March 22, 2004
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The beauty of the NCAA Tournament is its unpredictable nature. After most of the higher seeds advanced in round one, it was Shock City as teams battled for spots in the Sweet 16.

Who would have thought that a pair of No. 1s (Kentucky and Stanford) and a pair of No. 2s (Mississippi State and Gonzaga) would be sent packing this early? That's why the NCAA Tournament is so tough, and in some eyes, so cruel. It's a one-game scenario, not a best-of-seven like the pros play.

Some define success and failure for a season solely with results in the Big Dance, and that is ludicrous and absurd.

Do you honestly think UAB would beat Kentucky four times in a seven-game series? That's not to take anything away from coach Mike Anderson's squad, but the odds of upsets diminish in a longer series. One of the drawbacks of the growth and importance placed on the NCAA Tournament is the negativity shown toward teams that are upset early. Some define success and failure for a season solely with results in the Big Dance, and that is ludicrous and absurd.

You can't tell me Kentucky, Stanford and Gonzaga didn't enjoy super seasons. The Cardinal went 30-2, yet some will question why they couldn't beat Alabama in the second round. That's really a problem to me -- the tournament has become so big and so pressure-packed that one game overshadows the complete picture.

I think back to 1997 and Kansas, a big favorite to cut down the nets and win a national championship. When Roy Williams and company were stunned by Arizona, the team which eventually won the title in Indianapolis by beating three No. 1 seeds along the way, people forgot that the Jayhawks finished the season 34-2.

All anyone talked about was that tournament loss, and the failure to even make the Final Four. Williams was concerned about that. I honestly believe that's unfair. The same thing can be said about Kentucky losing last season to Marquette in the Elite Eight. Eagles star Dwayne Wade played the perfect game and the Wildcats fell short of a trip to New Orleans.

Given the scholarship limits that produce parity in college basketball and the number of quality guards out there, is it really that surprising to see so many quality teams around? Let me tell you, Nevada can flat-out play. Kirk Snyder, Todd Okeson and Co. are not a fluke. People may not see them as much on TV since they play out in the WAC, but these kids sent a message when they beat Kansas and tested Connecticut earlier in the season.

The emphasis on guard play has been one key to parity. Guys can succeed if given the opportunity. You can find so many good guards in the high school ranks.

I'm also amazed at times how some coaches are graded solely on their performance in the tournament. It's a positive for those whose stock rises because of a couple of wins. That resumé looks a lot better when your team makes the Sweet 16, but that shouldn't totally define you as a coach.

So the tournament rolls on to the Sweet 16. There are many exciting matchups, and the committee has done a great job of creating excitement so far. Let's not forget what teams like Kentucky, Stanford, Gonzaga and Mississippi State accomplished this season. They were special programs that got caught in the parity of college basketball.

Dick Vitale coached the Detroit Pistons and the University of Detroit in the 1970s before broadcasting ESPN's first college basketball game in 1979 (he's been an ESPN analyst ever since). Send a question for Vitale for possible use on ESPNEWS.