NCAA Changes

[lionlife]

Last week (1/3/23), the NCAA's Transformation Committee released a series of recommendations. Among interesting recommendations for direct access to mental health and decentralization of sport governance was a recommendation for "seeding of at least 50% of teams" in Division 1 championships. This is expected to be implemented as soon as the 23-24 season.

I'm going to assume the "championship" in basketball refers exclusively to March Madness, although the NCAA also sponsors the NIT, so that may be included, as well. There are 358 men's teams in D1 college basketball. Could we be headed for a tournament with, at the minimum, 179 teams? Of course, that doesn't make for a perfect bracket. Realistically, the NCAA could seed 192 teams with 64 byes into the second round to get a "perfect bracket number" of 128 by round 2. If the NIT DOES count toward the "championship", the NCAA could well go for 128 and 64 teams in the fields, respectively.

I mean...we'd finally have a realistic shot of making the tournament.

[LIONS90045]

Interesting.
Yes we might get into the post season but is it as meaningful accomplishment? Usually, 20 wins will get you into one of the "lesser" tournaments (CBI, etc) and perhaps into the NIT. So that encompasses a lot of good teams.
Most professional teams also have expanded post season games and the motivation there is (IMO) purely financial. I'm not saying that's a bad reason just a fact.
In NCAA basketball, a similar motivation applies with more games to televise with the accompanying financial benefits. In college football, the bar to playing in a post season "bowl" is to have at least a 50-50 record. That's a low bar.
I'm not opposed to an expanded NCAA Big Dance field but there are limits. The Final Four is where it's at.
Anyway thanks for posting.

[lionlife]

I mean, I'd take it, of course, but it'd be significantly less meaningful. In the system I laid out, the new equivalent of making the tournament would be making the third round of the tournament (final 64). Still, I think it'd add some excitement.