re: So...why are so many people down on CBB and the tournament?

It is not AAU's job to promote that really, IMO. I do think though that USA Basketball needs to take control of the AAU circuit and start trying to build a "camp" not just for stars but for everyone wanting to play.

I only have heard USA Basketball interested in all star camps.

The CBB hate is also overstated a bit on this board because it's a majority SEC fans

The NBA product is too good right now to waste time watching CBB. Unlike CFB, it doesn't get a whole day to itself insulated from the pro game.

If you like basketball, there isn't much reason to spend time watching CBB.

I think the CBB can improve their product 10-fold if they can get rid of the one and done. Someone else mentioned in this thread about changing it to a CFB method where they have to stay at least 2 years. The problem that I see is these potential top tier talent guys would rather sit on the bench in the NBA for 3 seasons, getting paid ridiculous amount of money then stay in college for another couple of years. The NBA product would benefit from keeping players in CBB for another year as well as these guys tone their skills.

This year seems to me to be an off year because of some of the crappy seeds that the committee threw out there. Kentucky should NOT be a #4 seed behind a #3 seed A&M who they beat no more than 2 hours before the brackets announced. It's apparent that they had already had these brackets created and just waiting for the 2-hour special. Duke shouldn't be a #4 seed but because they're DUKE they got a favor this year. The bracket that Kentucky in is ridiculous while the committee showed favoritism to Michigan State and basically handing them an Elite 8 visit (in Chicago, BTW). Having Virginia as a #1 seed is a JOKE. They didn't even win their freaking conference tournament.

I'm still excited as hell to watch but this year definitely seems like an off-year.

I think if the refs are gonna call hand checking and charges like they do CBB should go to 6 fouls. I can't stand watching a star player pickup an early hustle foul then get called for a charge and have to sit out the last 15min of a half. 6 fouls would keep the best players on the court.

A funny thing happened when the Turner networks came into the picture. You'd think with the chance to see every game, we'd all be happier, right? I'm not so sure about that now. Without the Turner networks, there was a lot more overlap in games, so CBS would swing around the action and you'd inevitably have a good finish somewhere. Now, with four channels, they are much more staggered and everything is too drawn out. This isn't a huge issue on the first Thursday and Friday as there is still so much action going on and games would roughly be finishing at midnight no matter the setup. But, I just noticed there are six games starting on or after 5:00 eastern on Sunday. That is a disaster. I'm usually burned out by that point and want everything done by 6:00 or 8:00 that day like it used to be.