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Post by Cassian on Feb 20, 2024 11:38:13 GMT -5
OK back on my soapbox. There will be some really good teams left out of the NCAA tourney this year. The 68 team format doesn't cut it any more. When the tournament went to 64 teams there were about 200 d1 teams. Today there are 361. Only 19% of all teams are selected. Back in the day it was about 32% - that would equate to about 118 teams playing today.
Teams like the Bonnies and other A10 top 4-5 team(s) should qualify if we went to 96 teams. Adding 32 more teams only adds one more game, generates greater interest and $$$ for schools and the NCAA. The top 32 teams get byes so the slugs in the P6 can feel special until they lose again in the "second" round. There should still be room for some P6 also rans to get in too but the NET would need to be respected.
The challenge the A10 has is that it actually has too many teams vying for one auto spot then hoping for an at-large. Back in the day when we were one of eight teams in our league our odds were much better to get a bid - even though we didn't because the competition was very stiff. Best of the best played as the number of schools was smaller and parity was not so prevelant.
Now, the NCAA could become creative and determine that the season winner gets an auto bid and the tourney winner too. Problem with that is that once you get your bid you may not be inclined to care so much about winning the league tourney and might rest your players - but if money is involved for the winning team schools may think differently. If the two are different then an at large bid becomes available again.
The NIT should still be the next 32 teams and could stay as is.
Its time to make the change. Thoughts?
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Post by gregmitch70 on Feb 20, 2024 12:11:06 GMT -5
OK back on my soapbox. There will be some really good teams left out of the NCAA tourney this year. The 68 team format doesn't cut it any more. When the tournament went to 64 teams there were about 200 d1 teams. Today there are 361. Only 19% of all teams are selected. Back in the day it was about 32% - that would equate to about 118 teams playing today. Teams like the Bonnies and other A10 top 4-5 team(s) should qualify if we went to 96 teams. Adding 32 more teams only adds one more game, generates greater interest and $$$ for schools and the NCAA. The top 32 teams get byes so the slugs in the P6 can feel special until they lose again in the "second" round. There should still be room for some P6 also rans to get in too but the NET would need to be respected. The challenge the A10 has is that it actually has too many teams vying for one auto spot then hoping for an at-large. Back in the day when we were one of eight teams in our league our odds were much better to get a bid - even though we didn't because the competition was very stiff. Best of the best played as the number of schools was smaller and parity was not so prevelant. Now, the NCAA could become creative and determine that the season winner gets an auto bid and the tourney winner too. Problem with that is that once you get your bid you may not be inclined to care so much about winning the league tourney and might rest your players - but if money is involved for the winning team schools may think differently. If the two are different then an at large bid becomes available again. The NIT should still be the next 32 teams and could stay as is. Its time to make the change. Thoughts? Yes to 32 more teams with the 32 byes, which is only fair. No reason not to do it. |
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Post by bigcat on Feb 20, 2024 13:43:59 GMT -5
Excellent post by GM70. It makes sense and I’m all for it, but the NCAA is no longer cracking the whip … it is the P6 and CBS. They will make more money by squeezing out the mid-majors or bypassing the NCAA. Not sure if it would lead to a larger TV contract. The current CBS/Turner deal runs through 2032 for approx $1 billion per season. Adding 32 teams means one more weekend of games. It would need to be on the front end (earlier) because CBS is not going to mess with The Masters which always is the week after the Final 4. CBS likes the fact that it’s an event that keeps fans’ interest for 3 weeks. awfulannouncing.com/ncaa/will-the-ncaa-tournament-leave-cbs-turner-in-the-future.html |
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Post by kccgold on Feb 20, 2024 14:13:49 GMT -5
Expand to 96 teams alone and they would just put more crappy P5 teams aka.. football schools... in the tournament.
I mean this year Penn State is 12-14 but NET 99, they would be a bubble team and most likely on the right side of the bubble. The selection committee definitely chooses them over NET 93 Akron (19-6). That would be lame. Who wants to watch rebuilding Penn State in the NCAA tournament? not me.
The in-season tournament idea is pretty cool though as teams could earn a bid. But just adding more bids in general ruins the thing IMO.
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Post by Dunga on Feb 20, 2024 17:23:22 GMT -5
I have thought a lot about this and think it should be expanded to 96 (28 more teams). They wouldn't need to add an extra weekend as they would get rid of the first 4 games. They should also start on Wednesday instead of Tuesday after selection Sunday to give teams the normal travel time. Top 32 teams get a bye and start play on Friday. 1st round Weds 32 teams 16 games Thurs 32 teams 16 games 2nd round Fri 32 teams 16 games Sat 32 teams 16 games 3rd round Sun 16 teams 8 games Mon 16 teams 8 games sweet 16 Thurs 8 teams 4 games Fri 8 teams 4 games elite 8 Sat 4 teams 2 games Sun 4 teams 2 games final 4 Sat 4 teams 2 games championship Mon 2 teams 1 game "Using the data from 2022, the league which would have benefited the most from a 96-team field: The Atlantic 10, as they would have received four additional bids." athleticdirectoru.com/articles/more-of-a-great-thing-expansion-to-96-teams-in-the-ncaa-basketball-tournament/ |
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Post by BONA82.5 on Feb 21, 2024 6:27:03 GMT -5
I have thought a lot about this and think it should be expanded to 96 (28 more teams). They wouldn't need to add an extra weekend as they would get rid of the first 4 games. They should also start on Wednesday instead of Tuesday after selection Sunday to give teams the normal travel time. Top 32 teams get a bye and start play on Friday. 1st round Weds 32 teams 16 games Thurs 32 teams 16 games 2nd round Fri 32 teams 16 games Sat 32 teams 16 games 3rd round Sun 16 teams 8 games Mon 16 teams 8 games sweet 16 Thurs 8 teams 4 games Fri 8 teams 4 games elite 8 Sat 4 teams 2 games Sun 4 teams 2 games final 4 Sat 4 teams 2 games championship Mon 2 teams 1 game "Using the data from 2022, the league which would have benefited the most from a 96-team field: The Atlantic 10, as they would have received four additional bids." athleticdirectoru.com/articles/more-of-a-great-thing-expansion-to-96-teams-in-the-ncaa-basketball-tournament/Perfect - I'm all in ... Change my Vacation plans for opening weekend from half Day Thursday and all day Friday - to half day Wed. all day Thurs & Fri and all day Monday. Vegas for Sweet Sixteen - Elite Eight games. Minor adjustments ... |
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