Cronin will return next year

[swg]

If Thomas is not going to make a switch at this time (which I've not heard), then there should be no more pressure on MC than before). Since he likely is the coach next year, we'll support him, but I'm sure he realizes that the bar needs to be raised. He can't have another .500 BE record, and not make the tourney.

 

[ralph1950]

If Thomas is not going to make a switch at this time (which I've not heard), then there should be no more pressure on MC than before). Since he likely is the coach next year, we'll support him, but I'm sure he realizes that the bar needs to be raised. He can't have another .500 BE record, and not make the tourney.

In my opinion, it is greater than a 50% chance (show me the money!) that the NCAA Tourney will expand to 96 teams next season with the NIT being put out of existence. I have no doubts about UC making a 96 team NCAA Tourney field next season.

 

[bearcat jeff]

In my opinion, it is greater than a 50% chance (show me the money!) that the NCAA Tourney will expand to 96 teams next season with the NIT being put out of existence. I have no doubts about UC making a 96 team NCAA Tourney field next season.

Lord I hope not. It will water down the tourney and render the regular season virtually useless. That would mean 1/3 of the D1 teams make the NCAA. Why not just let everybody in?

Also, that is lowering the bar. This team isn't far away from being a pretty good team. 11 losses by 8 or less points, 6 by 4 or less. Had this team had some player leadership, it easily could have won 25 games. If the players will hold each other accountable they could move to a whole new level.

 

[ucdave]

Lord I hope not. It will water down the tourney and render the regular season virtually useless. That would mean 1/3 of the D1 teams make the NCAA. Why not just let everybody in?

Also, that is lowering the bar. This team isn't far away from being a pretty good team. 11 losses by 8 or less points, 6 by 4 or less. Had this team had some player leadership, it easily could have won 25 games. If the players will hold each other accountable they could move to a whole new level.

I agree with everything you say Jeff, but I think its almost a certainty that it will happen. I hope it doesn't either, but I believe Ralph is right.

 

[ralph1950]

Lord I hope not. It will water down the tourney and render the regular season virtually useless. That would mean 1/3 of the D1 teams make the NCAA. Why not just let everybody in?

Also, that is lowering the bar. This team isn't far away from being a pretty good team. 11 losses by 8 or less points, 6 by 4 or less. Had this team had some player leadership, it easily could have won 25 games. If the players will hold each other accountable they could move to a whole new level.

The NIT, which is owned by the NCAA, loses money every year. The NCAA does not like to lose money. If the NCAA opts out of the remaining years of the CBS contract and puts the Tourney up for bid it is 99% it will be bid as a 96 team tourney.

It will make the tourney more competitive and make a 16 beating a 1 likely as that 16 will now be the 64th best team. First round matchup will be # 33 vs # 96, etc. Say it was this year. Instead of Kansas playing Lehigh this year in the first round, Kansas gets a first round bye, but their first game is against the winner of the #64 vs #65 game, which is say UC vs Virginia Tech for example. The tourney gets more competitive for the field of 64 because the weak one bid conference teams are eliminated during the #33 vs #96 opening round. When you look at it this way it does not look so watered down but much improved as the final 64 teams will theoretically be the best 64 teams and not the watered down 65 team field you have now.

 

[UCEE73]

It will make the tourney more competitive and make a 16 beating a 1 likely as that 16 will now be the 64th best team. First round matchup will be # 33 vs # 96, etc. Say it was this year. Instead of Kansas playing Lehigh this year in the first round, Kansas gets a first round bye, but their first game is against the winner of the #64 vs #65 game, which is say UC vs Virginia Tech for example. The tourney gets more competitive for the field of 64 because the weak one bid conference teams are eliminated during the #33 vs #96 opening round. When you look at it this way it does not look so watered down but much improved as the final 64 teams will theoretically be the best 64 teams and not the watered down 65 team field you have now.

Ralph, excellent observation!

I hadn't thought much about how the current 16th seeds from Northwestern East Southern Valley conference championships are really down-market from any team in a power conference.

After mulling over your position, I agree wholeheartedly that 96 teams would be a net improvement in the field after the mandatory conference winners are eliminated in the 1st round.

 

[bearcat jeff]

The NIT, which is owned by the NCAA, loses money every year. The NCAA does not like to lose money. If the NCAA opts out of the remaining years of the CBS contract and puts the Tourney up for bid it is 99% it will be bid as a 96 team tourney.

It will make the tourney more competitive and make a 16 beating a 1 likely as that 16 will now be the 64th best team. First round matchup will be # 33 vs # 96, etc. Say it was this year. Instead of Kansas playing Lehigh this year in the first round, Kansas gets a first round bye, but their first game is against the winner of the #64 vs #65 game, which is say UC vs Virginia Tech for example. The tourney gets more competitive for the field of 64 because the weak one bid conference teams are eliminated during the #33 vs #96 opening round. When you look at it this way it does not look so watered down but much improved as the final 64 teams will theoretically be the best 64 teams and not the watered down 65 team field you have now.

If the tournament is expanded Ralph it is purely for money and further exploitation of these young men. You can strengthen the tournament simply by making the regular season champion of each league the NCAA rep. That will allow true at large teams to play in the field of 64. The leagues have that power. They can designate who represents their league. The play in game is already a joke. Our Lady of Perpetual Motion vs. Northeast West Southern instead of two teams that were bubble teams from larger conferences. The fact of the matter is reduction of scholarships and the one and done rule has brought parity to college basketball to some degree, but to add another 32 teams does nothing for the product that is the NCAA Tournament. It does water it down.