FIVE LOSERS
1. Syracuse
In an unprecedented move, the committee excluded a team that
was on nobody’s bubble watch. Ranked as high as a No. 10 seed in some
projections, the Orange (22-10) were left on the outside despite 10 Big East
Conference victories, wins in six of their last eight games and a better
than .500 road record. Syracuse finished fifth in the Big East, but two
teams behind it – Villanova and Marquette – both got bids, leaving longtime
coach Jim Boeheim to question whether or not his team it is best for his
team to be part of the expanded 16-team league.
2. Air Force
Just two weeks ago, Air Force was ranked in both Top 25 polls.
Four straight losses to end the season erased lots of good work at the
start. Wins against Stanford, Long Beach St. and Texas Tech were forgotten.
Utah State was ranked in 2004 and got snubbed. This was not as bad as that,
but still close enough to drudge up memories. Ask yourself: Why have
rankings if they do not matter? Imagine, an aspect where college football
actually makes more sense than college basketball.
3. Big East
Even without the Syracuse snub, the Big East had a rough day.
Negative whispering was deservingly rampant after the Big East nabbed eight
bids last season and teams such as Seton Hall and Marquette did not bother
to show up for their opening game. The selection committee delivered its
payback by undervaluing Louisville and Notre Dame this year. Both schools
reached the Big East Tournament semifinals, but were handed No. 6 seeds –
same as Duke, which did not win an ACC Tournament game after earning its
worst seeding at the event in 12 years.
4. Mid-majors
Once billed as the “Year of the Mid-major,” the 2007 field
looks a lot like fields of the past. Only six at-larges were given to
mid-majors, which makes you wonder what would have happened if Butler and
Southern Illinois won their respective conference tournaments? Would it have
meant only four mid-majors? It is difficult to duplicate a George
Mason-caliber run when not enough George Masons are included. I am sure the
nation will be just as captivated by Arkansas’ magical (ITALICS) run.
5. Akron
Count to One Mississippi. That did not seem too long, right?
Certainly not long enough to change the entire course of a season. The Zips
were one second – and one banked buzzer-beater – from a MAAC Tournament
title and automatic NCAA Tournament berth Saturday. Still recovering from a
heartbreaker, the players probably watched the selection show with faint
hopes of an at-large then probably rolled out the balls for practice. Only,
their season is over. Akron’s 26 wins were the most of any team not
participating the Big Dance and the most by a non-invitee since 1986, but
the 32-team NIT also passed on the zips. Talk about being snubbed.
