Title Game Gets Lowest Rating

The championship of one of the most exciting NCAA Tournaments in history brought CBS the lowest prime-time title game rating ever.

Kentucky’s victory against Utah on Monday night got a 17.8 rating/28 share, the lowest for the NCAA championship game since the 1972 UCLA-Florida State final, played in the afternoon, got a 16.0/35.

The championship game did have a higher rating than last year’s NBA Finals, which averaged a 16.8/20 for six games. The highest-rated game from the Bulls-Jazz series, the fifth game, got a 20.1/35.

The tournament as a whole, with 18 games decided by fewer than three points or in overtime rated 2 percent higher than last year.

Each ratings point represents 980,000 homes. The share is the percentage of televisions in actual use at the time.

But betting is astronomical

Oddsmakers say the amount of money bet on the entire NCAA Tournament may have equaled the sum wagered on the Super Bowl.

The NFL championship game between the Denver Broncos and Green Bay Packers drew more than $78 million in legalized bets, the Nevada Gaming Control Board said.

Though the Gaming Control Board does not track betting on the NCAA Tournament, experts estimate the handle on this year’s 63-game showcase is expected to match numbers posted for the Super Bowl.

Make plans for 1999

Ticket applications for the 1999 NCAA men’s and women’s basketball Final Fours will be available today through May 1. A lottery will determine who will be eligible to buy tickets.

The men’s Final Four is scheduled for March 27 and 29 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla. Ticket packages for the semis and title game cost $100 and $80.

The women’s Final Four is scheduled for March 26 and 28 at San Jose (Calif.) Arena. Ticket packages for the semifinals and finals are $90.

For the men’s application, call (913) 236-9400, or write to 1999 NCAA Men’s Final Four, P.O. Box 410949, Kansas City, Mo., 64141-0949.

For the women’s application, call (913) 831-1234, or write to 1999 NCAA Women’s Final Four, P.O. Box 410619, Kansas City, Mo., 64141-0619.

Completed applications must be received by May 15 to be included in the random computerized drawings. Applicants will be notified of the results of the drawings in August.

Watkins takes A&M job

North Carolina Charlotte coach Melvin Watkins resigned to become basketball coach at Texas A&M.

Watkins will replace Tony Barone, who resigned after seven seasons.

In his two seasons as UNCC’s coach, Watkins’ teams went 22-9 and 20-11, winning first-round NCAA Tournament games each year.

Lue wants to turn pro

Nebraska guard Tyronn Lue has decided to make himself eligible for the NBA draft. The All-Big 12 junior point led Nebraska in scoring last season with 21.2 points per game.

The following fields overflowed: SUPCAT = COLUMN - NCAA basketball notebook