March=Basketball (and tax refunds!). More specifically college basketball. So for the next month, thats what everyone will talk about. Theres something troubling me in my favorite month of the year...NCAA tournament expansion. Everyone on TV and radio seems to be convinced it will happen, and the number it will rise to is 96 teams! So basically everyone feels there are 30 teams that dont make the tourney that should. I fell like Im taking crazy pills! I went to a basketball school and will always watch and love college basketball. Unless they go to a bowl system. Im not even against expansion, but 96! Talk about job security for coaches. Ive heard arguments of "its only one more week" , "it will help support the other non revenue sports at schools" and "we haven't expanded in 20 years".I fell like dropping the gloves and the NCAA after these reasons. These reason make as much sense as Steve Carell's weather reports in Anchorman. Its just more money in the pocket of coaches, presidents, AD's, TV networks and anyone else involved. The same people who are for expanding the tournament are against a playoff in football because it take the student-athlete away from his classes too long. So what about that now guys? They'll take basketball players away for over a month with neutral site games but heaven forbid an extra 2 games for football players. Dont kid yourself, they will expand it for one reason, Dollar Dollar Bill Y'all. I just have to hope they add some more play-in games or something, anything but 96 teams. UNC would get in this year if the field was 96.
So how about those Tar Heels getting run out of Cameron In-door like a sixteen seed. This beat down got me thinking...how long does a National Title give you? If Roy Williams struggles to make the NCAA's next year will Chapel Hill be worried? Should they be worried...I say yes. I was the last guy on campus agreeing that Tubby Smith should be replaced at UK. But at the end of the day it worked out. Just look at Minnesota. But I have a better example, Billy Donovan at Florida. I think the Gators will make the NCAA's this year. But entering the SEC tourney they aren't a lock. If they lose First round they can make those NIT plans for the 3rd year in a row. Donovan has 3 Final Four's and 2 National Titles. Any fan base and school should be happy with that. Whispers out of Gainsville says next year could be it if Billy dosent get it done this weekend. Its just a reminder that no matter what, a coach is always on the hot seat. Everyone gets a mulligan. But the days of one coach staying 30 years at one place are over. Dont forget to follow me "KyleFrankBrown" on twitter.