Tourney Time

Duke is a shadow of its normal self, seventh-best team in the ACC. Yet I still chuckle when following how their thuggish exploits and dirty play gets national media attention. (See the funny "Love is a Devil" on Page 2 today.)

Kentucky is more likely to fire its national championship coach at the end of the season than it is to make the Sweet Sixteen. The team is soft and dysfunctional, the fans' expectations are wildly unrealistic, and an #8 or #9 seed is on the horizon. Yet I still get worked up watching them and can rationalize the possibility of an unlikely NCAA tournament run with the best of them.

Unlike in years past there is no clear cut favorite to win the national champion. There are 3-4 teams that are a step above the rest of the field -- UCLA, North Carolina, Ohio State. But certainly no team is invincible -- especially with the one-and-done nature of the NCAA tournament.

My favorite time of year is upon us! It's tourney time!

Bracket contest forthcoming....