I think they would give the 1-4 seeds a bye, and then have 5 play 20, 6-19, 7-18, 8-17, etc. If you have more teams in "play-in" games than not, it's really a bye. (No one does this, but you could technically call the first round of the NFL Playoffs "Play-in games").
On an editorial note, I don't really think that this is a good idea. Even considering that they're going to have to add at least 1, probably 2 or 3 auto-bids in the next 10-15 years (as they add more teams to D1 that form up new conferences), going to 80 teams still means increasing the number of at-large teams from 34 to almost 50. Even if the NIT dies a slow death, do we really need to add those teams to the Big Dance? I have no problem with adding more play-ins for #1 seeds as D1 grows, but we shouldn't need to go above 68 teams for at least 20 years.
There are actually 16 in the Big East right now (don't get me started on the problems with that) but we're really not talking about adding EVERY team from the major conferences...more like 1-2 per conference, plus a handful of stray mid-majors.
The NCAA Tourney: now with more teams you've never heard of than ever!
On an editorial note, I don't really think that this is a good idea. Even considering that they're going to have to add at least 1, probably 2 or 3 auto-bids in the next 10-15 years (as they add more teams to D1 that form up new conferences), going to 80 teams still means increasing the number of at-large teams from 34 to almost 50. Even if the NIT dies a slow death, do we really need to add those teams to the Big Dance? I have no problem with adding more play-ins for #1 seeds as D1 grows, but we shouldn't need to go above 68 teams for at least 20 years.
Billy Packer would fulfill his dream of seeing every ACC team in the NCAA tournament. Even in its expanded role.
All 14 (?) teams from the Big East will go.
Washington State? Pack your bags you're going to the dance!
What if there were a guaranteed UTEP slot?
Comment status: comments have been closed. Baseball Toaster is now out of business.