New Format for Basketball Tournaments

Well, the MAC went off and did something I like.  Who knew?

Anyway, above are the new brackets for the MAC basketball tournaments--both men's and women's--though I am going to talk Men's here.  As you can see, the top two teams move directly to the semi-finals and the next two move directly to the quarter finals.  Most pleasing and surprising of all is that the seeding will be done regardless of division.  So, if a team from one division ends up winning with a 9-7 record, they would be seeded accordingly and not just leap to #2, as in the past.

I love this format.  Most of all, it creates real meaning for the regular season.  A team that hits the top two seeds significantly increases their chances of making the Big Dance--not only do they need to win twice, but they will be (at a minimum) playing a team that played the night before and maybe playing a team on their third game in three nights.  It will inject a lot more drama into the regular season.  The difference between being #4 and #5 is pretty huge.

Yet, it could happen.  It doesn't stop a team like OU, or #6 Akron, from making the run.  It just lets team earn an easier road.

Good on ya, MAC.