"Arch Madness," awwwww.... What a cute play on words, right? Credit to the marketing department of the Missouri Valley Conference for coming up with that one. It would be just that if it also weren't a true statement of what happens when the MVC tangles in St. Louis for their postseason tournament.
The final on Sunday between Creighton and Wichita State was a shining example of just that as the two heavyweights of 2012-13 went toe to toe and wire to wire before Creighton finally came out on top to claim the tournament title, 68-65, over the Shockers. That title goes along with their regular season crown too.
Creighton and Wichita State battled closely all game long, with Creighton holding the biggest advantage at 19-7, and in the final minutes things really got crazy and it could've been OT, but the Shockers' Malcolm Armstead (who had a game high 28 points) missed a three point attempt for the tie with one second remaining.
Too bad you, me, Dupree and just about everyone else outside of Wichita, KS and Omaha, NE didn't get to see the crazy ending thanks to CBS cutting away for the start of Indiana-Michigan. For those of us who actually love college basketball on the whole and not just one specific team or conference this was utterly disappointing and ridiculous.
Apparently we weren't the only ones miffed by this choice. Valley commissioner Doug Elgin said in a statement it was "incredibly disappointing" and "disrespectful" for CBS to pull away from the game for the second year in a row.
ESPN holds the rights to the game, but has farmed them out in the past to CBS.
Hopefully change comes soon, as this conference and one of the most exciting and well attended conference tournaments deserves much, MUCH better.
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