Ancillary Postseason Basketball Tournaments. Why bother?

College football and basketball are the only sports that continue to have consolation playoffs.

Why?

The existence of the NIT, CIT, and CBI Tournament only allows the NCAA Tournament to ignore mid-major participants for tired major conference basketball teams that have no shot at winning the tournament.

Do you really think Ohio State is going to win the national championship this year? Seton Hall? Mississippi State? Baylor?

The same argument can be made for UNCG, but Francis Alonzo’s scoring ability would give the Spartans a fighting chance against anyone. Why isn’t a talent like that being showcased on a national stage instead of players who have been seen multiple times to fans and scouts alike?

A four-year starter, Alonso is pictured with Wofford’s Fletcher Magee because the both shot better than 40 percent from 3-point range in their careers. And because this picture proves Alonso can fly.

Media critics say the Buckeyes will gather more attention and viewers than a mid-major; but only for the short term. Isn’t the appeal of the NCAA Tournament David against Goliath? The highest rated NCAA Tournament Game ever was Michigan State against Indiana State in 1979.

There’s a lesson to be learned here.

If the bone of a consolation tournament wasn’t available, would there be more of a cry for attention from mid-majors who need the $1.6 million payout for their conference an invite nets far more…