You say you want a Tourney pregame show?

But local affiliate KCBS Channel 2 isn't giving us one?

But has crammed in a 10-minute local newscast between 9 a.m. and 9:10 a.m. instead, following two hours of the CBS "Early Show"?

It's enough to make Rob Durkee steamed.

T-minus 24 hours before the tournament begins. Or 24 hours and 10 minutes here.

Rob sent off an email to us, as well as KCBS, confounded by the local channel's cash-grab to duck in what accounts for a news show instead of that 10 minute adrenalin rush laying out the day's opening action. And they'll do it again Friday morning as well.

Here's the letter Rob wrote to the station -- which we concur -- and also put on his blog :

Dear Chanel 2/Los Angeles,
The NCAA men's basketball tournament ranks among the most popular and most-watched sporting events. It is probably second only to the Super Bowl. And I wouldn't be surprised to discover that more people
watched last Sunday's show announcing the brackets....than the NBA finals.
With all that in mind, please please PLEASE air the CBS network's pregame shows that start at 9 a.m. sharp! Please please PLEASE do not continue to show local news at 9 a.m., when the CBS network's NCAA tournament show is going on. The NCAA tournament's numerous fans DESERVE to see the CBS Network's NCAA tournament coverage Thursday and Friday at 9 a.m. and NOT LOCAL NEWS.
Thank you,
Rob Durkee, North Hollywood

UPDATE: A KCBS Channel 2 spokesman said Wednesday afternoon that even though the station has its live local newscast in that 9 a.m. to 9:10 a.m. window, it picks up coverage 10 minutes before the first game begins at 9:20 a.m. and 15 minutes before the first game (Kansas vs. Portland State) airs on Channel 2.