However, I know one organization that produced a big sigh or relief on Sunday when Michigan State and Duke won to complete next weekend’s semifinal matchups – CBS.
When the Sweet 16 started last Thursday everyone was talking about Saint Mary’s, Washington, Northern Iowa and Butler – the double-digit seeds and the small colleges from some of the non-BCS conferences that were shredding everyone’s tournament bracket sheets. In normal years, that is as far as they would get. But in this year’s year of the upstart, CBS had the distinct chance of having to broadcast a Final Four without any of the basketball blue bloods.
I’m sure the network was muttering under its breath when Butler beat Syracuse, but still there was at least the storyline of the Bulldogs getting to play the Final Four at home. However, that thought did little to lessen the blow when Kentucky, with its two freshman All-Americans, were sent packing by West Virginia, because that meant heading into Sunday, CBS was left with the possibility of a Final Four consisting of Butler, West Virginia, Tennessee and Baylor.
Let’s just say there isn’t really a team there to drive ratings. That is why CBS is thankful for the Spartans and the Blue Devils. It gives us Butler vs. Tom Izzo and Michigan State, the blue-collar team, which has advanced to the Final Four for the sixth time in the last 12 years and West Virginia vs. Mike Krzyzewski and Duke, the Yankees of college basketball and the team everyone loves to hate, making its 11th appearance under its legendary coach.
As a pure basketball fan, I don’t think I would have minded a Final Four with four true upstarts, but then I don’t have to sell the advertising. At least with Michigan State beating Tennessee we don’t have to worry about any Bruce Pearl stories, cause who wants to see the footage of him without his shirt and painted orange again?
But that’s just my opinion.
What do you think?
Post a Comment
Follow us on Twitter!