NCAA Hoops: Like Life, it's a Toss Up!"

Decades ago, it was billed as "March Madness." It has certainly lived up to that brand this year. Wow. What a tournament. To think, UCLA Bruins men's basketball played in the First Four and made it to the Final Four. In sports, and life for that matter, you just never know. This much is a fact. Colorado Buffaloes Men's Basketball split two regular season games against the Bruins. Lost by three on the road and won by nine at home. The point? March Madness can be magnificent for the underdog. I'm a big fan of Tad Boyle's Buffs and watch their games, including the two against the legendary program. The Buffs can play against the Bruins and the "Wizards of Westwood" made it to the national semi's. Humm. Good for the NCAA, lots of teams, and their fans, gotta believe, "We have a shot!" Reminds me of long ago, 1990 Final Four in Denver. CBS Denver main sports guy Ron Zappolo had no interest attending the games. So, the station sent me. I'm trying to walk into, now vanquished, McNichols Sports Arena with a press pass proclaiming to the world, "Ron Zappolo." NCAA security guy asks me for verification. I try to explain, to no avail. I call the station. "Hey folks, I can't get in the arena because I ain't Zap." It took awhile but, finally, access was granted. That's the year UNLV Runnin' Rebel Basketball, behind coach Jerry Tarkanian routed Duke Men's Basketball by 40. Coach K and his program seemed to do okay after such an embarrassing loss. The next year, think Gonzaga Men's Basketball this year, undefeated UNLV entered a national championship rematch against Duke and lost the game. Ironically, the site? Indianapolis. The Hoosier Dome, not Lucas Oil Stadium. Since that disappointing '91 defeat, the Running Rebs have never appeared in the Final Four. Will fate play a similar cruel card tonight for the undefeated Bulldogs from Gonzaga University? We shall see. For Baylor University? The last time it played in the Final Four was 1950. In that time, New York City's Madison Square Garden and its National Invitation Tournament was considered the more prestigious of the two post-season tournaments. So many story lines. No team since 1976 Indiana and coach Bobby Knight has run the table. Gonzaga can do that tonight. But, back in 1991, in the same town, UNLV's undefeated season went down in flames. Will history repeat itself? Inquiring minds will watch, including mine. These are the type of games that make sports so compelling. Throw the ball up and ya know, let's see what happens. Much like life, tonight's battle, it's a toss up! #goodbetterbest