Play In Game Complaint

3,762 Views | 27 Replies | Last: 1 yr ago by dgb99
CapCityAg89
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8:18a, 3/17/25
AG
My annual *****- those 16 seeds have earned their way to the tournament and their spot getting beat by 1 seeds. I HATE that we then make them play on Wednesday against each other. With the annual "last 4" argument that's been around forever, I like that mids from big conferences play for a chance to be an 11 or 12 so I'm not opposed to the idea of play in. It's just not in the spirit of this tournament (win you league and you're in).

Sorry. Done now.
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bobinator
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In reply to CapCityAg89 • 8:32a, 3/17/25
AG
Agree, said that since they expanded to 68. When they expand to 72 or whatever they're planning next they should make all of the play-in games be the bubble teams and not the conference champions.
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NyAggie
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In reply to bobinator • 8:38a, 3/17/25
AG
bobinator said:
Agree, said that since they expanded to 68. When they expand to 72 or whatever they're planning next they should make all of the play-in games be the bubble teams and not the conference champions.


Agreed

Let the cinderellas have their moment

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bobinator
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In reply to NyAggie • 8:48a, 3/17/25
AG
This is with the usual caveat that there's no financial benefit for these teams to play in the play-in game.

I could see an argument, one the small schools might agree with, for having all of the small conference champions be the play-in games but only if they're financially compensated for it in some way.
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BQ_90
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8:55a, 3/17/25
AG
well is there a different payout for play in game compared to playing in the first round or whatever they call it now
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CapCityAg89
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In reply to bobinator • 9:03a, 3/17/25
AG
AD is the only one who would care. The coaches and kids want to play in the big arena, compete against the big school, be listed in the bracket, show up to the press conferences, all the trappings. It flat sucks they get relegated to Dayton, check or no.
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Goat Man
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11:59a, 3/17/25
AG
Does anyone watch the Dayton games outside of fans of the teams in the games? I love March Madness but can't recall ever watching any of these games, almost out of spite.
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The Collective
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In reply to Goat Man • 12:01p, 3/17/25
AG
Goat Man said:
Does anyone watch the Dayton games outside of fans of the teams in the games? I love March Madness but can't recall ever watching any of these games, almost out of spite.


I might have accidentally watched them, but it feels like the NIT to me for some reason. Hey - there's an idea. Do these play-in games, winner goes to the NCAAT... loser has to go to the NIT.
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bobinator
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In reply to The Collective • 12:04p, 3/17/25
AG
I usually watch them, it's like an appetizer before the big meal.
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NyAggie
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In reply to Goat Man • 12:07p, 3/17/25
AG
Goat Man said:
Does anyone watch the Dayton games outside of fans of the teams in the games? I love March Madness but can't recall ever watching any of these games, almost out of spite.


I've watched pieces of them but they are largely a waste

Don't really understand why they even exist
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ColleyvilleAg06
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12:07p, 3/17/25
AG
I will have the unpopular opinion of disagreeing here. Particularly with conference realignment and now having a bunch of 16 and 18 team super conferences… I am ok with some of the smaller schools not getting a break.

The MEAC, Ivy, NEC and others only have 8 teams in their conference. I am not suggesting they have to merge because I get the travel cost component but I am ok limiting the number of auto bids that advance to the round of 64 to normalize and weed out a few. Some of these conference champions only won 2 games to punch their ticket, and both those games were vs. teams 250+.

I would be in favor of just having 64 in but with 68 I am fine with 2 games of 16v16.
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bobinator
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In reply to NyAggie • 12:12p, 3/17/25
AG
Quote:
Don't really understand why they even exist
Want to take a wild guess?

You're right! It's money. Specifically, when some new conferences were added to D1 a few years ago, the big money conferences and stakeholders did not want to lose any at-large spots to the tournament, so they just added more play-in slots.

But, that said, I think an all at-large play in series actually has some TV value. Surely most of us are going to watch Texas vs Xavier and North Carolina vs SDSU. Make all four of the play-in games those types of games.
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bobinator
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In reply to ColleyvilleAg06 • 12:16p, 3/17/25
AG
I think there's a two-fold reason I'm for the small conference champions getting direct slots in the field of 64.

- The obvious one is that's the magic of this whole deal right? They did their part and won the MEAC or whatever and now they get a big swing at one of the titans of the sport. It's why this tournament is one of the most popular sporting events on the planet.

- This one isn't talked about enough but letting these small conferences fill the 13-14-15-16 lines actually incentivizes the regular season somewhat which is something college basketball desperately needs. If you want to play a SWAC team in the first round of March Madness instead of North Carolina you need to go win games.
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NyAggie
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In reply to bobinator • 12:36p, 3/17/25
AG
bobinator said:
I think there's a two-fold reason I'm for the small conference champions getting direct slots in the field of 64.

- The obvious one is that's the magic of this whole deal right? They did their part and won the MEAC or whatever and now they get a big swing at one of the titans of the sport. It's why this tournament is one of the most popular sporting events on the planet.

- This one isn't talked about enough but letting these small conferences fill the 13-14-15-16 lines actually incentivizes the regular season somewhat which is something college basketball desperately needs. If you want to play a SWAC team in the first round of March Madness instead of North Carolina you need to go win games.


Completely agree on both points
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Sq 17
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12:41p, 3/17/25
Conference champs should nt be playing in the first 4

Yes it works this way because of money I am curious if anyone will come in and take the other side of the argument
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greg.w.h
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In reply to The Collective • 12:57p, 3/17/25
AG
The Collective said:
Goat Man said:
Does anyone watch the Dayton games outside of fans of the teams in the games? I love March Madness but can't recall ever watching any of these games, almost out of spite.


I might have accidentally watched them, but it feels like the NIT to me for some reason. Hey - there's an idea. Do these play-in games, winner goes to the NCAAT... loser has to go to the NIT.
NCAA owns both…
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CapCityAg89
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In reply to NyAggie • 3:26p, 3/17/25
AG
NyAggie said:
Goat Man said:
Does anyone watch the Dayton games outside of fans of the teams in the games? I love March Madness but can't recall ever watching any of these games, almost out of spite.


I've watched pieces of them but they are largely a waste

Don't really understand why they even exist

They exist to get more at large teams in as the money for the big school coaches to "make the tournament" is significant. With that said, it's exactly why the small conference/bottom seed teams should NOT be playing them. They earned their spot.

Want to expand the tournament? I'd actually be ok with 16 teams playing for 8 slots over the two days. All the 11 and 12 seeds. Or 24 playing for the 10-12 seeds. 6 per day. Play them east coast to west coast and all day. Get the week started early.
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Method Man
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9:44p, 3/17/25
I was leaning towards agreeing with the OP and then remembered that 16 seeds suck at basketball and a lot of the time get in because they won four games in a row. Thinking of Lamar a few years back who won like 11 games.

So, no. Take your commie ideas elsewhere! We need meritocracy!
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NyAggie
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6:36a, 3/18/25
AG
Quote:
They exist to get more at large teams in as the money for the big school coaches to "make the tournament" is significant.


Right. So not for the betterment of the tournament. It's basically just to make money a d make more coaches/teams/fanbases "feel good"

It was perfect at 64, but of course the ncaa did something to make it worse.




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Proposition Joe
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7:05a, 3/18/25
Eh... I mean it simply stems from more schools/conferences being eligible.

Sure, more games = more TV = more $$$. But for those that say it was "perfect at 64", it was either A) Leave the new eligible teams/conferences out, or make it "less perfect" by having a higher percentage of teams on the low end.

Everyone loves Cinderella... But if 25% of the bracket are Cinderellas then it's not so special anymore.
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The Original Houston 1836
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7:07a, 3/18/25
I'm more confused that 4 schools are told "you're either an 11 seed or you don't get in at all." Meanwhile Dickweed State and Directional Occidental are sitting at 12-15 after beating a bunch of scrubs 30 times and get right in.
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bobinator
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In reply to Method Man • 8:17a, 3/18/25
AG

Quote:
So, no. Take your commie ideas elsewhere! We need meritocracy!

Sounds like Method wants to go back to conference champions only. Bold take. No going 9-9 in your league and getting into the tournament. You either win it or gtfo.
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Aston04
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8:53a, 3/18/25
AG
Agreed. Getting a higher seed and worse draw is stupid. Make the scrub schools play it out.
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CapCityAg89
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9:00a, 3/18/25
AG
How about - take the conference champions and rank them 1-31. Then slot in the at large teams 32-56. Then have 16 teams play for the final 8 and a matchup with the 1-2 seeds?

Chaos!
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bobinator
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In reply to CapCityAg89 • 9:05a, 3/18/25
AG
Not far enough. Separate brackets.

CHAMPIONS bracket. All 31 conference champions. We either need to add a conference or maybe the #1 seeded conference champion gets a bye.

NOT CHAMPIONS bracket. 32 at-large teams.

Winners play for the national title.
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Method Man
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In reply to Aston04 • 9:45a, 3/18/25
Aston04 said:
Agreed. Getting a higher seed and worse draw is stupid. Make the scrub schools play it out.
This
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CapCityAg89
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In reply to bobinator • 2:04p, 3/18/25
AG
bobinator said:
Not far enough. Separate brackets.

CHAMPIONS bracket. All 31 conference champions. We either need to add a conference or maybe the #1 seeded conference champion gets a bye.

NOT CHAMPIONS bracket. 32 at-large teams.

Winners play for the national title.

I actually kinda like this. I think you actually can do a "next best" to fill the champions bracket - Auburn this year.
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dgb99
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4:35p, 3/18/25
AG
With all the worrying and whining the last few days, this is the best thread. Kudos.

I see it both ways but definitely lean towards OP that the play-in games should not be 16s. I think it is more compelling to see the 'last four in' compete against each other.

However, I had no idea until this year that Ivy League Tournament is only 3 games (two semifinals and a final). Only have to win 2 games for the auto-bid. That's nuts.

Edit: Oof...just realized I glossed over Colleyville's comment on 2 games for the auto-bid. I'll show myself out...
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