CBS sports and NCAA hate Stanford...

32 First round games, only one is scheduled to be played during CBS's "dark" period from 5-7pm on Thursday. Stanford v. Cornell at 4:50pm ET. There are no such games scheduled for Friday, BTW.

This has happened just about every single year Stanford has been seeded well enough to not play a "popular" team in round 1. CBS tries to claim that it's because Stanford is a small school, but that doesn't justify playing the game during the blackout so there aren't even any live look ins or regional coverage chances. Anyone who went to Stanford has to tune in via GameCenter and audio feeds. Even in the Bay Area, it won't be on.

You would think the NCAA, if they believe in education as their goal, might want to showcase a school that values academics so highly. Stanford even suspended their star player, at the expense of losing some early games, for academic reasons internal to the school (not in violation of NCAA eligibility). And they are rewarded for their quality play, top 10 ranking, and academic honesty how? By being stuck in the no man's land of television. Again. Year after year.

And this year there are two future NBA players on this team, if not 3. You'd think maybe, just maybe, people might want to watch them play, understand what all the fuss is about?

So, CBS, please explain it away this time. NCAA, explain why Stanford gets this "special" game time yet again, instead of Kentucky/Marquette. Kentucky barely deserves to be in the tournament, so explain why you still reward a bubble 11 seed with the TV slot.

If it didn't happen every year, I'd be okay with it. But it's getting ridiculous.

Simple - Kentucky has FANS. Lots of them. All across the country.

It's a ratings no-brainer.

And if you don't believe me, just check out the stands during that session. UK will be the most represented team in the building - even in California.

Maybe you're looking at it with the glass half empty.   I think NCAA and CBS love Stanford and with their history of early letdown losses they are protecting them from national audience viewiing loss to Ivy League champs.

If Stanford is going to act like 3 seed they should make it to elite8 so plenty of time to watch them if they eke by Cornell and follow it up with a victory against a small Marquette team tailor-made for a team with good bigs to whomp, unless the team ain't so legit???