MBB | More madness? Jim Boeheim is one of many who wants to expand the Tournament
By Brian Tahmosh
Posted: 3/27/08, 1:07 AM EST Section: Sports
Had it been a few years ago, Maryland head coach Gary Williams said he could have rested easy on Selection Sunday.
But it was 2008, and his team's 18-14 record, 8-8 in the Atlantic Coast Conference, no longer warranted an NCAA bid.
Not necessarily impressive numbers, especially considering the Terrapins lost in the first round of the ACC tournament, all but dooming their NCAA hopes. Even so, Williams maintained such a resume would have been enough for a Tournament berth in the past.
"It used to be if you go 8-8 in the ACC you're in," Williams said. "But that doesn't necessarily hold true anymore."
Maryland settled for an NIT berth and eventual matchup with Syracuse, another team with a .500 conference record after going 9-9 in the Big East. The Orange ended Maryland's season, 88-72, last Thursday.
Williams and SU head coach Jim Boeheim are at the center of a movement among several NCAA coaches to increase the size of the current 65-team Tournament field. They argue the rise in the number of Division I teams has increased the number of teams worthy of NCAA Tournament consideration. The growth has played a role in relegating power conference schools like Syracuse and Maryland to the NIT.
Since 1985 - the last time the tournament was expanded, from 53 to 64 teams - the number of Division I basketball programs has increased from 282 to 334.
"Each time it was expanded, it was expanded because there weren't enough spots for the number of teams in the Tournament," Williams said. "And now I think we've reached another point as we go along here in college basketball where there are many more teams good enough to play in the NCAA Tournament. And to hold teams out just because there aren't enough spots isn't a good enough reason."
Williams isn't alone. Some coaches and analysts, such as former Texas Tech headman and coaching legend Bob Knight, have suggested doubling the size of the NCAA Tournament to 128 teams to solve the problem.
But it was 2008, and his team's 18-14 record, 8-8 in the Atlantic Coast Conference, no longer warranted an NCAA bid.
Not necessarily impressive numbers, especially considering the Terrapins lost in the first round of the ACC tournament, all but dooming their NCAA hopes. Even so, Williams maintained such a resume would have been enough for a Tournament berth in the past.
"It used to be if you go 8-8 in the ACC you're in," Williams said. "But that doesn't necessarily hold true anymore."
Maryland settled for an NIT berth and eventual matchup with Syracuse, another team with a .500 conference record after going 9-9 in the Big East. The Orange ended Maryland's season, 88-72, last Thursday.
Williams and SU head coach Jim Boeheim are at the center of a movement among several NCAA coaches to increase the size of the current 65-team Tournament field. They argue the rise in the number of Division I teams has increased the number of teams worthy of NCAA Tournament consideration. The growth has played a role in relegating power conference schools like Syracuse and Maryland to the NIT.
Since 1985 - the last time the tournament was expanded, from 53 to 64 teams - the number of Division I basketball programs has increased from 282 to 334.
"Each time it was expanded, it was expanded because there weren't enough spots for the number of teams in the Tournament," Williams said. "And now I think we've reached another point as we go along here in college basketball where there are many more teams good enough to play in the NCAA Tournament. And to hold teams out just because there aren't enough spots isn't a good enough reason."
Williams isn't alone. Some coaches and analysts, such as former Texas Tech headman and coaching legend Bob Knight, have suggested doubling the size of the NCAA Tournament to 128 teams to solve the problem.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Scott
posted 3/27/08 @ 6:36 AM EST
The tournament is perfect as is. The ones whining are the ones on the bubble a fairly regular basis. Part of the appeal of the tournement is the success of the little guys, the Sienas, the Davidsons, the George Masons that are competing. (Continued…)
student
posted 3/27/08 @ 9:15 AM EST
I think the tournament would be better if there were no "automatic" bids. You win your conference tournament? Great, let the committee decide if that's enough to get you in the tournament. (Continued…)
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