Bubble, bubble, toil and trouble

Sporting News, The, March 14, 1994 by Ted Rodgers

Mississippi State's victory over Arkansas on January 19 looks better and better as Arkansas keeps winning. The school's best victory since 1962, it may vault them into the tournament.

New Orleans expects to win the Sun Belt tournament and automatic berth. But if it doesn't, it will lobby that it beat George Washington and Southern and its losses include powers Arizona and Purdue.

Butters is in his sixth, and therefore final, year on the selection committee. "I shall leave with bittersweet feelings," he says. "It has been the most extraordinary experience of my professional life."

Butters has found the process pristine. "The group of nine people is dedicated," he says. "Everyone takes off their league hats and conference hats, and works for the good of the kids.

"Everyone agrees: The selection process better be right. For the kids."

Ted Rodgers is a senior editor at The Sporting News, Material for this story was provided by TSN correspondents Wendell Barnhouse, Michael Bradley, B.G. Brooks, Chuck Carree, Tom Collins, Toni Ginnetti, Bruce Hooley, Andy Katz, Bob Lutz, Lenn Robbins, Alan Schmadtke and Lynn Zinser.