College hoops rates below hockey?!

Sunday's sobering thought? Hockey rates higher than college hoops among U.S. sports fans. In a recent Harris poll, five percent of surveyed fans say hockey is their favorite, compared to four percent who prefer pro or college hoops. Ouch.

What's behind that? March Madness.

As marvelous and frenzied as those three weeks in March have become, I've heard grumblings that those three weeks have made the regular season all but invisible. The Lexington Herald-Leader's Mark Story lists other reasons, but comes to same conclusion. Jason Whitlock of the K.C. Star says the regular season is simply boring.

Maybe the regular season, compared to college's football's weekly do-or-die Saturday, isn't as compelling because one loss won't ruin a team's chance at a national title. And yes, it can be hard for casual fans to get excited about games between teams like Texas and Iowa State (the No. 12 'Horns escaped in OT, but who saw it?), but still … hockey? Sigh.

On that note, Selection Sunday is just over a month away.

Other Sunday selections:

The Big East (once again, a loaded conference) could get hosed in March because of its parity.

For the second straight year, college hoops writers learn how grueling Selection Sunday can be.

UConn continues to roll. And Hasheem Thabeet continues to get more pub.

Roy Williams asks: "Who's Dr. Phil?"

Florida's all about offense and Billy Donovan is sick of it.

Right now, Todd Lickliter is wondering why he ever left Butler.

I'm avoiding this 11-year-old in games of 1-on-1.

John Feinstein spends time with the NCAA's supervisor of basketball officials.