Basketball Time

I rarely follow college or pro basketball until playoff time. That time is now.

As I mentioned in this post, the NCAA has predictably been most disrespectful to many teams in the tournament this year... most notably Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Winthrop who WON their conference championships - GUARANTEEING them a tournament berth.

Many other teams were unable to win their conference to earn an automatic bid, and had to gain entry to the tournament via an invitation at-large - based on the hopes of a few people within the NCAA championship selection committee that their presence would liven up the tournament.

For those who will not read my previous post, I suggest the NCAA seed the Conference Champions never any lower than a 12 seed. The play-in game should be between the two last at-large bids.

I really think they should give seeds out, in order based on conference RPI - meaning that conference champions would have the seeds from #1 - #8 only. Then start awarding the last two #8 seeds, and all others thereafter, in order of team's place in the top 25 poll, then RPI standings.

That would make for some dynamic #8 vs. #9 match-ups in the first round, and some excellent second-round games, too.

And the small schools, like my beloved UTC, would be able to get a fair shake and win a few games more often than once a quarter-century.

The best thing is, the best school each year would still win the championship.