Buy or Sell: The Play-In Game
OK...finally back from Montana after a long train-ride last night and I'm tired and sore and wanna talk some NCAA Tourney. Specifically I want to talk about the play-in game.
A lot of people want to abolish the play-in game altogether. They think that there is no point especially since no 16 seed as ever beaten a #1. Personally, I don't even look at the teams playing because it really doesn't matter. See but this is the problem that most people make.
This year's play-in game is between Niagara and Florida A&M. Now like I said before I feel that it really doesn't matter the outcome of the game but I along with everyone else who takes this stance is WRONG. You can't tell the players on Florida A&M and Niagara that their game doesn't matter. Sure it matters; it matters a lot! The winner of the game can tell their kids some day that they won a game in the NCAA tournament. That's worth something isn't it! Now, beyond that I don't see much but people need to recognize that this is indeed something.
Those who wish to abolish the play-in game say that it doesn't really matter and that it generates no revenue and is just a waste of time. These people desire to see the field cut down to an original 64. It needs to be realized though that this cuts down 1 at large bid. Now, here is my solution. I say you have 4 play-in games instead of just one! Yes, you heard me...4 play-in games. This would fix their revenue generating problem. Plus, I love the tournament so I'm always up for a little expansion, because I can't get enough.
So, we make 4 play-in games. This gives 6 more teams a shot. These spots could be given to larger schools from power conferences who's bubbles were "burst" on selection Sunday. This would also create the possibility of better and more mainstreamed teams playing against the #1 seeds, in turn drawing more attention to the 1 vs. 16 match-up.
So I probably won't watch Niagara vs. Florida A&M, nor will I watch the winner play against my beloved Jayhawks. But who knows, maybe some day a 16 will beat a #1 seed? However I do know that if there were 4 play-in games that the match ups would be a lot more interesting and we could begin the madness even sooner. So my verdict is: keep the play-in game; and if you are considering anything, consider expanding the play-in games to 4 and getting the madness going just a little earlier.
Any thoughts?
10 comments:
For anyone wondering my pick is Niagara...If it matters...
Eventually I believe maybe in 15-20 years a 16 seed will beat a 1 seed. It has to happen at some point.
i think they should do the 4 play-in games that would be cool. But have all mid majors in them. And put the major conference bubble teams that didn't get in at another seed. Just so it gives more of an advantage to the 1 seeds, because they deserve it.
Yea see that's where i was going with this kinda.
1) The play in games would be actually fun to watch
2) Increases the competition in the 16 vs. 1 games
3) you get those teams like Iowa, Alabama, Syracuse, West Virginia, Clemson, Kansas St., and FSU spicing up the play-in games and giving the 1 seeds a more interesting matchup.
4) The more teams the merrier - I love March Madness!
I'm buying play in games, but expand it to a mini tourney of four teams.
I hate the play-in game... get rid of another at-large and get it back to 64 teams... was Florida A&M really in the Tourney? Technically yes, but it probably doesn't really feel like it to them.
Sure..."was Florida A&M really in hte Trouney? Technically yes, but it probably doesn't reallyfeel like it to them" OK..BUT, was Niagara in the Tourney? Yes, and even though my Jayhawks should throttle them in the 1st round they can now say that not only were they in the Tourney, but that they also can say that they won a game in the tournament!
So yes you can talk about what it feels like for Florida A&M, but you should also adress what it feels like for Niagara right now.
Put yourself in the players' shoes.
I think there should be a play in game for the bubble teams. If a team wins their confrence, they deserve to be in the field of 64. Have the playin game for a 13 or 12 seed, such as a Syracuse and Arkansas match. Drexel could even be in the game.
I just don't understand why conference champs have to play in it. They've done their part, they've run the gauntlet in their tournament. Let them in.
good point
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