Several sports analysts and fans are advocating for changes to the NCAA Tournament format, suggesting that only at-large teams should participate in the First Four games in Dayton. They argue that conference tournament champions should not have to play in the First Four, with proposals to reserve these games for at-large teams to enhance the quality of matchups and provide better opportunities for one-bid champs. The debate also includes ideas to expand the number of First Four sites to accommodate more at-large bubble teams.
An annual reminder that no conference tournament champs should have to play in the First Four. It should be all at-larges, no AQs. (And if the tournament is ever forced to expand, add more First Four sites so more at-large bubble teams play each other on Tuesday & Wednesday).
This 16-on-16 action in the First Four has been hugely compelling, but no, conference tournament champions should not have to go to Dayton.
I've become a NCAA Tournament contractionist. Go back to 64. Or at least make the First Four completely out of at-large teams. The small-conference 16-seed AQs should get to experience the real NCAA Tournament.
First things first. A conference tournament winner should not have to play in Dayton. One of the national guys, I forget which one, had a good idea: Final 8 at-large teams go to Dayton. https://t.co/QpLDbo1YYl
My First Four take is that it should be only at-large teams. The auto-bids won their conferences and earned the spots. Would give us better standalone games on Tuesday/Wednesday, and give more winnable games to the best one-bid champs who would get bumped up a seed line https://t.co/S4vGRi5EZR