By Chris Hine
CHAMPAIGN -- If the NCAA tournament expands its field, as has been speculated in recent months, Illinois coach Bruce Weber gladly would go along with the change.
For one thing, it would make seasons like this one -- when the Illini are fighting for their tournament lives in seemingly every game -- a little less stressful.
CHAMPAIGN -- If the NCAA tournament expands its field, as has been speculated in recent months, Illinois coach Bruce Weber gladly would go along with the change.
For one thing, it would make seasons like this one -- when the Illini are fighting for their tournament lives in seemingly every game -- a little less stressful.
"Selfishly I think as a coaching profession, there's so much
pressure on you to get into the tournament, if you don't get in, you're
a failure," Weber said Monday. "So, I think it would help keep jobs, it
would maybe stabilize some programs, so I am definitely for it. I think
most of our coaching profession is."
Weber said that he would like to see a system that allowed for four play-in games, which would allow six more teams access to the tournament, but would not be opposed to a format that allowed a whopping 32 more teams into the field. He added that there has been "a little movement to expand."
"They talk so much about the NCAA that it's about the student-athlete ... well, one of the greatest experiences any student-athlete can do is to be part of the NCAA tournament, so wouldn't you want more kids involved in it?" Weber said.
Weber said that he would like to see a system that allowed for four play-in games, which would allow six more teams access to the tournament, but would not be opposed to a format that allowed a whopping 32 more teams into the field. He added that there has been "a little movement to expand."
"They talk so much about the NCAA that it's about the student-athlete ... well, one of the greatest experiences any student-athlete can do is to be part of the NCAA tournament, so wouldn't you want more kids involved in it?" Weber said.
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Chris Hine is a great sportswriter. I appreciate his insights.
I truly hope this rumor is nothing more than propaganda being spewed by the liberal media.
Jason: Your one-sentence ad hominem shots might sting instead of being funny if you wrote consistently in singular or plural. You write like a Kansas grad. Go look up ad hominem.
If by stability he means extending the life of mid-major coaches who have no business heading a big-time program, then yes, the expanded field does make sense.
I think it might make sense to do one of three things:
- Add 3 more play-in games (3 more bubble teams make it)
- Link the NIT to the tournament. Perhaps give the NITs a bid into the round of 16. - That would mean the NCAA Tourney is reduced to 60 teams (I'd eliminate the play-in game), but the 32 in the NIT get a shot at the Big Dance, and it gives people a reason to watch the NIT.
- Expand the tournament to 96 teams and eliminate the NIT. It essentially adds a week to the Tourney, and makes the top 32 positions highly coveted. Spot 32 vs Spot 33 becomes the new "bubble" zone and source of controversy for the selection committee.
I think if they go to four play in games, only 3 more teams would make the tournament, no? Since presumably the six teams would be playing for the 16th seed in each bracket (which currently gets seeded), six teams would be playing for three slots. In other words 68 teams would participate instead of the current 65.