The NCAA seems to enjoy unfair practices against teams and creating controversy. The NCAA Tournament's opening round is an embarrassment to college athletics. Forcing two teams to play each other before the actual tournament is under way, when the teams qualified under NCAA rules for the big dance is simply ridiculous. One of these teams who won their conference tournament will completely lose out on the entire NCAA Tournament and atmosphere. Granted the winner of the game will eventually lose to a #1 seed several days later, but don't both teams deserve to play in the actual tournament? And does the winner of the Opening Round really deserve a "Tournament Win" on their resume?
My proposed solution is a four team bubble playoff for the fourth #12 seed spot. This playoff would actually mean something and be a lot better for fans, teams, and NCAA revenue via television and having larger crowds than the opening round game. The #12 seed is the lowest seed given to at-large teams. Here are the details for the four team playoff for the final #12 spot in the NCAA Tournament.
Setup: The teams will be selected by the NCAA Tournament Committee. When they are deciding the teams that will make the tournament, they will select four bubble teams to participate in this playoff to earn a bid into the tournament. The teams will be ranked 1-4 and #1 will play #4, #2 vs. #3. None of these games will be considered a part of the NCAA Tournament, simply a playoff associated with the big dance. These teams would opt out of the NIT unless the NIT could compensate by holding their tournament a couple days later then usual.
When: The tournament would be played the Tuesday and Wednesday before the start of the NCAA Tournament. The winning team would receive the #12 seed in one of the regions that would play on that Friday to allow for travel.
My proposed solution is a four team bubble playoff for the fourth #12 seed spot. This playoff would actually mean something and be a lot better for fans, teams, and NCAA revenue via television and having larger crowds than the opening round game. The #12 seed is the lowest seed given to at-large teams. Here are the details for the four team playoff for the final #12 spot in the NCAA Tournament.
Setup: The teams will be selected by the NCAA Tournament Committee. When they are deciding the teams that will make the tournament, they will select four bubble teams to participate in this playoff to earn a bid into the tournament. The teams will be ranked 1-4 and #1 will play #4, #2 vs. #3. None of these games will be considered a part of the NCAA Tournament, simply a playoff associated with the big dance. These teams would opt out of the NIT unless the NIT could compensate by holding their tournament a couple days later then usual.
When: The tournament would be played the Tuesday and Wednesday before the start of the NCAA Tournament. The winning team would receive the #12 seed in one of the regions that would play on that Friday to allow for travel.
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