Why you shouldn't watch this year's NCAA Tournament

Most people are fans of the NCAA Tournament. Giving them a reason to watch is as simple as saying, “It’s the NCAA Tournament.” However, some other people might not be inclined to watch and want an extra push to do something else, like read a book, tend to the garden or dig out from another Nor’easter. Let’s take a look at why you shouldn’t watch the NCAA Tournament this year.

You don’t like scoundrels 

This year’s tournament is full of them, starting with Sean Miller at Arizona and moving right on down the line. Plenty of big-name programs are under investigation, and it seems that sooner rather than later, the underbelly of the college basketball world will be exposed. If you like to hold fast to the idea that the student-athlete ideal exists in a totally pure form, then this event may not be for you. Also, I have some prime beachfront real estate out near Boise if you’re interested.

You don’t like blue-blood programs 

There will be upsets this year, just like there are every year. But while the field seems wide open at the top, the next tier of teams doesn’t seem poised to crash the party. There are certainly some intriguing stories, but outside of a guy like Collin Sexton carrying Alabama to some sort of deep run, it doesn’t feel like there is a team seeded in the 8-13 range that could really make some second-weekend magic happen.

You’re mad that Oklahoma got in at the expense of other teams 

The tourney is a made-for-television event. It is, at its core, entertainment. That’s why Trae Young and Oklahoma are in the field. The Sooners went 2-8 over their last 10 games. They’re either going to get bounced early, or Young is going to work some miracles for a game or two. If the fact that they’re in over a team like, say, USC sticks in your craw or you don’t like that one player is being prioritized over other bubble teams, then don’t watch.

You think USC got robbed and you won’t stand for it 

OK, USC did get robbed, and the numbers back it up. If you’re a big Trojans supporter, I’ve got nothing for you. Their omission from this event is arguably the most egregious case of a deserving team being left out of the field. It is certainly the worst that I can remember.

You really, really don’t like basketball or drama 

Look, I know that this is an article telling you why you shouldn’t watch this year’s NCAA Tournament, but outside of the handful of reasons listed above, it’s awfully tough to make a case as to why you should turn off the TV or tablet and do something else. The NCAA gets a lot of things very wrong, but March Madness is something it still gets very right. It is, for my money, the best event in sports, so unless you loathe basketball, brackets and people talking about both, or prefer your drama come from other forms of reality television, there’s no reason not to get in on the fun with everyone else and watch.