Why is the NCAA Selection Committee racist?

Question

Instead of placing Jackson St. in the play-in game with Florida A&M, a Niagara team that should have been a 15-seed ended up there because the Selection Committee is "sensitive to the historically black colleges" (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=2796072). To me, this is one of the stupidest things I have ever heard: who cares about what race the students are, they are the two worst teams to make the tournament!! Why don’t we just go out and say that white basketball players are as good as black players, does this mean that teams with more white players should get a seeding boost as well? Somebody please explain to me how Jackson St. not playing in the play-in game doesn’t constitute blatant racism.

To all of you brain-dead illiterates out there, let me clarify a few things:
• To access the URL, go to espn.com, Men’s BB, and click on the article titled NCAA selection chair explains Syracuse omission
• I am fully aware of how the NCAA selection process works and do not need to be told about at-large or automatic bids.
• Most of you ought to try reading the question rather than just the subject line. I am not playing any race card, I am simply saying that the two worst teams (Florida A&M and Jackson St. instead of Niagara) should be playing in the play-in game. Thus, I am upset because the two worst teams are both HBCU’s and the Selection Committee didn’t want to put two HBCU’s in the play-in game. The Committee gave one school preferential treatment based on historical race which I believe to be racist.

Furthermore, smalltd28, agm2929, Black_Beauty97, Sebastion Oswaldo Cookie, Sigma B, DaGodfather, and tennis4746, you gave some of the most moronic answers I have ever had the distinct displeasure of reading. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your souls.

Answer 1

"Gary Walters said the committee is sensitive to putting in two historically black colleges in the game. Jackson State and Florida A&M, Niagara's opponent in the game Tuesday night in Dayton, come from the two historically black colleges in the SWAC and MEAC. " ~ESPN.com

"The play in game is supposed to be for the two lowest rated teams in the RPI." ~ESPN.com

Niagara's RPI was 136, Jackson St.'s was 168, and FAMU's was 171. (rpiratings.com)

While I don't think it was racist, I do think it was rather stupid of the committee. The committee wanted to make sure that no one could say that they were racist because they put two historically black schools against each other in the play-in game. But in sports you can generally fall back on numbers and the numbers don't lie. FAMU should be playing Jackson St. instead of Niagara and the only reason this didn't happen is because they wanted to be 'sensitive.'

Answer 2

I guess I am a little confused by the story and the link doesnt' work so I wasn't able to read the article.

Is your question why did the committee help out a historically black college instead of picking the best possible team? If that is the case then I would certainly file this under the category of reverse racism. The tournament should always be about the best 64 (65) teams in the country, regardless of their race, school, etc.

Answer 3

For those saying it has nothing to do with race, I highly suggest reading the article. Unfortunately the person who linked it does not know how to link an article. Copy the link location and paste it into the URL bar. Then before pressing Enter delete the trailing ).
The NCAA representative does say that the committee is sensitive to historically black colleges. So, yes, race did play a part. Racist? No. An idiotic way to select who plays who in a play-in game? Yes.
As for the DaGodfather, following your logic I could just as easily argue blacks used to be better than whites at basketball, but because Nash has won the last two MVPs and Nowitzki or Nash will probably win it this year, whites are now better than blacks.
If any particular race is better than another race in any sport it is not because of the color of their skin. It is because of cultural situations. Brazilians aren't incredible soccer players because they are a super-secret Portuguese/native mix blessed with the ability to kick a ball. They are incredible soccer players because they play a lot of soccer. Play a lot and you improve--what a concept.

Answer 4

Any group with representation on the committee could desire to leave the room while they are stated. i'm no longer able to assert that's a disadvantage, yet i'm unlikely to assert that's why communities get handed over. Syracuse had with regard to the fiftieth perfect RPI of the communities waiting for an at large. good score device or no, that's the muse used. Virginia's 4 is greater of a theory the ACC knocked one yet another off and replaced right into a reward for finsihing tied for first for the duration of the universal season. Syracuse nonetheless complete tied for 5th in what replaced into deemed a weaker convention than Virginia.

Answer 5

This selection WAS NOT racist...had nothing to do with race, only the team itself. I'm soooo annoyed that you would even bring this up.

This may be why that link you provided does not work.

EDIT: This chick called me dumb...so I responded....

ok, thanks...THAT linked worked! That statement "Walters said the committee is sensitive to putting in two historically black colleges in the game. " is not referencing race, but the schools skill level. If racism is the issue, why would "we" want to see the few "black" schools that get in the tourney have to compete against each other and all but guarantee an early knock out.

Again, this is not racist. and I'm not dumb. As a black woman and a sports, I believe you are wrong to say racism was involved. Do you even understand the selection process? Do you realize that the majority of the high ranked teams have a majority of BLACK players on their team, and some led by black coaches.

EDIT: just continuing to share my comments to Lmeister...

It has nothing to do with race. If it were about race, why single out HBC's instead of the powerhouse school's that are full of black players...i'm still not buying your explanation.

I'll agree to disagree with you. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. We'll leave it at that. You started making this persoanly my calling me dumb & disrepecting other members that disagreed with you. Very childish and uncalled for.

Hope you enjoy the tournament.

If you truly believe the selection committee is being racist. Please redirect your concern to the NCAA president at:

Contact the NCAA National Office
The National Collegiate Athletic Association
700 W. Washington Street
P.O. Box 6222
Indianapolis, Indiana 46206-6222

Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Answer 6

thats where i have to stop you... black colleges don't recruit basketball players... all the five/four star players get taken by the top schools like ohio state... by the way 4 out of the 5 starting players are black... or how bout georgetown? whats funny about that article Florida A&M actually one its conference tournament which allows you entrance into the National Champs tourney... that article is just plain dumb... the NCAA Selection Committee isn't racist they're just picky about who they let in... if anything FSU got screwed over for the 2nd consecutive time...
And white players are not as good as blacks... whites are good but not good enough to beat blacks... the greatest player ever was Michael Jordan (guess what? he's black)

Answer 7

What in the USA sports world is not racist. Look at the people that runs everything. In fact, us the minority of this land will not have a drive to compete if it wasn't so difficult to fit in a culture that is unknown. Specially, African Americans and Latin American People. Often we are label as the worse of the worse just because how we look or where we come from.

Don't sweet it, there will be a time when we will dominate sports in the USA.

Jazz on a Horse...

Answer 8

are you serious, the selection commitee is not racist, these two teams are the worst out of the 65 teams, so they are going to play each other and then lose to FL.... nothing to do with black or white, arnt we done with this subject can we move on...........

Answer 9

Save your "race card" for a different scenario, the tournament has nothing to do with race..besides, we are talking about a game where the winner moves on to loose to Kansas by 50

Answer 10

Uh i dont believe its racist... They are in weaker conferences and it isnt like they have more black atheletes on there teams than any of the other teams that made it.

what im mad about being from tallahassee and all is the fact that FAMU made it and FSU dident!