Key MAC Hoops Tournament Meeting Monday

A while back I blogged on potential changes to the MAC tournament, based on an article by Doug Zaleski in the Muncie Star-Press. I thought he made some pretty good arguments why the men's and women's tournament should be in different cities and why only 8 teams should advance to the final venue.

The meeting to decide all this is coming up on Monday, and Elton Alexander of the Plain Dealer is on board to disagree with half of Zaleski's analysis. He is fine with moving the women's tournament to the new Lucas County Arena, but is against the idea of having first round games on home sights.

In my opinion, his best argument is the prevalence of tie-breakers, and how the wrong side of arcane math could leave you with a road game in the first round. Home teams in the MAC win 70% of the games.

I'm less persuaded by the alumni events or the advertising. He does note that MAC coaches and ADs are strongly in favor of keeping the 12 team format.