Your turn

* Let's see, Toledo-Miami (Ohio), pool or poker? College football overexposure (TSN, August 23) beats alternative programming. The ratings killer is the BCS. General interest in teams wanes, unlike in college basketball, where March Madness creates recognizable teams and players out of the little guys.

Rob Slyker, Danville, Calif.

* Sean Deveney cited Lithuania, Argentina, Spain and Serbia and Montenegro as threats to a U.S. Olympic basketball gold (TSN, August 16), but he didn't anticipate the upset the Dream Team suffered at the hands of Puerto Rico. Given the island's small size and small pool of players, its victory is as historic as when the Russians beat the U.S. basketball team at the 1972 Olympics.

Jose Quinones, New City, N.Y.

* The team most worthy of the Wheaties box this Olympics: the U.S. women's softball team. There was no show-boating or whining on this team. They played hard and came home with the gold. Thanks for nine enjoyable games of softball.

Marilyn Slemp, Fallon, Nev.

* I agree a fifth year of eligibility would be a mistake for college basketball (TSN, August 23), but I don't see the point in singling out players Mike DeCourcy can't endure watching for another season, especially Todd Billet. Billets physical gifts may be limited, but he impressed many with his determination and hard work. I don't think he should be belittled in that fashion.

Matthew T. Snellings, Johnson City, Tenn.

* There are huge holes in Arnie Spanier's argument that the Yankees would win the World Series against the Cardinals (TSN, August 23). First, Jason Giambi will not make a difference in 2004. He'll need an entire offseason of conditioning to return to full strength. Second, Spanier said the Cubs would be winning the N.L. Central if they had stayed healthy. No way were the Cubs expected to put together a season like the Cardinals have.

Darrell Fitzwater, Trenton, Ohio

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