[BJWilliams]

I think only at large teams should go to Dayton. No conference champion should have to play the play-in game. a champion earned their bid, the at large teams got in on a gift from selection committee.

As far as the two 16/16 games, you're gonna pretty much get all conference champions because with a lot of those teams, their RPI is so low that, with some exceptions, a 16 seed is pretty much guaranteed. As I said before, Norfolk State (before they were eliminated) had a chance at either a non-play in 16 seed or possibly a 15, and were a longshot for a 14 seed. NC Central, whose only loss was to NSU, probably would have been a non play-in 16. Everyone else can pretty much start booking their travel plans to Dayton as soon as the trophy presentation is over.

For the 11/11 and 12/12 games, I do agree that they should stick to at-large teams.

[LUconn]

There should be no play in games. If you're in, you're in. They're just an excuse to include a mediocre team that didn't win enough to make it without those games.

[BJWilliams]

There should be no play in games. If you're in, you're in. They're just an excuse to include a mediocre team that didn't win enough to make it without those games.

Like jbock said, $$$ talks

[olldflame]

The playin games exist because more conferences qualified for automatic bids. As a result, to keep the field at 64 they would have had to reduce the number of at large teams. There was already so much wailing and gnashing of teeth by teams who were left out on the bubble (prime example being VT) that the NCAA decided expanding the field was a better option.

[JK37]

And yet VT still couldn't make it.

[TIMSCAR20]

It is no longer considered a "Play in" but rather a kickoff of the 1st round of the NCAA Tourney. Thursday/Friday games are now called the 2nd round. They simply expanded the field to 68 teams. It is a clever way of making the 1st week go from Tuesday through Sunday and as was stated those few bubble teams that weren't making it in, now are getting in (VT a few years ago was a poster child for first 4 out).

[Cider Jim]

And yet VT still couldn't make it.

[lynchburgwildcats]

I think only at large teams should go to Dayton. No conference champion should have to play the play-in game. a champion earned their bid, the at large teams got in on a gift from selection committee.

wouldn't necessarily say it's always a gift to get an at-large when either Duke or Miami (or both possibly) are going to get an at-large bid, aside from that i agree with the rest.

[TIMSCAR20]

No one who gets to the tourney as an At-Large is a gift. If anything it is a validation of your successful season. Getting an at-large these days is tough unless you are in a power conference. Then I would agree that in the past some teams were given "gifts" because of their conference affilation and not necessarily because of their successful season.

[bballfan84]

the play in games are great for schools from smaller conferences..I hope we have to play the "play in game". Couple reasons for this. There is only one college basketball game on that night so if someone is watching a game they are going to be watching Liberty. Another reason, it is considered an NCAA tournament win..it sounds soo good when you are talking to recruits and you can mention that you have won an NCAA tournament game. Its a win win for LU if we get to play in the first round.

[Purple Haize]

There should be no play in games. If you're in, you're in. They're just an excuse to include a mediocre team that didn't win enough to make it without those games.

Like VCU........

[JK37]

There is only one college basketball game on that night

The NIT plays that night as well, not to mention CIT/CBI games. Not that its a big deal, just pointing that out.

[lynchburgwildcats]

There is only one college basketball game on that night

The NIT plays that night as well, not to mention CIT/CBI games. Not that its a big deal, just pointing that out.

Plus it's not even the only NCAA Tournament game that night as well since there are two play-in games on the 19th and two on the 20th.

[lynchburgwildcats]

the play in games are great for schools from smaller conferences..I hope we have to play the "play in game". Couple reasons for this. There is only one college basketball game on that night so if someone is watching a game they are going to be watching Liberty. Another reason, it is considered an NCAA tournament win..it sounds soo good when you are talking to recruits and you can mention that you have won an NCAA tournament game. Its a win win for LU if we get to play in the first round.

You might as well stop wasting your time with hope and just face the reality that you will be in one of the play-in games unless the NCAA reverses course and makes those game all for at-large teams.

[lynchburgwildcats]

Actually, on second thought, I disagree that conference winners should be off limits to the play-in games, those four games should be the eight lowest seeded teams. If you're a conference winner and your resume isn't good enough to be higher than a 15 or 16 seed, then you deserve to have to win another game to play in the real NCAA Tournament.

[Purple Haize]

Love the 16/16 'Play In' game. Gives schools a bunch of publicity and a big spotlight before they go face a #1 seed and its all about the #1 seed and its chances of winning the Tournament and their opponent is relegated to Washington General status.

[Cider Jim]

There should be no play in games. If you're in, you're in. They're just an excuse to include a mediocre team that didn't win enough to make it without those games.

Like WVU........

FIFY--you were only off by one letter (too soon?).

[Purple Haize]

There should be no play in games. If you're in, you're in. They're just an excuse to include a mediocre team that didn't win enough to make it without those games.

Like WVU........

FIFY--you were only off by one letter (too soon?).

Look whose got jokes...
WVU players quit about a week before Christmas. Painful to watch

[Purple Haize]

Duke lost to a Maryland team playing inspired ball. Maybe this moves IU into the overall #1 spot and they are our opponent
At least I can take solace in the fact that Kentucky won't make the Tournament with their thrashing by Vandy!

[TIMSCAR20]

Duke lost to a Maryland team playing inspired ball. Maybe this moves IU into the overall #1 spot and they are our opponent
At least I can take solace in the fact that Kentucky won't make the Tournament with their thrashing by Vandy!

Our chances of driving to Philly to go to a Liberty/Duke matchup just went way down! Maybe IU gets sent to Philly? That is where coach Bob Knight won one of his Championships but it was in the old Spectrum. Actually I think he won two there. Wasn't the 1976 and 81 championships played in Philly? Haize you have to know that...without googling it.

[Purple Haize]

76-Philly-Kent Benson MOP
81-Philly- Isaiah Thomas MOP
87- New Orleans-Keith Smart MOP


Well I'm still free after Tuesday. Work your Press Credential magic and we will hope in my Subaru and off we will go!

[LUconn]

I'm under the impression that the play in game winner doesn't have anything to do with the number 1 overall seed. I'm having trouble finding a bracket that shows the pod locations but the play in game is locked in at the Dayton site and the #1 overall seed wouldn't necessarily be advantageous in the bracket that plays there. Unless the play in is not yet defined which of the brackets it's in yet? In other words, I'm not sure at all but I don't think the number 1 overall seed means anything special except that the selection committee dubs them so.

[Purple Haize]

I'm under the impression that the play in game winner doesn't have anything to do with the number 1 overall seed. I'm having trouble finding a bracket that shows the pod locations but the play in game is locked in at the Dayton site and the #1 overall seed wouldn't necessarily be advantageous in the bracket that plays there. Unless the play in is not yet defined which of the brackets it's in yet? In other words, I'm not sure at all but I don't think the number 1 overall seed means anything special except that the selection committee dubs them so.

ESPN among others shows where the 2nd rd games will be played. They haven seeded who goes where yet and that includes the 1st Rd / play in games.
Our options if/when we win will be
Auburn Hills
Lexington
Salt Lake (BYU/LU story line)
San Jose
Austin (Sly's favorite)
Dayton
Kansas City
Philly

[BJWilliams]

I dont think they have determined where each of the games (the two 16/16 games and the 12/12 and 11/11 games) will go as far as the bracket goes. All that will be figured out in the next couple days as these final bids are handed out. Duke may still get one of the 16/16 games even after losing yesterday so you cant really make any presumptions about who will get matched up with who as of yet

[Sly Fox]

I would likely have to miss any game in Austin unless it were the last night game because I am working Thursday & Friday in Dallas. So I would actually prefer it to be far away so I don't feel quite so frustrated to not be able to attend.