Mr. Kiszla, your explanation to why Colorado was not selected to participate in the NCAA basketball tourney is typical of those people who do not like or respect CU, the coaches or players. Basketball is an activity with the outcome based on speed, agility and talent, not aura. The explanation I heard for Colorado’s exclusion sounded like a backroom procedure reserved more for politicians than sportsmen.
Jack, Littleton
Kiz: It came down to a vote, which is by definition a political process. It’s easy to accuse Big 12 Conference commissioner Don Beebe of not properly supporting the Buffs with his fellow members of the selection committee. It’s harder to admit how damaging a late-season loss to the worst team in their league or their poor nonconference record was to the Buffs. What’s more, it was Colorado that divorced the old, tired Big 12 to run off with an obviously prettier and presumed wealthier new love in the Pac-10 sunshine. Was CU really so naive to believe there could be no fallout from that breakup?
Buffs reap what they sow.
The Buffs did get what they deserved, as did many other “snubs” from the tournament field. Twelve other basketball teams with better RPI computer ratings than CU also got left out.
Dave, Longmont
Kiz: ESPN analysts were shocked Colorado was snubbed. Absolutely shocked. Think that had anything to do with the fact ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi predicted the Buffs would be selected as an at-large team? Hours before the tourney selections were announced, CBS bracketologist Jerry Palm predicted CU would not receive an invitation. Maybe we all listened to the loudest guru rather than the smartest soothsayer.
Deck stacked for East.
I am no CU basketball fan but feel badly for their players being left out of the NCAA tourney. College basketball and football are all about one thing: money from TV and advertising. There were 11 teams from the Big East in the field. Enough said. Furthermore, the Mountain West had a better RPI rating than the Atlantic Coast, Southeastern and Pac-10. The deck is stacked.
Oliver, Torrington, Wyo.
Kiz: Hey, CU senior Levi Knutson attended high school down the street from where I live, so I feel empathy for a neighbor whose NCAA hoops dream was denied. But had the Buffs received an NCAA bid, they probably would not have survived the round of 64. Knutson and his fellow seniors, however, have a real chance to cut down the nets and dance on the floor of Madison Square Garden as NIT champs. We supersize our fries because, as Americans, we think bigger is better. But every so often, a blessing can arrive in a small disguise.
“Blind Side” at UNC.
I have enjoyed your column for years and look to you for a sense of perspective and common sense in the crazy world of sports. The message of your column regarding Northern Colorado senior Devon Beitzel getting a chance to play in the NCAA basketball tourney was perfect. Gratitude. What a simple, refreshing concept! His personal “Blind Side” story is awesome, and I will never forget watching Beitzel’s fearlessness on the hardwood.
Rob, Parker
Kiz: A hardworking college basketball squad gets snubbed every year by the NCAA tourney. There is outrage that the 68 best teams were not selected. Well, here’s a news flash: The NCAA tourney has never been about selecting the best 68 teams. It’s about giving every Division I player a chance to dream. Truth be known, the Northern Colorado Bears were not one of the country’s 68 best teams. But they earned their spot in the tourney. And even in defeat, UNC was one of the best stories in the field.
NFL and its players need a reality check, like now
And today’s parting shot reminds us that while everyday people worry about Japan’s earthquake victims, the battle between NFL players and owners over $9 billion in annual revenue must go on.
“Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson showed America what is wrong with pro sports by comparing the NFL with slavery. Insanely overpaid athletes have lost touch with reality. Meanwhile, teachers, policemen and other civil servants give up benefits and portions of their salaries. Peterson, you just made it harder for regular people to feel one ounce of pain for you.”
Walt, Lakewood
