Re-seeding the NCAA Regions-Brackets after each weekend

[UKWildcats#8]

I've thought this is a good idea for a while (although the NCAA will never do it), but what does everyone think?

For example, in 2012 after the round of 32, in UK's bracket they would have got the lowest seed remaining, Xavier, while IU and Baylor battled it out with UK getting the winner in the Elite 8...instead of having to beat both. This was a case of Baylor clearly getting the easier opponent.

In 2011, #1 overall OSU had to face a tough UK team that was NOT a true 4 seed, while 2 seed UNC got a cupcake 11 seed Marquette.

In 2014, FL had to battle a 4 seed in UCLA while a 10 seed Stanford, and 11 seed Dayton battled it out in the other Sweet 16 game. Now FL, like UK, still won the region, but still.

And re-seeding after the Elite 8...

2011 Final Four would have been UK vs. Butler and UCONN vs. VCU. That would have most likely given us the true national title game of UK vs. UCONN in the actual title game instead of the semifinals, and maybe with one game under their belts UK would have shot better on Monday evening.

2012 would have been the same.

2014 would have been UK vs. FL, and Wisconsin vs. UCONN. The funny thing is, in this scenario you can easily make the argument we would have had a FL vs. Wisconsin title game, but who knows.

I'm bored the day before our game...so go easy fellas. I know it will never happen, but I think it would improve the tournament product. I guess Auburn winning today got me thinking about this bigger picture, as it appears LSU gets the easier opponent tomorrow on paper.

 

[mjj_2K]

If the NCAA were a professional league, that would make sense, because the championship playoff/tournament for a professional league is supposed to be designed the reward the very best team. That's not really what the NCAA Tournament is about. It's designed to be a fair shot for everyone, but the definition of "fair" in relation to the tourney includes a significant amount of luck.

I think that they like it that way, and honestly, it is part of the appeal. If you re-seed like that, it pretty much guarantees that you won't see schools like Butler/VCU 2011 (Butler 2010 was a 5 seed, so it might not have been that different for them), or George Mason 2006 in the FF. Close to 50% of regional finals are either 1 vs 2 or 1 vs 3, so there is a nice balance between chalk and Cinderella runs.

 

[UKWildcats#8]

Originally posted by mj2k10:
If the NCAA were a professional league, that would make sense, because the championship playoff/tournament for a professional league is supposed to be designed the reward the very best team. That's not really what the NCAA Tournament is about. It's designed to be a fair shot for everyone, but the definition of "fair" in relation to the tourney includes a significant amount of luck.

I think that they like it that way, and honestly, it is part of the appeal. If you re-seed like that, it pretty much guarantees that you won't see schools like Butler/VCU 2011 (Butler 2010 was a 5 seed, so it might not have been that different for them), or George Mason 2006 in the FF. Close to 50% of regional finals are either 1 vs 2 or 1 vs 3, so there is a nice balance between chalk and Cinderella runs.

Good points. And yeah, I realized after posting I was cherry picking...as Butler and VCU may not have made it, or any of those teams I listed, to the Final Four under the other format.

I'd argue it is not fair at present anyways with the geography preferences...but I guess that part is "fair" to the NCAA so we have to deal with it.

 

[gossie21_rivals69805]

That's probably a bit much. But re-seeding for the Final Four makes sense. That way we don't run into a situation like in 2011 when UConn and Kentucky played for what was in essence the Championship, with VCU and Butler playing on the other side.

 

[UKWildcats#8]

Originally posted by gossie21:
That's probably a bit much. But re-seeding for the Final Four makes sense. That way we don't run into a situation like in 2011 when UConn and Kentucky played for what was in essence the Championship, with VCU and Butler playing on the other side.

Good points. I am fine with your option...as 2011 was unwatchable after UK was eliminated. Butler of 2011 was not Butler of 2010.

 

[KingOfBBN]

Nope. That would destroy one of the coolest things about March Madness and kill everyone participating in bracket pools.

 

[marshalfan]

No, no no

 

[Saguaro Cat]

Originally posted by HeismanWildcat85:
Nope. That would destroy one of the coolest things about March Madness and kill everyone participating in bracket pools.

THIS TIMES A MILLION. I don't understand why people want to sacrifice large amounts of entertainment for 1% subjective "fairness". Hey,I have an idea. To prevent fans from affecting the refs, all games have to be played in empty stadiums with all plays stopped after a basket to check instant replay. And each games has two weeks in between so everyone is playing at 100% with longer delays for injuries. Hack make it for out of seven game series.

We don't need to eliminate automatic qualifiers. We don't need to invite 128 teams. We don't need to eliminate the west region. We don't need to eliminate sub 500 conference teams. The NCAA tournament is awesome, let's not ruin it with Big changes for piddly results.