NCAA weary of sour grapes, says let the games begin
Michigan
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By Erik Brady, USA TODAY
Gary Walters began his media teleconference Monday with these words: "Let the games begin."
No wonder he can hardly wait. Traditionally, that's when criticism of the selection committee ends.
The committee chairman took a series of questions that challenged the committee on teams left out of the NCAA men's basketball tournament and on why Niagara was chosen to play Florida A&M in tonight's opening round.
"The criticism we've gotten basically stems from the East," Walters said, "which relates to Syracuse's omission and Drexel's omission … although there's also some disappointment out in Kansas with regard to Kansas State."
Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim spent much of Monday complaining on media outlets that the Orange were snubbed, given their 10-6 mark in the Big East, including a win against Georgetown.
"I have enormous respect for Jim Boeheim," Walters said. "Jim has been quoting any number of statistics. … You've heard me say … if you torture the numbers long enough, you can get them to confess to anything."
Walters said 23-8 Drexel "was probably among the top two or three teams under at-large consideration that we really struggled with" but the Dragons were hurt by finishing fourth in the Colonial Athletic Association.
Why are mid-majors punished for losses in their leagues more than teams from the power conferences? Walters said that isn't necessarily the case: "We really do look at the full résumé."
Walters seemed surprised at the number of questions on why Niagara was chosen for tonight's play-in game. The Purple Eagles are 20-5 since getting star Charron Fisher back from an eight-game suspension to start the season.
"I don't know why there's such concern about Niagara playing an opening-round game," Walters said. "I think it's an honor to play. … We're parsing issues here and vetting this almost, as far as I'm concerned, too carefully."
Gary Walters began his media teleconference Monday with these words: "Let the games begin."
No wonder he can hardly wait. Traditionally, that's when criticism of the selection committee ends.
The committee chairman took a series of questions that challenged the committee on teams left out of the NCAA men's basketball tournament and on why Niagara was chosen to play Florida A&M in tonight's opening round.
"The criticism we've gotten basically stems from the East," Walters said, "which relates to Syracuse's omission and Drexel's omission … although there's also some disappointment out in Kansas with regard to Kansas State."
Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim spent much of Monday complaining on media outlets that the Orange were snubbed, given their 10-6 mark in the Big East, including a win against Georgetown.
"I have enormous respect for Jim Boeheim," Walters said. "Jim has been quoting any number of statistics. … You've heard me say … if you torture the numbers long enough, you can get them to confess to anything."
Walters said 23-8 Drexel "was probably among the top two or three teams under at-large consideration that we really struggled with" but the Dragons were hurt by finishing fourth in the Colonial Athletic Association.
Why are mid-majors punished for losses in their leagues more than teams from the power conferences? Walters said that isn't necessarily the case: "We really do look at the full résumé."
Walters seemed surprised at the number of questions on why Niagara was chosen for tonight's play-in game. The Purple Eagles are 20-5 since getting star Charron Fisher back from an eight-game suspension to start the season.
"I don't know why there's such concern about Niagara playing an opening-round game," Walters said. "I think it's an honor to play. … We're parsing issues here and vetting this almost, as far as I'm concerned, too carefully."
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