NCAA unmasked: Here in the middle of March Madness it is time to reveal the lengths the NCAA will go to hinder local television stations from covering their tournament. Frankly, they make it very difficult.

There is a rule that prohibits television stations from covering the tournament if they don't do so from day one. In other words, if a tv station doesn't show up for the first round games, they are barred from covering ANY of the following games. Even an appearance in the Final Four.

On the surface that may sound reasonable to you. And we certainly found our way to Chicago for the Jackets opening round game. But the reality is that more and more tv stations are finding ways to cut costs and not traveling to a first round game is a popular way to trim the budget.

More and more news directors are telling their sports guys that it is not worth the money to cover the opening round. Air fares booked at the last minute are hugely expensive. Hotel rooms in major cities are, too.

Even if you do spend the money and cover the first round, the NCAA imposes strict rules to prevent sportscasters from doing their jobs.

I once interviewed Bobby Cremins and one of his players outside Chicago's Rosemont arena in 25 degree weather and snow because I was not allowed to go live inside the arena while another game was in progress. Nevermind that viewers in Atlanta wouldn't be able to see the game from the back hallway I had picked out for the interview. It was INSIDE and that was all the NCAA cared about.

They didn't care about Cremins and his player freezing in the snow. Thank goodness they were willing to come outside so Atlanta fans could see them live.

In many, many, many cases, the NCAA reads its policy book and sticks to it when it just doesn't make common sense.

But if you follow college sports, you already knew that.

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How about this -- Kennesaw State University may be the best college baseball team in the state. In the span of two weeks, the Owls beat Georgia in Athens, 3-2, and followed that up with a 6-4 victory over Georgia Tech.

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What irony...Winston used to be the main sponsor of NASCAR. Now Nicorette, a gum to help you stop smoking, is a big player in racing. Nicorette sponsored the Busch race last Saturday at the Atlanta Motor Speedway.

See ya...