Charley Rosen: Not so mad about March Madness

• Brian

  +4

  I completely agree. I know I'm in the extreme minority here, but I simply can't stomach college basketball (or football for that matter), even during "the tourney." Watching these games is about as fun as a trip to the dentist.

  Posted 3/26/2008 [reply] [flag]

• RedBaron

  +4

  I detest Charley Rosen like a sickness, but can't argue with any of his complaints:

  • Relative to the NBA, the talent level is decidedly low-grade.
  • The game is much too sloppy, with too many unforced errors and boneheaded decision-making.
  • By and large, college teams are over-coached. Offenses are mostly ineffective. Defenses are primitive. Substitutions are frequently gratuitous and have little connection with matchups. And the sideline antics of too many coaches are over-the-top.
  • Dick Vitale and his cohorts are shrill shills.
  • The college refs are part-time employees and their work reveals their incomplete understanding of the game.
  • The relative paucity of college telecasts, along with the seemingly infinite number of college teams, renders even the most devout fans unfamiliar with the dramatis persona.
  • The only allure during the tournament is the constant threat of dramatic upsets. But except for bettors and alumni, who really cares?

  Posted 3/26/2008 [reply] [flag]

• GWIII

  +4

  As a North Carolina resident, I can't avoid college basketball. Wall to wall Tar Heel/Blue Devil coverage is the norm. So I have learned to appreciate the game to a certain extent.

  However I have had two opportunities to see NCAA subregionals in my life, and one weekend showed the best and worst of college hoops. The best: the matchup of a freshman Jason Kidd and Cal against the experienced Bobby Hurly, Grant Hill, and Duke. Kidd had a triple double, Hurley had 35 points, and a good time was had by all.

  Contrast that with the SMU-BYU game earlier on the docket. People with me fell asleep during the game.

  Especially now that early entry is the norm, college basketball is not really a compelling watch.

  Posted 3/26/2008 [reply] [flag]

• Crucifictorious

  +2

  It may be a minority opinion, but doubtful that it's extreme, as you three prove.

  One argument against Charley Rosen, on principle: So even if you love basketball, there's no reason to watch a random game--be it while traveling in Europe or visiting a high school--because the talent level won't measure up to the NBA and you won't know who the players are?

  No argument on the level of play; yes, some games are painful.  But one bonus: If you're truly an NBA fan--a dangerous assumption, given that it's become (maybe) a niche sport--there's something entertaining about seeing tomorrow's players today.  

  Posted 3/27/2008 [reply] [flag]

  • RedBaron

    +1

    Good point ... except Charley Rosen hates basketball.

    Posted 3/27/2008 [reply] [flag]

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Links (5)

Linkage - March 23
Published 3/23/2008 by sdp04 at The AltRaps Blog
... this kind of diminished role are nil. Simply put, along with their other needs — like a powerhouse big man, and a creative wing — Ford must be traded and Calderon must be resigned for the Raptors to ever challenge the Pistons, Celtics, Magic and Cavs for supremacy in the East. With all of Ford’s physical vulnerabilities, it will undoubtedly be much easier to re-up Calderon than to find a new home for T.J. Even so, the Raps will in deep trouble if there’s a Ford in their future. - Fox Sports while this defensive performance was undoubtedly impressive, i would advise others to ...

NBA vs. NCAA: Every Hoops Fan's March Dilemma
Published 3/26/2008 at The Sporting Blog
... taking care of all your work and family obligations, you can’t stay up late watching Tivo’d sports, so there’s only enough time to watch one set of games on Thursday night. Do you choose college hoops or the pro game? This was more dramatic than anything that'll happen in the NBA this month. The popular choice is to watch the college game, and to my mind, even the most devoted NBA connoisseur will be hard-pressed to choose the Association over the Tourney this week. You’d have to grasp at straws to come up with reasons to ignore the NCAA’s signature event in favor of regular ...

Reading is Great! Thursday’s NBA Links
Published 3/27/2008 by Brian Spencer at Empty the Bench
- Daily Basketball - The months of March and April are filled with NBA holidays. - The Boston Globe - Pat Riley and Shaquille O’Neal are in a pissing match. Embarassing. - FOX Sports - ETB doesn’t catch the Bracket Fever every March either. - Vegan Fish Tacos - Melvin Ely is the reason Byron Scott could be Coach of the Year. - Stop Mike Lupica - Who can save the NY Knicks? James Dolan’s Traveling ...

Turco'd in San Jose
Published 3/28/2008 by Sturminator at Bob's Blog - Live from Lewisville
... Starts, 2-0, 16 ip, 7h, 2er, 0bb, 26k, 1.13era – Rangers hit .132/.132/.170 The DMN Listed the line-up: Here's the Rangers' planned opening day lineup: Pos. Player '07 avg. 2B Ian Kinsler .263 SS Michael Young .315 CF Josh Hamilton .292 3B Hank Blalock .293 DH Milton Bradley .306 LF David Murphy .340 RF Marlon Byrd .307 C Gerald Laird .224 1B Ben Broussard .275 Charley Rosen’s view of college basketball … I've never made a secret of my lack of ...

NBA vs. NCAA: Every Hoops Fan's March Dilemma
Published 4/13/2008 at The Sporting Blog
... care of all your work and family obligations, you cant stay up late watching Tivod sports, so theres only enough time to watch one set of games on Thursday night. Do you choose college hoops or the pro game? [image] This was more dramatic than anything that'll happen in the NBA this month. The popular choice is to watch the college game, and to my mind, even the most devoted NBA connoisseur will be hard-pressed to choose the Association over the Tourney this week. Youd have to grasp at straws to come up with reasons to ignore the NCAAs signature event in favor of regular ...