It's Monday, there are no W games on, so I offer some random thoughts on the NCAA online ticket application process for the Final Four.

• Why do the tickets we few, we happy few, we band of fanatics "win" totally suck?
• How much money does the NCAA make off the interest on our "deposits" into the lottery process?
• $6 a ticket bid "handling fee" (or, as I like to call it, an "inconvenience charge"). Really? $6 EACH? Gads, why invent computers if they can't duplicate a task with little or no effort?
• Speaking of computers - applications had to be in May 31st. You're telling me the computers can't select those lucky few who've earned a pair of nosebleed seats a week after the application process has been closed? Again I'm asking about the computers and their function. (And, by the way, about that interest the NCAA is earning off the deposits. Heck, a landlord has to set up a security deposit escrow account and WE get the interest...)
• So, let's break down some numbers (which is scary, since I'm a drama person): You, of course, want two tickets (2x162 = $324). You KNOW your team's going to make the Finals so. to increase your chances, you decide to submit the maximum 10 application for tickets (3240+ (6x10)) = $3300. Now, the NCAA gives you two ways to pay for your bid: Direct draw from your bank account or put it on your credit card. Way #1 means you have to have the money on hand and, win or lose, you don't get that money back until the first week in August. If you put off your pain by Way #2, using plastic, again, you don't get that refund until August. But, when you think of it, you DON'T get it back, because it's credited to your account. An account that, because of the delayed NCAA refund, you have to pay off from your checking account if you want to avoid interest charges....So, in fact, you don't truly ever "get it back" until you "spend it" somewhere else. Get my drift?
  
• So, about how much money the NCAA makes off the actual application deposits....
• Which all comes back to my original question -- which has now become two questions: 1) Why do the seats the fanatic fan get suck? *and boy, do they!* 2) Are we comfortable with the way the "lottery" system eliminates fans who don't have $3300 dollars of (temporarily) disposable income hanging around? (sure we are -- but I just thought I'd ask.)