NCAA, TV talk about bigger men’s tourney

[Cant trust em]

The NCAA has started meeting with broadcasters to explore the media value of expanding the men’s basketball tournament field, industry sources say.

As part of that process, the group also is gauging the feasibility of moving the tournament from broadcast to cable.

Though the discussions are being characterized as preliminary, they shed a light on the NCAA’s thinking as it decides whether to exercise an escape clause in its 11-year, $6 billion deal with CBS, the NCAA’s longtime partner.

CBS has a long-standing relationship with the NCAA, having broadcast the tournament since 1982, and is expected to move aggressively to keep the tournament on its network.



http://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/article/64263

[Dr. Strange]

1. Idiots.

They need to adopt a BCS-style system, and stop relying on the actual games so much.

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

2. Completely disagree on a BCS system for college basketball

I like it when the George Masons or NC States of the world beat much more favored teams. It's what makes March Madness such a treat to me and yet makes the BCS BS so dreadful to witness.

I am not a big fan of expanding the field, but as long as it is inclusive of lesser conferences instead of the Big Easts and ACCs I'd have fewer problems with the idea.

I live for March Madness; it's my favorite sports event here in the U.S. I'd hate to see it become a popularity contest like the BCS.

[taterguy]

4. The only real 'upset' national champions were Big East & ACC Schools

Villanova & NC State.

Every other champion was someone that people expected to contend.

Unless I'm forgetting someone.

[KamaAina]

7. I think the good Doctor forgot something

like this: :sarcasm:

[jakefrep]

3. Dumbest idea ever

There is no team ranked between #65 and #96 that deserves a shot at the national championship. There are already too many crap teams in the tournament.

[la_chupa]

5. I thought that 65th team was stupid enough (nt)

[KamaAina]

6. Indeed. They should have just taken away one at-large bid

really, does anyone care whether the eighth-place team in the Big XII gets in?

[Wapsie B]

8. Ok then end the regular season a month early and throw everyone in.

On second thought that's my suggestion to the NBA.

[jmowreader]

9. Better idea: SMALLER men's tourney

Get rid of all the At Large bullshit. The main reason it's there is to get a Duke-UNC championship game--you don't think Duke and UNC show up on opposite sides of the ladder on accident, do you? There are 31 conferences in Division 1--the Ivy League and 30 conferences that hold tournaments. Take the winner of each conference tourney, the Ivy League Champion and last season's national champion. (If last season's national champion wins this year's conference tournament, the other team in that game represents the conference at the national championship tournament.) Now you've got 32 teams--IOW you start out on the second night of the current first weekend.

Get around the home court rule by having teams play in different parts of the country--the SEC and ACC could play in Seattle, for instance, and the Pac 10 could play in Boston.

After the first weekend there are eight teams left in the tournament. Move to two different cities for the next weekend.

After the second weekend there are two teams left.

Hold the final game in New York City--have a big blowout like NYC is famous for.

This would end the Duke-Carolina thing (unless one school moved to a different conference, that is) but it would make a better tournament.