I got an email earlier today from UCLA with a note that the Bruins were traveling the third-longest distance to their NCAA Tournament second-round matchup on Thursday, heading 2,529 miles to Tampa for a matchup with 10-seed Michigan State.

More than 2,500 miles for a first-round matchup. And that’s not even the most. Here’s the top-six:

1) Washington — 2,802 miles (Charlotte, N.C.)
2) UC Santa Barbara — 2,623 (Tampa, Fla.)
3) UCLA — 2,529 (Tampa, Fla.)
4) Temple — 2,373 (Tucson, Ariz.)
5) Penn State — 2,226 (Tucson, Ariz.)
6) St. John’s — 1,777 (Denver, Colo.)

In today’s economy, with gas prices soaring – $4.15 a gallon! BLASPHEMY. – and with plane tickets pricier than ever, is that right? Ultimately, the athletic departments aren’t going to go into the red, with trips typically funded entirely by revenue-sharing, but what about the physical effects? Trust me, I’m not looking forward to 11 hours of travel tomorrow (including the time change). I can’t imagine many family, friends and UCLA fans are, either.

And what about the physical tolls, not to mention educational tolls, on the players? UCLA is in the middle of finals week. You don’t think the players would’ve appreciated a few more hours at home and a trip to Denver instead of a cross-country flight to Tampa? There are four seven-seeds, and three of them – UCLA, Washington and Temple – are on the list above. UCSB is traveling 2,600 for a probably beatdown at what is essentially a home game for Florida.

I’m not saying the tournament is in need of a complete overhaul – though this “First Four” thing is complete idiocy – but what about a little common sense?

What do you think?