Geography Quiz
Cartoons for the Classroom
Front Page Talking Points
This Week In History
Words in the News Quiz|
One sport, 65 teams, no medals: NCAA Tournament is the Olympics of college basketball
Though some fans have barely shaken off Winter Olympics fever, a new two-week sports frenzy begins Tuesday -- one that comes every year, not every four. Teams were selected Sunday, based on 2009-10 records and some wild-card spots, for a National Collegiate Athletic Association basketball championship series that will winnow 65 teams down to a Sweet Sixteen, then an Elite Eight and ultimately a Final Four for April 3-5 games in Indianapolis. It's called March Madness, which also covers last week's conference tournaments such as the Big East, Big West, Pacific 10 and Big 10. For college students, alumni and basketball fans worldwide, this is It. Many fill in "bracket" grids, trying to pick each round's winners -- often with a betting pool involved. Live streaming of games online and to mobile devices makes it easier to sneak peeks in school, at work or nearly anywhere. Studies suggest that business productivity slumps at least a bit during the next two weeks. There's extra buzz this year because a tournament expansion to 68 or even 96 teams is being considered to let the NCAA earn more TV revenue and bring in teams that nearly qualify now. Coaches generally support expansion, but fans are strongly opposed. In a USA Today poll, 80 percent chose "the field of 65 is just right." That size has been in place since 1985, and New York Times sportswriter George Vecsey also feels it's ideal. "Don't get too greedy," he told the NCAA in a column this month.
Front Page Talking Points is written by Felix Grabowski and Alan Stamm for NIEonline.com, Copyright 2010
We welcome comments or suggestions for future topics: Click here to Comment |
ArchiveOne sport, 65 teams, no medals: NCAA Tournament is the Olympics of college basketball Paralympic Games showcase athletes with extraordinary abilities Damage spreads when writers use the Net to plagiarize Common sense and caution are vital to separate online 'news' facts from fakery 'Let's Move' to shape up and combat childhood obesity, Michelle Obama urges Winter Olympics showcase skills, speed on snow and ice Super Bowl swells 'fan' ranks this Sunday -- and not just for football Apple presents next must-have device: hand-held tablet Digital outreach and social media help Haiti earthquake survivors Electronics event unveils next-gen TVs, games, phones, ear buds, other tech updates |
Like the Olympics, the NCAA Tournament reaches beyond sports. Find March Madness-related coverage in the main news section or business, entertainment or lifestyle pages. 
For new fans, it can be tough to understand bracket pairings and how teams reach the Final Four. See if reports are clear or clouded by jargon. Point out any terms you're unsure about. 
Look for a quote from anyone -- player, coach, fan, journalist -- with a view of March Madness that seems sensible and balanced about what's important. 
Broadcaster says: "It's always wide open, but this year -- more so than the past couple years -- it's even more wide open. You look at the top seeds . . . All these teams are so vulnerable." -- Jay Williams, ESPN analyst and past Duke University player