Time to Burst Their Bubble

Based on information provided by The Times, I have come very close to figuring out the magic formula used to determine the field for the NCAA tournament. I have narrowed it down to two possibilities.

Given that UCLA deserves to stay in the West region with a high seeding because it won the Pac-10 and USC shouldn’t get into the tournament at all, even if it finishes second, the formula must be either:

A) performance within the conference is all that matters; or,

B) performance within the conference is absolutely meaningless.

ROB OSBORNE

Redondo Beach

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What’s wrong with this picture?

Today--USC beats the Huskies, Cal beats Arizona and Stanford wins. Final conference standings: UCLA first, USC second, Stanford and Cal tied for third, Arizona fifth.

Sunday--the NCAA selection committee takes only four Pac-10 teams, bypassing USC. To add insult to injury, Arizona is seeded higher than Cal and Stanford, even though they finished higher in the conference. The oxymoronic NCAA logic: Arizona has been nationally ranked all year, has many impressive nonconference wins and is expected to get a high seeding in the tournament. Conference record is less important than nonconference.

Well, then, how can you keep Oregon out of the tournament? Sure, the Ducks lost 10 conference game and finished seventh, but they’re 9-0 in nonconference play.

Of course, USC might lose and end up tied for second. Maybe that would help the Trojans’ chances. Welcome to NCAA wonderland.

BILL BRUTODAO

La Canada Flintridge