You know it. I know it. More important, the college players know it. The truth is, bad is bad. But college basketball today is big business, and the broadcasters are part of that business, and it is in everyone's best business interests to make sure the players always seem like stars, the coaches always seem like General Patton, and the audience always thinks the game is close, even if the score is 98-11.
Viewers deserve better.
And since most of us are addicted to the TV during this tournament, it seems only fair to provide a translation guide, so you can match what you see to what you hear. A team comes out, misses its first 20 shots, falls behind, 42-3. A player comes out, misses his first 13 shots. A player ignores his open teammates, drives the lane, draws three defenders, all of whom are taller than he is. He throws up a terrible one-hander that hits the top of the backboard.