days when the ACC owned college hoops?  How about this, the SEC-the football power league, has 14-basketball teams in the tourney.  Wow.

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