IT'S NOT SUPPOSED TO BE FAIR

Well, we were treated to another fine showing of college basketball in yesterday's first day of Sweet 16 action. But as the field was reduced to 12 heading into tonight's regional semifinal action, I couldn't help thinking the right teams didn't necessarily win.
Let's start with Kansas over Southern Illinois. It's hard to argue the Jayhawks really deserved this one. They were outplayed most of the night — and SIU didn't even look that good, at least offensively — but their superior talent proved too much.
As for Ohio State, I'm starting to think more and more this team is going to win the national title. Why? Just look at how they've advanced.
One more late free throw by Xavier eliminates the Buckeyes in the second round — instead we saw a 3-pointer at the buzzer and an overwhelming overtime performance — and then last night they overcome the biggest halftime deficit in Sweet 16 history. Luck may be on their side, and that's a dangerous asset this time of year.

EAVES IS OUT

UConn announced that Ben Eaves would be transferring today. Not much of a surprise here.
The truth is, we'll never know how much of this decision is his. I'm not saying it happens at UConn, but I do know of other schools where players like Eaves get forced out, so hopefully that wasn't the case.
Truth be told, I didn't spend much time talking to Ben, and the same can be said for the other beat guys. I did sit down with him a few weeks ago for a feature on prep schools, and he once again struck me as very intelligent.
He's got some game, too, and should make for a good player somewhere else.

OFFICIALLY THE BEST

Even with a few games left to go, this goes down as one of the best NCAA tournament day I've ever seen. Granted, I would enjoy it a little bit more if my sleeper VCU was able to survive a little bit longer.
I mean, honestly, when's the last time you can remember this many close games after? I don't know that it's ever happened.
I hope you all enjoyed it, because I know I have.

GREAT DAY SO FAR

OK, so the first round of the NCAA tournament didn't have all the upsets we all probably wanted. But things have a way of evening out and Saturday's proving that so far.
After a great overtime turnaround helped Ohio State knock off state rival Xavier, it came down to the final seconds as Butler clinched the second Sweet 16 ticket over Maryland. Texas A&M — another of why somewhat wild Final Four picks — is in a dogfight with Louisville in a virtual road game, and the night is still to come.
So for everyone that wanted more excitement, it looks like we're getting it.

NCAA TOURNAMENT DAY 2

We're about to cross into the last batch of games here on the tournament's second day. I'm hoping for some excitement because so far we really haven't got too many crazy games.
Thankfully, my bracket doesn't have that many key blemishes, although I'll be sweating through VCU's game tomorrow since I've got the Rams going to the Final Four. My other picks of Florida, Georgetown and Texas A&M are a little bit safer.
I'm also curious to see how Arkansas fairs tonight. After Stanford was disappointing, as many the expected, the selection committee will likely draw additional criticism if the Razorbacks aren't at least close.

SOMETHING LEFTOVER

For those of you who are regulars to the Bulletin, you’ve gotten used to seeing notes from around the state every Sunday. The final installment of that came two days ago, but here’s something extra that didn’t get in the paper.
My original plan was to catch up with Hartford’s Dan Leibovitz to get some thoughts on his first season as a head coach. We spoke for a little bit and everything was set, but the story unfortunately had to be bumped because of Joe DeSantis’ firing at Quinnipiac and the fact two Connecticut schools just played for the NEC final, which meant we had to catch up with the winner.
But here’s what would have run on Leibovitz, an up-and-comer in the business:

Dan Leibovitz spent the previous decade as a Temple assistant under John Chaney, using the same zone defenses that worked so well in Philadelphia. It was only natural for Hartford’s first-year coach to be influenced by the man he worked with for so long, but Leibovitz also wanted to make sure he didn’t try to change who he was in this new position.
“I’m different than he is, so you wonder, as a head coach, do you need that kind of voice, do you need that kind of presence, would it work for me?” Leibovitz said. “And it was good to be yourself and demand things in your own way.”
He credits honesty with players as the easiest way to foster good relationships. It worked as he restored the program’s severed relationship with Bo Taylor and helped get a team picked to finish last in the America East to buy into a new system that yielded some success.
The Hawks finished 13-18, winning a first-round game in the conference tournament over Stony Brook before falling to regular-season champion Vermont in the quarterfinals.
“To win one game up there was significant,” Leibovitz said.
The Hawks are only losing two seniors and their performance should warrant more consideration from league coaches when next season begins. It’s all part of the process Leibovitz has envisioned in trying to make Hartford a winner.
“If you have higher expectations that means your getting better,” he said. “Some day, I hope to have expectations that we’re going to come in and win the league, but I’m more excited than anything just have guys returning and some depth.”

A TALE OF TWO CITIES

Two college campuses in cities 45 minutes apart were caught up in different types of emotions last night. Selection Sunday has long been a staple of Connecticut basketball behind the success of UConn, but it was another program that gathered to celebrate as the Huskies waited a few extra hours to be told they would have no postseason — a first after 19 straight seasons.
I was fortunate enough to have an eye on both these circumstances, so here’s a rundown of some thoughts:
First off, good for the NIT in keeping to its plan. Since being taken over by the NCAA, March’s second tournament said it wouldn’t pass up deserving programs for big names, and that was the case.
Like Jim Calhoun said, the Huskies had a good idea they weren’t going to the postseason, a product of missed opportunities contributed to by youth. It was an obvious disappointment, but hearing Calhoun talk on a conference call last night, there didn’t appear to be any inkling of surprise.
For a while I thought getting into any postseason would help UConn; give it’s young team a chance to maybe win a few games and gain some confidence. But if the Huskies were to exit early in the NIT, that probably would have been even worse and potentially more embarrassing.
The other side is that by staying home this March, the stage is set for the ultimate motivator this offseason.

On the other side of things in New Britain, Central Connecticut was thrilled to know it’s playing Ohio State as a decided underdog — more importantly not going to the play-in game.
Coach Howie Dickenman, a Norwich native, spoke briefly at a pep-rally event — his two captains did the same — and then led his team into its locker room to watch the selection show. There was an obvious buzz as the players waited to see their name on CBS, a moment that probably goes underappreciated at bigger programs.
Waiting for the players afterward to do interviews, I chatted with another writer from the state and we talked about how great of a story Central has been. The best thing is how winning a game isn’t what’s going to make this season a great one for the Blue Devils. Getting to the tournament is the ultimate goal and they’ve already accomplished that.
Like I said in our conversation, these are the stories you get into this business for.

NO SURPRISE

Even Jim Calhoun wasn't shy about saying he didn't think UConn was going to the NIT. He spoke with us for about 20 minutes tonight, which is why I'm posting so late.
Check back tomorrow for a full report.