...there are interesting illustrations in there of the various ways the NCAA might handle the extra three teams, other than just making the little guys play each other in three more play-in games for the right to take on the #1 seeds.

Here's the link:

http://www.bloggingthebracket.com/2010/5...#storyjump

(05-16-2010 11:22 AM)PTJR Wrote:  ...there are interesting illustrations in there of the various ways the NCAA might handle the extra three teams, other than just making the little guys play each other in three more play-in games for the right to take on the #1 seeds.

Here's the link:

http://www.bloggingthebracket.com/2010/5...#storyjump

There are certainly some interesting scenarios. I have a feeling the NCAA will take the easy way out and have 16's play 17's in the play-in game. So the Sun Belt is likely looking at a play-in game. Having the last few at-large teams play their way in, would set up much more interesting games. If it's about the money maybe it would be considered- certainly 2 BCS schools battling to get in the tournament would attract more TV viewers that Winthrop vs. UAPB.

(05-16-2010 05:02 PM)mjs Wrote:  

(05-16-2010 11:22 AM)PTJR Wrote:  ...there are interesting illustrations in there of the various ways the NCAA might handle the extra three teams, other than just making the little guys play each other in three more play-in games for the right to take on the #1 seeds.

Here's the link:

http://www.bloggingthebracket.com/2010/5...#storyjump

There are certainly some interesting scenarios. I have a feeling the NCAA will take the easy way out and have 16's play 17's in the play-in game. So the Sun Belt is likely looking at a play-in game. Having the last few at-large teams play their way in, would set up much more interesting games. If it's about the money maybe it would be considered- certainly 2 BCS schools battling to get in the tournament would attract more TV viewers that Winthrop vs. UAPB.

Let's hope that not only Little Rock, but the entire SBC improves its game this coming season so the SBC won't be in one of the play-in games. There is little doubt however, that if the league plays as poorly as it did this year again next year, we will be in one of those games.

(05-16-2010 05:44 PM)PTJR Wrote:  

(05-16-2010 05:02 PM)mjs Wrote:  

(05-16-2010 11:22 AM)PTJR Wrote:  ...there are interesting illustrations in there of the various ways the NCAA might handle the extra three teams, other than just making the little guys play each other in three more play-in games for the right to take on the #1 seeds.

Here's the link:

http://www.bloggingthebracket.com/2010/5...#storyjump

There are certainly some interesting scenarios. I have a feeling the NCAA will take the easy way out and have 16's play 17's in the play-in game. So the Sun Belt is likely looking at a play-in game. Having the last few at-large teams play their way in, would set up much more interesting games. If it's about the money maybe it would be considered- certainly 2 BCS schools battling to get in the tournament would attract more TV viewers that Winthrop vs. UAPB.

Let's hope that not only Little Rock, but the entire SBC improves its game this coming season so the SBC won't be in one of the play-in games. There is little doubt however, that if the league plays as poorly as it did this year again next year, we will be in one of those games.

Actually, I'm more concerned that the most likely scenario will simply lead to the Sun Belt dropping one spot in seeding. A 14 seed has a much better chance to win a game then a 15 seed (I know, PTJR, Richmond did it); a 13 has a better chance than a 14, etc. At this point, unless the Belt improves alot, the play-in game (other than an embarrassment) may not be the worst thing- at least, we should get a win and an extra NCAA share out of it.

(05-16-2010 08:42 PM)mjs Wrote:  

(05-16-2010 05:44 PM)PTJR Wrote:  

(05-16-2010 05:02 PM)mjs Wrote:  

(05-16-2010 11:22 AM)PTJR Wrote:  ...there are interesting illustrations in there of the various ways the NCAA might handle the extra three teams, other than just making the little guys play each other in three more play-in games for the right to take on the #1 seeds.

Here's the link:

http://www.bloggingthebracket.com/2010/5...#storyjump

There are certainly some interesting scenarios. I have a feeling the NCAA will take the easy way out and have 16's play 17's in the play-in game. So the Sun Belt is likely looking at a play-in game. Having the last few at-large teams play their way in, would set up much more interesting games. If it's about the money maybe it would be considered- certainly 2 BCS schools battling to get in the tournament would attract more TV viewers that Winthrop vs. UAPB.

Let's hope that not only Little Rock, but the entire SBC improves its game this coming season so the SBC won't be in one of the play-in games. There is little doubt however, that if the league plays as poorly as it did this year again next year, we will be in one of those games.

Actually, I'm more concerned that the most likely scenario will simply lead to the Sun Belt dropping one spot in seeding. A 14 seed has a much better chance to win a game then a 15 seed (I know, PTJR, Richmond did it); a 13 has a better chance than a 14, etc. At this point, unless the Belt improves alot, the play-in game (other than an embarrassment) may not be the worst thing- at least, we should get a win and an extra NCAA share out of it.

ESPN writer agrees with me-

The last eight teams to make the 68-team field should be the ones competing in the "play-in" games. Last year, that could've meant entertaining games such as Virginia Tech vs. Ole Miss and Illinois vs. Mississippi State. Instead we were treated to Arkansas-Pine Bluff vs. Winthrop. Did you watch that one on television? Don't worry; I didn't, either. Including high-profile teams in the play-in games would boost TV ratings while providing the perfect appetizer for three great weekends of college basketball.

- JASON KING

(05-16-2010 08:42 PM)mjs Wrote:  

(05-16-2010 05:44 PM)PTJR Wrote:  

(05-16-2010 05:02 PM)mjs Wrote:  

(05-16-2010 11:22 AM)PTJR Wrote:  ...there are interesting illustrations in there of the various ways the NCAA might handle the extra three teams, other than just making the little guys play each other in three more play-in games for the right to take on the #1 seeds.

Here's the link:

http://www.bloggingthebracket.com/2010/5...#storyjump

There are certainly some interesting scenarios. I have a feeling the NCAA will take the easy way out and have 16's play 17's in the play-in game. So the Sun Belt is likely looking at a play-in game. Having the last few at-large teams play their way in, would set up much more interesting games. If it's about the money maybe it would be considered- certainly 2 BCS schools battling to get in the tournament would attract more TV viewers that Winthrop vs. UAPB.

Let's hope that not only Little Rock, but the entire SBC improves its game this coming season so the SBC won't be in one of the play-in games. There is little doubt however, that if the league plays as poorly as it did this year again next year, we will be in one of those games.

Actually, I'm more concerned that the most likely scenario will simply lead to the Sun Belt dropping one spot in seeding. A 14 seed has a much better chance to win a game then a 15 seed (I know, PTJR, Richmond did it); a 13 has a better chance than a 14, etc. At this point, unless the Belt improves alot, the play-in game (other than an embarrassment) may not be the worst thing- at least, we should get a win and an extra NCAA share out of it.

If they go with what we figure is the easiest route for the NCAA by making the little guys play against each other, I agree that both of the things you point out could happen.

1) Concerning dropping to a 15 seed from a 14 seed, that could easily happen if the SBC doesn't step it up as a league. For whatever reason, other than WKU, and briefly USA, the whole league seems to be in something of a slump as of late.

2) Having the little guys play each other could actually help smaller leagues financially. As you point out, somebody is going to get two credits instead of just the usual one, and if a league can do that consistantly, that league's share of the NCAA pot will increase. This might actually make the NCAA think about one of the other senarios. If there is one thing that is abundantly clear about the BCS type programs, they do not want to share the money with the little guys anymore than they have to.