First of all, I agree with EPSN Radio’s Erik Kuselias in my hatred for the 64/65 play-in game. I agree that the little guys have earned the right to play in the tournament proper, and get their asses handed to them by the likes of Connecticut, Villanova, and Duke. But I also don’t want to reduce the overall number of at-large bids. What to do?
This expands on Kuselias’ idea for the “last two” at-large teams to play. I would make the #12 or 13 seed in each regional a play-in. You take the last 8 at-large teams under consideration for the last 4 bids, and let them fight it out on the court, live doubleheaders on ESPN and ESPN2. The games would be hard-fought, and very good for television. I’d certainly watch. And you could hardly feel bad for them playing the extra games, since it sure beats taking a coin-flip chance to land in the NIT.
My matchups would involve the 3 most deserving teams that didn’t get a bid this year (remember, my scenario bumps one team off the bubble, since both Monmouth and Hampton get “full” 16 seeds) – Cincinnati, Missouri State, and Florida State (plus Air Force, who was presumably the last team in). Match them up against the lowest seeded at-large teams – Bradley, Utah State, Texas A&M, and George Mason. You would have a few teams swap brackets to keep it even. But this would be lots more fun to watch, and more equitable, in my opinion.
Speaking of FSU and Maryland, here’s one angle I haven’t seen discussed yet. Were they the ancillary victims of NC State’s late swoon? Based on how the Pack has played, it’s hard to justify giving us more than a 9 or 10 seed. But you can’t drop NC State for FSU or Maryland – both of whom lost to NC State (FSU did so convincingly), finished worse in the conference, with fewer solid OOC wins (State beat both GW and Alabama). And major conferences don’t usually get multiple 9-12 seeds. The Terps and Noles are clearly worse than NC State, which wasn’t a problem when we looked like a 4-6 seed. But being worse than a team barely hanging on for a 10 seed? Next…
And this isn’t NCAAT-related, but still worth discussing. ESPN’s Mike and Mike talked with yet another Mike (Davis, lame duck Indiana coach) this morning. They went on about how Davis did right by his kids in finishing the season (unlike Quin Snyder), and Davis seemed at peace with the situation, noting that it was so much easier for the players to concentrate on the games without worrying about student/alumni protests, etc. What was odd about all of this? No mention of Indiana fans being “crazy” or “morons.” And this is a coach who has made a national final. Of course, Indiana basketball is one of those “country club elite” programs that the MSM allow to have high expectations for success.
