LET'S GIVE THE COMMITTEE AND THE MID-MAJORS BREAK: GROW THE DANCE
While I'm thrilled the Illini and the Piggies got in, K-State, Syracuse, Drexel and Missouri State made some compelling cases. More distressing is that only six mid-majors got in. Mid-majors are who makes the whole thing fun.
Let's do the easy part first. TV will be happy to pay for expansion, so cost is not an issue.
The first, easy move is to take the basic 64 with a play down (65) to sixty-four with four play downs (68). That would have addressed three of the the above non-invitees.
There are problems. Any number other than 128 results in play downs. That wasn't a problem when the tourney went from 32 to 48 back in the 80's. By analogy, they could take 64 to 96 and have 16 playdown games. Great Television, super revenue and still enough teams to stage an NIT (not that it matters). The decision to go to 128 can deferred until there is at least a five year laboratory for 96. Gut hunch tells me 96 will be enough.
Why does this matter now. First, undeniably, Roundball is a revenue sport. College is getting more expensive. Anything that can help pay for the experience should be enhanced. Second, the information age has made for better coaching and a more uniform second tier of elite players (There's only one or two 'melos or Garnett's or LB's a year--I'm talking about the guys just a tick down.). There's enough individual talent to justify it. Third, and this is the big difference, there is a battle going on in recruiting styles that is new and compelling. The mid-majors recruit by saying, you'll be here four years. Teams that stay together do better in the tourney. Come with me and you have a chance to dance, Go to Carolina and you'll sit, while your stars are "one and done." It's a contrast of philopsophiest that can only be proven out one way or another if the Drexel's get to bracket up with the Kansases and OSU's.
Go to simple 68 next year. That requires no talent. Plan on 96 the next year. It's a win-win-win.
Of course, so me, that'll just be wider brackets to be a greasefire.
Labels: NCAA Basketball
posted by UMRBlog @ 07:28
5 comments
5 Comments:
BELMONT !!!!!
Whooooooo hooooooooo !
Piggys were zero for two against those damn ghey-tors this year ! At least Nutt couldn't be blamed on the hoops side .
Good thing there aren't any Springdale kids playing round ball .
Also did you notice since the NBA made a semi good rule on 20 yrs old to join , that college ball got real good again ? I wish the NBA had followed the NFL's lead and made 21 the standard .
What we get is much better pro sports , and really good college sports.
Had Springdale basketball players but their Mommies told them to transfer to Wheeeeeeeeeeeber State.
TYFCB
I have had more fun following the Springdale Diaper Trio ! OH MY GAWD .....
The best part is Senor Houston NUTT is not the most stable of guys .....he's the type that would rip a dude's heart out and eat it in front of a fellow . I think like a car wreck ......the gore of NUTT is why we can't help but watch .
I often wonder if he isn't sorry he refused to get off the plane down in Red Stick.
TYFCB
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