Arizona State took the high road when they learned they were not invited to that big dance known as the NCAA tournament. Coach Herb Sendek said instead of acting like victims, he hopes his players and coaches will learn from the disappointment and remember all of the missed opportunities during the season that could have gotten them into the tournament.

Are you kidding me? Coach, you should be livid with the selection committee. You have every right to question their reasons for omitting your Devils. You should be angry, hurt, disappointed and disgusted with the process. Your fans are livid and rightly so. I don't know about you but I found it insulting that you beat Arizona twice and finished ahead of them in the conference standings yet they're going. I also found it insulting that you split with Oregon, tied them in the Pac 10 and they're in too. I don't blame the U of A or Oregon for their good fortune, more power to them.

When someone reads this I'm sure they'll say that I'm biased towards Arizona State. I only hope those who read this blog listened to national broadcasters Billy Packer, Dick Vitale, Jay Bilas, Virginia Tech coach Seth Greenburg and many other college basketball analysts who were vocal in their disbelief the Devils were left out. It didn't make sense when I first heard it and it doesn't make sense right now.

Nothing will change the selection committee's choices. Coach Sendek will take the high road and I'll take the low road and hopefully we'll both get over this injustice. In the meantime, I will watch as much of this year's tournament as I physically can. It would have been much sweeter with the Devils but there are few sporting events as great as the two and a half week run known as March Madness. I'm starting to feel better already. gcruz@kpho.com

Gary Cruz
CBS 5 Sports Anchor