New HL Tournament Format

[wh]

In an attempt to be more constructive about my criticism of the current tournament format, I would like to offer up a possible alternative approach for everyone’s consideration. Here is my proposal for what I sincerely believe to be a better tournament format:

• Only the top 6 seeds are eligible
• Tournament is held over 3 consecutive days at the venue of the #1 seed
• Day 1 – Quarterfinals (Seeds 3-6 --- 2 games)
• Day 2 – Semi-finals (Quarterfinal winners vs. 1&2 seeds --- 2 games)
• Day 3 – Championship game

Advantages over current format (IMO)

• Round 1 of the current format is in effect eliminated. This eliminates my biggest criticism that the 3-6 seeds are unfairly abused by the current process.
• The No.1 and 2 seeds still have a distinct advantage. They still only have to win 2 games. Their semi-final opponents are still leg weary from playing the previous day. The No.1 seed is still hosting.
• Eliminating current round 1 games eliminates the time, expense, and wear and tear on teams, including criss-crossing multiple states, scheduling games at the last minute, making last minute hotel arrangements, extending player’s time away from the classroom, and playing in front of small, disinterested fan bases.
• Everything the current process reportedly is designed to protect (sending the best team to the NCAA tournament, protecting RPI’s, etc.) remains intact.
• Last, but not least, I think this format not only saves a lot of unnecessary expense, holding the tournament at one SCHOOL-BASED location over 3 consecutive days has the potential to attract a lot of fans from the 5 visiting schools and provide successful image the conference is looking for.

Disadvantages over current format:

• IMO it is always good to include all 10 teams. I just don’t see a way of making that happen and still remedy problems with the current format.
• If the No.1 seed loses its semi-final game, the remaining highest seed doesn’t get to host the championship game.

On balance I think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. Any thoughts?

[indyvalpo]

See the Big Sky......I am pretty sure that is their format.

Above everything else, I like a one site tourney. Like STL, it is what I miss about the Mid-Con.

[valpo89]

I'd be in favor of the format, but you could make it Saturday-Sunday-Tuesday and still have the top seed host the final if No. 1 loses. How many open seats would there be in Milwaukee for a VU-Butler final? ESPN seems to like the Tuesday night time slot for the Horizon as well.

[drewsaders11]

That essentially is the Big Sky tournament. The only tidbit of info that was missed is that there is reseeding between the first and second round...so the 1 seed would never play the 3 seed, or 2 would never play 6. I really like the idea. I think it makes sense, too. 60% of the teams are in, and honestly, the bottom 40% would win the tourney probably less than 10% of the time. I'm in favor of a bracket like this.

[blackpantheruwm]

I don't like formats that eliminate conference teams. If you can find a way to work in the bottom four teams, I think I'd be for it.

[stlvufan]

Mar 4, 2011 12:16:24 GMT -5 blackpantheruwm said:

I don't like formats that eliminate conference teams. If you can find a way to work in the bottom four teams, I think I'd be for it.

Include 7-10 and you have the HL women's tournament.

[valpotentate]

Mar 4, 2011 10:55:45 GMT -5 valpo89 said:

I'd be in favor of the format, but you could make it Saturday-Sunday-Tuesday and still have the top seed host the final if No. 1 loses. How many open seats would there be in Milwaukee for a VU-Butler final? ESPN seems to like the Tuesday night time slot for the Horizon as well.

I think this would have to be part of it. No one wants a championship game with no local support.

[kl31ny]

Came up with this idea just to have another format to kick around. Any comments (positive or negative) are encouraged.

First Round (campus venues), Tuesday

Game 1 -- #8 seed at #7 seed
Game 2 -- #9 seed at #6 seed
Game 3 -- #10 seed at #5 seed

Quarterfinals (#1 seed hosts), Friday

Game 4 -- Game 1 winner vs. #2 seed
Game 5 -- Game 2 winner vs. #3 seed
Game 6 -- Game 3 winner vs. #4 seed

Semifinals (#1 seed hosts), Sunday

Game 7 -- Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner
Game 8 -- Game 6 winner vs. #1 seed

Championship (at venue of highest remaining seed), Tuesday

Game 9 --Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner
***************************************************
My personal thoughts on this format. First the positives (at least what I think are positives):

• First round bye for the first FOUR teams, giving #3 and #4 a little reward, while keeping the #1 seed in the catbird seat with the double bye.
  
• Other than the bump for #3 and #4 and its implications, it's not too different than the current tournament format. Small changes tend to be better than larger ones. Plus, Championship Tuesday is still around for an ESPN telecast.
  
• Giving an extra day between quarters and semis allows the remaining teams a little rest before their next games.
  

The negatives:

• No more double bye for No. 2. Only the top dog remains idle into the semifinals.
  
• Three games in one day at one site for the quarterfinals is a little less than ideal. That likely means a really early game or a really late game in the mix.
  
• The tournament still lasts eight days total and can remain a drag for teams that start on the first Tuesday. Also, a championship game not at the #1 seed's home would be an extra travel hassle with the semifinals on Sunday.
  

Again, it's something different and another interesting option to discuss. Let the debate continue...