Dear Diary: What Keeps the Madness Alive?

For some, the Road to Detroit ended in Minneapolis. I must count myself in that contingent. Granted, I do not play basketball. My hand eye coordination is minimal at best. However, I have had the privilege of being selected as a one of 30 band members to go on the road with the USC Men’s Basketball Team in the post season the past three years (Which is the first time in the school’s history that the basketball team has received three straight bids to the NCAA tournament). After an exciting, emotional run in the Pacific 10 Tournament that found the USC Trojans as Pacific 10 Champions for the first time in school history, this blogger found herself eating her words. After exploring for, and arguing in favor of, the NIT only a short time ago, I sighed in relief to know that we would not be going. Along with the championship trophy, came an automatic berth to the NCAA tournament. They also brought yours truly along for the ride. From defeating UCLA in Staples Center to finally falling to Michigan State in the Metrodome (Pictured left), I was able to witness the phenomena as a not so quiet fly on the wall. Finally, I had to wonder what held it all together. Year after year, these tournaments take place with a high degree of success no matter who is left standing at the very end. The answer lied within my own university, within my very own team in fact. It was simple: Pure loyalty. It is a multi dimensional loyalty carefully balanced in a symbiotic relationship between teams, fans and university spirit groups that create and uphold this highly successful tournament system. Though nothing, not even this system, is perfect, when it does come together as planned, there is no wonder why we call this event “March Madness.” Let me take you now, on my journey so you can truly understand why I conclude that loyalty is the most important factor in this tournament.

Before the NCAA makes it selections, the conference tournaments must take place and declare a winner that will receive the only official automatic berth into the tournament. This year, this was USC’s only chance of making it to the post season. After a midseason slump and one too many a loss the chance of actually winning three straight games against ranked opponents, including rival UCLA, seemed slim at best. However a little determination, and desperation, goes along way. Injury free and tournament bound, the Trojans relied on every group’s greatest weapon: teamwork. The loyalty to the team over oneself is the main catalyst of the tournament. “One and done” wonders and leading scorers can only carry you so far. When the Michigan State shut down Taj Gibson in the 2nd round, the Trojans stayed in the game by relying on Daniel Hackett and Dwight Lewis to pick up the scoring slack and make up for the fact that Gibson managed to score only three points the whole game. They still came extremely close to beating Michigan State. Had they relied one player whether it had been Gibson, or freshman DeMar DeRozan it would have been detrimental to their success. Former NBA great David Robinson explains teamwork as such: “Each player contributes his own gifts and efforts so that the great goal–winning–can be reached. But players who seek their own glory at the sacrifice of the team’s glory drive the team away from success.” The Trojans stayed loyal to each other and thus found success in both tournaments.

What, however, is a tournament, if no one watches? The NCAA picks neutral sites. Though a high seed may get the advantage of staying within their region, no one gets a true home court advantage in the post season. To help create the allusion of a home court advantage and thus give your team the upper hand, fans must travel. The tournament counts on the fact that certain fans will travel in large groups, spending their precious dollars on tickets and merchandise. Fan loyalty not only helps create the home court advantage for the teams, but revenue for the NCAA. And if it weren’t for all the revenue the NCAA was making off those loyal fans, they wouldn’t have the money to charter a flight for every team and their respective pep bands and cheerleaders, put them up in a nice hotel, provide free meals for the team and per diem ($ 40 a day) for the spirit groups and still have enough to pay everyone running the tournament itself. Though this is not the only way the tournament makes money (We can’t forget the ever lucrative television contracts and advertisements), this is the sort of loyalty that literally keeps the tournament up and running.

That being said, it is known throughout the collegiate world that certain fans are more loyal than others. Though schools that draw larger crowds can more than make up for others in sales, it leaves teams with fewer crowds without even the chance of any sort of home court advantage. That is where university loyalty is key. The NCAA does pay for a certain amount of band members and other spirit groups to fly out with the team, but it takes a group of dedicated members to give up either the very beginning or very end of their spring break for it to actually become a reality. Good bye Cabo. Good bye Palm Springs. Hello Minneapolis: Home of the Mall of America, the Golden Gophers, and really not much else. Nonetheless, I, along with some of my cohorts (Such as the Song Girls and Spirit Leaders pictured below) packed our bags and flew from 80 degree Los Angeles to 40 degree Minneapolis to partake in something bigger than ourselves. After spending the semester studying rhetoric, I noticed how each school’s band and spirit groups helped create a narrative by which all the fans and/or players understood. “Rock Chalk Jay Hawk” has no meaning to me, but when fans chanted it, helped invigorate the Kansas players and intimidate the opposing Dayton Flyers. Likewise, playing “Tribute to Troy” signaled to our opponents that USC had arrived, but more over, it is known throughout the USC community as inspiration. The understanding between university members creates maybe not the most important loyalty of the tournament, but be assured, it is the strongest.

Inter-team loyalty. Fan loyalty. University loyalty. The interdependency of this entire entity is what makes the NCAA tournament as successful as it is. Of course there are lucrative television contracts, ad sales, sponsorships and pools in Las Vegas betting on each game, but that can all exist because of this basic element. Whether it makes a team strong enough to reach the tournament beyond all odds or makes the Metrodome feel like the Galen Center, it all comes to down to a special symbiotic relationship that might not make the world go round, but it keeps “the madness” alive.

The Rulebook: What Happens When Coaches Follow It? Or Ignore it?

The NCAA rulebook might be the only place where you find more rules than the Constitution. Trying to regulate the entire world of college sports is no easy task, but some have felt in recent years that the organization's regulations are sometimes bordering on absurd, but nonetheless the pressure and importance of complying is stressed higher than ever before. One wrong move can put acareer, whether it be a coach's or player's, in double jeopardy. This week I found two blogs that are perfect examples of what happens when coaches do, or do not, follow NCAA or University regulations. The first blog addresses the NCAA punishment for Florida State University which involved one of the worst cheating scandals in history (It affected 61 athletes and 10 sports). The second tells the tale of the Oklahoma University’s basketball coach Jeff Capel and how by following his school’s self imposed regulations, he is able to enjoy, and keep, the success of his team (The fourth ranked OU is looking to grab a #1 seed in the this year’s tournament). Ultimately this also shows that sometimes the punishment doesn't always fit the crime. Either way, rules are rules.

“Florida State Punished For Cheating Scandal (But Not Really)"

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Thank you for pointing out the ever present inconsistency of the NCAA and its endless amount of regulations, most importantly the absurdity of “vacated wins.” The fact that this organization wants to play God with the record books never ceases to amaze me. Erasing from the records, or even changing the “W” to an “L” doesn’t not change history; It merely changes ink on the page. A similar issue comes to mind involving a former player from my current university (USC). There had been accusation of Reggie Bush accepting gifts from an agent while still attending USC. Years later there is still no clear conclusion or action taken, but several punishments had been in consideration if any of the allegations were ever prove true. These included taking away his Heisman Trophy and any titles the Trojans might have won with Bush’s help. Like the FSU case (Shamed FSU Coach Bobby Bowden, pictured left), winning records and team national titles were earned and that can not be altered. Though possibly a note indicating that violations occurred during this time may be would be appropriate, I think it is unreasonable to take anything such as winning records or team titles away (Is it fair to “throw the baby out with the bath water” and punish the rest of the team who played fairly?). In the end, it doesn’t change history. Even taking away his Heisman Trophy dose not change the fact that he won it or that the allegation did not affect his sportsmanship or ability to win such an award (Such as with the recent steroid scandal in the MLB). Though I would see 6 bronze trophies instead of 7 when I walk into Heritage Hall, everyone would still remember that he was the best player in college football that year and more than likely his jersey number would stay retired. After all, OJ Simpson’s did.

Ultimately what would you suggest to the NCAA that would truly be a punishment besides trying to change the record books? And how can we regulate 'the regulators' when they seem to be contradicting themselves? Also, which is more of a ‘sin’ in the sports world? Violating academic integrity issues or accepting gifts from agents prematurely?

“Capel and Griffen: Communication Without Words”

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This story is a great demonstration of how a relationship forged between a future and coach a player can be much more than just about personal gain, but the fact that were able to do it without crossing any boundaries or breaking any university rules (As done by the previous coach) makes this an even more appealing read. Though, due to scandals throughout the years, regulations for recruiting are obviously necessary it sometimes makes it difficult to truly get to know a coach or a player on a more personal level-something which is important when it comes to team chemistry and coaching styles matching with playing styles. Getting to know the player you are recruiting is not only important for the team statistics but for everyone’s well being (Both so the player can know how to help the team and so the team can know how to help the player develop as soon as they walk into the gymnasium). I applaud Capel and Griffen for achieving this while still sticking honestly to the regulations. Though some may see text messaging as “loop hole” the bare naked truth is that they not break a single regulation. Now Oklahoma is not only enjoying the success of this, but are able to revel in it without looking over their shoulder such as Florida State must be doing now with its recent academic violations. After looking at that story and shaking my head in dismay about the blatant disregard for the rules (Even if NCAA seems to have almost too many of them), I was encouraged to see a Coach accomplish his goal (Recruiting and subesquently signing Blake Griffen, pictured right) without crossing any boundaries. If the Oklahoma program were to win the NCAA Men’s Tournament, they can do it with the knowledge they won fair and square. If only we could say the same for the entire Florida State Athletic Department. My question to you is do feel OU’s coach should be rewarded for not breaking the University regulation on phone calls by lessening the restrictions? Should Capel now be allowed to call players at his will?

Lost in the Madness: The National Invitational Tournamet

It is March. It is the time when the California sun comes out, the Midwestern snow begins to thaw and the East Coast can lower the temperature on their thermostat for the first time in months. It also means that no matter where you are from, no matter how many layers of clothing you take off when the spring time begins, you all have one thing on your minds and it is not how much sunblock you need to take to Cabo. On the contrary, it is a phenomena known as March Madness. This is the time when the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament takes center stage not just in the collegiate world, but of all of sports. It is an honored, exhilarating tradition, that actually extends beyond one final post season game (such as with football). The single elimination format can have even the most tame of sports fans on the edge of their seats. With “bracketologists” working over time, journalists capturing the “Cinderella story” of the season and fans buying plane tickets to places as mundane as Omaha, Nebraska to watch their teams no matter how low or high the seed, it is no wonder why they call it March Madness. However, with the advent of my beloved Trojans (pictured left: The second round of the 2007 NCAA tournament) dropping below 5th in the Pac 10 and out of tournament consideration (this year's appearance would have been a historic three in a row for USC), I have had to take a second look at a part of the post season that often gets lost in the madness: The National Invitational Tournament.

More commonly known as The NIT, it has become the step child of the basketball post season. Going to the NIT if you are a Duke or UCLA is like going to the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl if you are Ohio State or USC. It may be alright if you are a smaller school, a lower level Division I program, but if you have any sort of clout in the Division I world, the NIT is merely a consolation prize; Something to keep you busy so you do not find yourself depressed while watching other schools in the tournament. However, after reading the history of the NIT, and coming from a school that might be playing in it this year, I believe it is safe to say that this tournament is more than just a second rate post season experience, but a crucial part of the entity known as March Madness. And do the players see it the same way? Without making a sweeping generalization, it safe to say that most appreciate it for what it is. One of this year's competators, Baylor's Curtis Jerrells said before the NIT finals "It is not the NCAA tournament, we are in the NIT but whatever you are doing you should be fully devoted to it." What is it though? The oldest post season tournament in college basketball. The now more famous NCAA tournament followed a year later. One of the most intriguing aspects is that their Final Four always play at the historic Madison Square Garden (pictured here) thus juxtaposing tradition from the professional and university level worlds in one game. When first started in 1938, the entire tournament was played at this sight. One of its most memorable moments occurred in 1970 when Marquette turned down a bid to the NCAA tournament to play in the NIT and subsequently won. In what could be considered a brilliant, but bizarre strategic move, then Coach Al Maguire decided a longer duration in a lower level tournament and a chance a title was more beneficial then a harder tournament with a lesser chance at winning it all.

Though this may be the only time someone has ever turned down an invitation to what people affectionately call “The Dance,” the incident makes one think. If we ignored the modern day rhetoric of the NIT, and looked at it for what it really is (Another post season tournament), we see its potential rather than its flaws. We see that it truly has a place in the post season. Just as not every player has the capabilities or maturity to play on a ranked team at a large school, not every team has the capability or maturity to play at a large national tournament. Though a challenge is deemed by most an important part of sport, sometimes an overwhelming atmosphere such as the NCAA tournament can cause a team to falter instead of flourish. If only there were a slightly smaller tournament, designed similarly to the NCAA, with just as much history, but not as much pressure for those teams who need an intermediate step. Wait one second. There is such a tournament: The NIT. This tournament will never be as large or as competitive as the NCAA. The final winner could probably never beat the NCAA champion (though that would be a fascinating experiment). That is not its place. It plays an important role in the post season, one that allows the entire basketball world to participate and progress, not just a select few. Though most consider it an honor to receive a bid to the NCAA tournament, not every team is mature enough to handle the responsibility that comes with such an honor. Does that mean they should be limited to sitting at home and watching others continue to hone their skills in extra games? No. It just means they need another tournament. A tournament that will encourage success at any level and help teams eventually reach a point where they can compete with larger, more established programs.

March Madness is one of the most exciting times in sport. You will never hear the complaints about it like you do for the BCS (Bowl Championship Series). Though a higher seed sets you up for success, any school, no matter high or low their ranking coming in has a fair chance at winning the title of “Best College Basketball Team of the Year.” The tournament system is a proven one. We must look at the National Invitational Tournament as having its own important place, one that contributes to the success of the game of basketball and its players and not a mere consolation prize for those who do not receive a bid to the NCAA tournament. Just like smaller bowls allow for extra playing time, revenue and success during football season, the NIT provides the same during the basketball post season. Now if we could only come up with a comparable two tournament, bowl inclusive, system for football season. I might one day be writing about “January Jazz” like I do “March Madness.”