The reason why the NCAA should not take bubble team Oregon | thejobarules's Blog

One of the negative stories this season in NCAA hoops was the terrible fan abuse heaped upon opposing players. Tyler Hansbrough was ridiculed everywhere he went with personal attacks, not about his game, which is tremendous, but about his manliness. Indiana guard Eric Gordon, who spurned Illinois in favor of the Hoosiers, was mercilessly abused when his team played at Illinois. But, the most blatant attacks were heaped upon Oregon native Kevin Love when his choice of college team, UCLA played at Oregon. The Oregon Duck faithful literally threw things at and sent verbal assaults to Love's family. The fans even abused Love's dad, who starred in basketball at Oregon!

There has been talk of ways to curtail this abuse, but nothing has been done as of yet.

Do you think the NCAA Committee should make a statement by keeping bubble team Oregon out of the tournament as a protest the Ducks fans' abuse of Kevin Love? This kind of statement could help stop the abuse by fans around the country. Fans would think twice about being abusive towards opposing players if they knew, as a result, their school might not make the big dance.

Should a team representing a University be held responsible for the actions of its fans? The University of Oregon President did send his apologies to the Love family and UCLA, but should that be enough?

The NCAA tournament Committee should take this bold move and let it be known they will not accept the type of boorish behavior the Oregon Duck fans showed towards UCLA and the family of Kevin Love. Maybe then schools and their teams would take a more pro-active approach at curtailing this abuse.

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March 13, 2008 03:31 PM ET

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I disagree with you. I don't think the NCAA should punish the athletes for what the fans did. If the Selection Committee thinks Oregon is one of the 34 best at large teams then put them in. If you want to punish the fans...do something else to them...here's an idea..take away student tickets from the University....