Heads and tales: Sporting life

basketball Dancing for dollars: The Southeastern Conference (like all conferences) gets paid for each team and each game in the men’s NCAA tourney. But the payoff has tapered off after growing by more than $4 million in recent years. Is the SEC in a temporary drought? ESPN’s Dick Vitale puts it in perspective: “Florida can have this phenomenal year they’re having. But let Florida get bounced in the first or second round, the naysayers will be saying Billy Donovan can’t win in the tournament. (But) a team gets hot two games (in the tournament) and that coach is a savior and everybody who has a vacancy is hunting him down. The tournament has become so big that it’s created a lot of chaos.” And you thought it was about sportsmanship and higher learning.

The schedule:

1:40 today, CBS 42: Marquette (7) vs. Alabama (10)
1:55 today, online: Florida (3) vs. South Alabama (14)
8:55 p.m. Friday, CBS 42: Kentucky (8) vs. UAB (9)

Last chance to fill out your brackets for a prize!

• Doing so little with so much [Birmingham News]

See rock country: Moss Rock Preserve is a 250-acre slice of wilderness heaven for hikers, rock climbers and visitors. Hoover’s hidden gem has homegrown touches, from Boy Scouts building bridges to handmade trail signs. As long as the city doesn’t put another gas station or pita joint there, we’re happy.
• Moss Rock Preserve [Black and White]

Two wheels, will travel: The tiny town of Ramer, south of Montgomery, is home to the Alabama Cycling Camp, attracting riders from across the United States and Canada. For $600 for a week, cyclists enjoy lodging, meals and coaching, plus the mild climate from November to April. Said one attendee, “Back in Michigan, we have a lot of flat roads and a lot of irate drivers. I’m amazed at how polite people are here and how accommodating they are when they pass. A lot of the roads are almost totally free of traffic.” Just wait till you get in a car, buddy, cuz then you’re fair game.
• Rolling in Ramer: Cycling team enjoys taste of Alabama charm [Montgomery Advertiser]

basketball A reminder: Turn in your NCAA brackets to win a 256MB USB thumb drive/pen by 11 a.m. today. It’s free, so enter now.