This year’s NCAA Tournament stinks.

OK, the games are still close and there are upsets and that’s all good for TV ratings, but I’ve been watching March Madness for 12 years now and for the first time there are zero stars.

And to make matters worse, this year proves that not enough at-large bids are going to the small conference teams. Let me explain.

I would agree this year’s tournament is based on team play more than individual performances. And some like it that way, but when it comes down to it, people want to see players take over games. Players like Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade and Ben Gordon are truly missed in the tournament.

Do you remember what Illinois guard Luther Head did last year in the Elite Eight? He brought the Illini back with 11 points in the final three minutes against Arizona.

This year there are only two players who can take over games consistently: J.J. Redick and Adam Morrison. But even watching them play does not excite me enough.

Redick just shoots threes but he can’t create his own shot, while Morrison is just a boring player to watch.

Then there’s Bradley, Wichita State and George Mason: All mid-major schools who are in the Sweet 16.

I am not saying that’s a bad thing. I’m saying that’s good for the NCAA Tournament. Cinderella stories make it March Madness.

But then why do the bulk of at-large bids go to major conferences?

The Big Ten got five at-large bids mostly because a lot of people think the Big Ten is one of the best conferences in college basketball.

Well guess what, there are no more teams left from the Big Ten.

But look at the Missouri Valley Conference. It has two teams in the Sweet 16.

Smaller schools are making big names for themselves, which means they should get more exposure in the NCAA tournament.

If conferences like the MVC can bust brackets, why not the MAC?

There are some schools in the MAC that should be in the tournament, despite not winning the conference tournament.

The NIU men’s basketball team probably didn’t deserve to make it, but Akron and Miami-Ohio should have gotten a look.

The committee should stop judging teams by their conference because when March Madness starts, records and reputation don’t mean anything.

And if the NCAA can’t produce enough star power in the tournament everyone should get ready for a boring Final Four.