If nine teams from the Big Ten belong in the tournament, then that's what they are to do. Doesn't matter if nine teams from Pluto belong in the tournament; if that is indeed the case, then the committee exists to put them in. Otherwise, that committee isn't doing its job, and should be replaced.
I understand about the AQ thing, Medill; however, roughly half the field is made up of at-large teams. In a typical year, there are about six Big Ten teams that are obvious choices. What I'm saying is that if three other Big Ten teams deserve selection, then that's what should happen. In and of itself, "We already have eight teams from the Big Ten" is NOT a valid reason to exclude a ninth.
Auto bids have a hge impact on this making very hard to get that many in. Basically you have to have a 0.500 in conference or it is hard to justify the conversation. And it is tough to get 9 teams with a 0.500 or better record in conference.
Absolutely right, Hdhntr, and that's exactly my point -- it may well be mathematically improbable, but if we DID have nine deserving teams, then nine should get in. All I'm saying is that there's no place for reasoning along the lines of, "We've already got enough Big Ten teams" if there are more that are deserving, and the at-large spots exist. Hard to deny, though, that a hell of a lot of things would have to fall just right in order to have a case for nine teams getting in. Love to see it, though.
