NO
The world's greatest sporting event is reaching its conclusion.

The Super Bowl? The World Cup? The World Series? The Westminster dog show? According to those with eyes the size of basketballs, it's the NCAA tournament.

Please.

I know, I know: 65 teams vying for the title, competing on an even basis over this stretch of March that brings madness.

Yep, those underdog teams have really made their mark. Seen the rankings of the remaining teams? This isn't "Hoosiers," folks. This isn't Gene Hackman spitting out a fiery pregame talk. This is the NCAA, where big schools feast on lower seeds like hungry sportswriters abusing a postgame buffet.

The myth perpetuated by the NCAA ---- an organization that makes the old KGB look like a PTA group ---- is the romance of the little guy knocking off the big dude. Of David getting off a slingshot round on Goliath. Of a team with a budget large enough for three basketballs and a miniature grease chalkboard defeating a squad with more money than a Third World country.

Which brings me back to the Westminster dog show. At least those athletes are treated better than how the NCAA rewards its players.

What riles me is the gazillions of dollars being made on the backs of these players. Coaches command salaries rivaling CEOs at major corporations, then get extra bucks for wearing a logo on their sweater.

The players? They get slapped for receiving an extra ham sandwich from a booster, or accepting airfare to visit an ailing relative. While the NCAA stuffs its shirt with fistfuls of dollars, it's on the lookout for players getting a handout.

But Mr. Paris, someone will write, don't these players get scholarships? Yep, and that's great. But if someone is making $100 and you get a nickel ---- and you're the reason they are making that $100 ---- is that right? Remember, CBS paid $6 billion in the late 1990s to telecast this hoops orgy.

While that's close to what Loren Nelson earns directing our department, it doesn't make it less obscene.

What's nasty is how the NCAA cheats its players. While it trumpets the purity of this college event, there are Web links and advertising pitches on nearly every inch of the bench and scorer's table.

But in keeping score with the players ---- the guys who make this happen ---- they get the equivalent of a dog bone, while others dine on filet mignon.

I like hoops as much as the next guy. But fairness should trump this hyped exercise that exploits young men.

You call it Sweet this, Elite that. To me, it's a sour showing of how elitist NCAA administratorschase the almighty dollar.

And that's final.

Contact staff writer Jay Paris at jparis8@aol.com.