Even as we wait for the football bowl games to unfold (see The Voice listing on page 7, which includes nine Big Ten Conference teams out of the 14, and both Notre Dame and Northern Illinois Universities) college sports makes its visible transition from football to basketball. The basketball focus is primarily in men’s basketball where the Big Ten Conference is strong, however, women’s college basketball reflects good competition and excellent shooting. That predicament of excellence is why college basketball on television flourishes with many games.
Predicament?
College football’s last season of four teams in college football tournament play draws an emphasis on too many good teams available for the playoffs. Controversy propels us with undefeated and 13-0 Florida State ranked fifth nationally and out of the playoffs. It was only a matter of time before such a predicament would evolve. There are too many teams deserving of playoff berths. Next season the Division I college football will expand to 12 playoff teams. It will be better, however, then there will be dilemmas with teams ranked 13th and 14th. Nonetheless, that will be significantly better than the flawed four teams which we knew from the beginning was inadequate. What took us so long to seek the solution?
The top four in the final poll from first to fourth, Michigan, 13-0; Washington, 13-0; Texas, 12-1; Alabama, 12-1. Florida State, 13-0, is No. 5; Georgia, 12-1, No. 6; Ohio State, 12-1, No. 7; Oregon, 11-2, No. 8.
There are two other major football polls, Associate Press writers poll and USA Today coaches poll. In the AP, the top four, in order, are Michigan, Washington, Texas, Florida State. In the USA Today coaches poll the top four in order, are, Michigan, Washington, Florida State, tied for fourth, Texas and Alabama. There are strong reasons for all of the polls.
There is a difference between college football and college basketball. Only one football game can be played in a weekend because of the physical nature of the game. The basketball season runs more weeks than football. The National Football League professional game runs a long 17 weeks, less than the college basketball season. Nonetheless, it is all enjoyable.
At the start of Division I college basketball season we function with major polls. In the AP poll, the top three teams are Arizona, Kansas, Houston, each with first-place votes. The same three top teams are in the USA Today coaches poll only Houston is No. 2 and Kansas is No. 3, and each with first-place votes.
Who will the top four semifinalists, Final Four teams be in April when the men’s tournament is played. One difference from football, is that although four teams made the football tournament this year, there will be 68 teams to start the tournament in April’s basketball March Madness tournament.
Who will be the Cinderella to sneak into the tournament in a surprise finish.
Few Cinderella will make the Final Four in basketball and few will make the 68-team tournament. A few teams will surprise in men’s basketball, part of the fun. That’s why they play the games, why television viewers will be in large numbers, and why money is made and a focus in men’s college basketball.
To be complete in the men’s basketball rankings this week, Purdue University of the Big Ten Conference is No. 4 after a recent defeat, and other Big Ten teams in the AP includes No. 20 Illinois, 6-1, and No. 23, Wisconsin, 6-2. In the USA Today poll this week, Illinois is No. 18 and Ohio State, 7-1, is No. 25. Other quality teams which will have an impact include, Gonzaga, Baylor, and the University of Connecticut.
- Illinois basketball will be missed at the United Center, home of the Chicago Bulls, after many late December games at the arena. Dwindling attendance in recent years was the culprit. Last year a mere 5,600 showed watched Illinois and Ohio State play, two quality Big Ten teams. Will fans revive an annual game?