Selection Sunday Winners and Losers

Over the next few weeks, I'll be doing daily reports on the tournament for SportsFan Magazine and covering the tournament from almost every angle possible, ranging from talking to the pros on how to gamble on the tournament, revealing the vote I submitted for the All-American teams and the POY award, talking to fans about what superstitions really work in games, and talking to past tournament heroes about what it takes to win in March.

Be sure to check it out, because it is going to be superb (coming from a very modest person, perhaps even the most modest sports journalist...). Of course, there's no better way to start than with the winners and losers from Selection Sunday.

Winners

1) Allan Ray, Villanova — After going through a horrific injury in the Big East tournament, 'Nova stud Allan Ray has been cleared for shooting and should be cleared for full practice today. That's remarkable news if anyone saw the footage of his eye getting knocked out of its socket (it's even more gruesome than it sounds). 'Nova finally catches a break on the injury front, which is a pleasant change from the norm (see: Curtis Sumpter).

2) The MVC — Four bids in the tourney, just as many as the Pac-10 and ACC. It's good to see a mid-major getting in just as many teams as the ACC in a down year. This naturally has caused plenty of controversy among big school wonks, but let's make one point clear — the MVC is not the Ashley Simpson of the NCAA (more on this later).

3) Oklahoma — I've got to be honest, I've been a little harsh on Oklahoma this year. And I'm going to continue to be honest — it's well deserved, because Oklahoma blows. A few wins don't impress me, they are lucky to have been given a six-seed (if you're asking me, I give them Cal's No. 7, give Cal GW's No. 8, and give GW the No. 7). Note to Oklahoma: enjoy your only weekend in the tournament.

4) Tennessee — I was a little surprised to see the Vols get the No. 2 seed because of their recent slide, but I think they deserve it. A lot of fuss was being made over the fact that Florida won the SEC and was only a No. 3 seed, but Tennessee has a better resume, thanks to some big non-conference wins. I like C.J. Watson and Chris Lofton, but I still think they could be in some trouble in the Washington Region.

5) J.J. Redick — Absolutely unbelievable finish to the ACC championship game by one of the ACC's all-time greatest players. A fitting way for him to end his ACC career, but Duke is going to need some of its freshmen to really step up to make a run in the tourney. If J.J. is anything less than perfect, Duke will struggle to make the Elite Eight. Shelden Williams is a great shot blocker, but not nearly the defender that some blowhards (*cough* Jay Bilas* cough*) think he is.

6) Arizona and Kentucky — I predicted on my show a few weeks ago that both would miss the tourney, but they finished strong and earned their seeds (both 8s). They have tough first round games, and I know fans of those programs expected much, much more, but they still have potential to make some serious noise. Either way, it's a hell of a lot better than the NIT. Props to them for playing strong down the stretch.

7) Syracuse — They went from fighting for their NIT seed to winning the Big East tournament. I still can't explain this turnaround, but it was nothing short of phenomenal. Gerry McNamara has made me a believer and after drinking the Kool-Aid, I agree with their five-seed (despite the fact that they weren't even in the tournament until Thursday).

Losers

1) George Washington — How does the No. 11 team in the country get an eight-seed? By playing an embarrassing schedule, losing their only non-conference test (NC State) by more than 30 points. That and the fact that Pops Mensah-Bonsu is injured dropped the Colonials to the dreaded eight slot. Still, even with their embarrassing schedule, they should have been a six-seed at worst. They definitely got the shaft, but they should have proved themselves outside the conference. I wasn't exactly impressed that they had to climb out of a big hole against Xavier and beat teams by fluke last-second tip-ins.

2) Cincinnati — I was shocked, simply shocked that they didn't get in. I don't know how well I could argue my case for Cincy (well, over Utah State and maybe Air Force), but I really thought they would be in. It would've been a great story, how Andy Kennedy would be able to continue the Bearcats' string of consecutive NCAA appearances alive despite the administration and fans turning their backs on the team, devastating injuries, and their introduction to the Big East conference. Andy Kennedy is frustrated and disappointed and he has every right to be. This is the beginning of the end of UC as the administration isn't bright enough to keep Kennedy after he takes UC to the NIT. Their program just feel apart on a last-second three by McNamara.

3) Connecticut — A second-round matchup with Kentucky, win that to face Washington, only to then face Michigan State (mark it down). They have, in my opinion, the toughest route to the Final Four. They are a great team, but I really can't see them in Indy.

4) Monmouth/Hampton — These two teams face off in the play-in game on Tuesday, meaning one of the two won't be in the real tourney. I hate the entire concept of the play-in game and if we have to have one at all, it should make the last two at-large teams face off. I know that it will be good exposure for the teams because they will be the only show on Tuesday and that one team gets a "win" in the tournament, but what about the team that loses? They weren't really in it at all. Garbage.

5) Jay Bilas, Jim Nantz, Billy Packer — I was considering making this just Billy Packer and illustrating the point that he is a loser, but it's fair to group all three here. I know they are extremely disappointed that the MVC got four bids (Nantz is only in this category because he cut off Selection Committee chair Craig Littlepage in mid-sentence, which was a complete bush-league and dick move), but that decision was more than fair.

I'm sick and tired of Jay Bilas and his abysmal argument that the RPIs of the MVC teams shouldn't be taken for what they are, because the only good wins they have are against other teams in the conference. Well, Jay, isn't that the same deal for just about every Big East team? It makes me sick that hypocrites like Bilas can use the RPI to defend big school teams, but when a conference learns to play it the right way, they talk about the flaws in it and try to argue that the smaller schools don't have any big-name wins. Of course they don't, as most of the big schools are far too cowardly to schedule mid-majors. Thus, the RPI had to be tweaked to take that into account.

Why don't big schools man up and schedule MVC teams? Because they have nothing to gain — they usually only serve to hurt a team if they lose as those teams are likely to end up in the 100s, making it a bad loss. I don't like it, but it does make sense. Still, if that's how it's going to be, then the big-school wonks can't get pissed when they don't have any big wins but still have great RPIs.

What people like Bilas and Packer are trying to illustrate is that the MVC is a lot like Ashley Simpson, meaning that their entire act is simply smoke and mirrors. They are trying to say that the MVC, like Simpson, just knows how the game is played and how to work the system and that there is no substance behind the style.

That just isn't true, the MVC has some very quality teams in it, and it will show during the tournament. You won't see any coaches doing awkward jigs after being exposed, because each and every one of those teams will put up a fight. I even expect one of them, Wichita State, to be in the Sweet 16. It will be even sweeter knowing that Bilas will be watching the game through angry tears.

The Sports Gospel According to Mark is sponsored by BetOnSports.com. BetOnSports.com gives you the greatest sports action to bet on. Wager on football, cricket, boxing, rugby, horse racing, and more. Mark Chalifoux is also a weekly columnist for SportsFan Magazine. His columns appear every Tuesday and Thursday on Sports Central. You can e-mail Mark at [email protected].