UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA

Joe Castiglione, in his first year as chairperson of the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Committee, will have the duty of answering tough questions after Sunday’s 68-team tournament field is revealed. “Part of the reason I’m going to New York (early) is to create more understanding of the process and open the process up to members of the media who are talking to college basketball fans,” Castiglione said. “There’s even going to be a time during selection week where we’re going to invite members of the media to come and visit with us inside the selection room itself.” Castiglione is in his fifth year on the selection committee and was voted to be chairperson two years ago. He, along with nine other members on the committee, has spent many hours evaluating teams during the regular season. Each member, besides Castiglione, is responsible for seven conferences as a primary or secondary monitor. Shielding their decisions behind closed doors isn’t what Castglione wants to happen. He craves transparency, which has been labeled an impressive trait by the NCAA. -Eric Bailey, Tulsa World, Read More