Looking at this season as an example, ACC and PAC-12 earned a huge numerical advantage by having 18 teams total out of 64 (28%). So 2 conferences out of 30+ already represent nearly 1 out of 3 teams in the tourney. Are you really concerned that some of those are eliminated early on? Are you worried that some wouldn’t make it through to the semis or final?
At least give the top teams from the bottom 16 conferences a chance to show what they can do against similarly ranked conferences/teams rather than playing a bunch of #1 and 2 seeds.
And we are talking about extremes here looking at Stanford and PV, but this benefits virtually every conference so you have the opportunity to see conferences in the middle like MAAC, Patriot, etc. in the final 8 as well. It gives all these conferences/teams more exposure so that maybe they can attract more talent and $ to improve their programs and level the playing field a little. Or do we want to always watch the same teams at the end?
I want to see the best teams in the end. If they are the same teams each year, so be it. You are trying to artificially manufacture a result. Changing who weaker teams play first doesn't make them better, just delays the inevitable. There are other divisions, move down to a level you can compete in on the field and off. I want to see the best fully funded and supported teams battle it out and know that in the end the best team won.
I want to see the best teams in the end. If they are the same teams each year, so be it. You are trying to artificially manufacture a result. Changing who weaker teams play first doesn't make them better, just delays the inevitable. There are other divisions, move down to a level you can compete in on the field and off. I want to see the best fully funded and supported teams battle it out and know that in the end the best team won.
^^ OPs proposal is one of the dumbest suggestions I have seen in a while. You EARN your seeding via the regular season. His proposal makes the regular season almost worthless from an NCAA PoV.
The only way it would make sense is if the National Championship becomes an FA/Open Cup. A random drawn KO even with some seeding. That will never happen given the geographical constraints and other things.
^^ OPs proposal is one of the dumbest suggestions I have seen in a while. You EARN your seeding via the regular season. His proposal makes the regular season almost worthless from an NCAA PoV.
The only way it would make sense is if the National Championship becomes an FA/Open Cup. A random drawn KO even with some seeding. That will never happen given the geographical constraints and other things.
I can only surmise that the OP's kid goes to a school that's competitive within a weaker conference, but hopelessly overmatched against any team from a P5 conference. Therefore, a revised tournament format would allow his school to survive an extra game or two once in awhile. I think it's nuts. There are few enough people that care about the NCAA women's soccer tournament; would ANYONE care about it if half the better teams were knocked out early and we're stuck with elite 8 matchups that are going to be 5-1 or 6-0 games?
I can only surmise that the OP's kid goes to a school that's competitive within a weaker conference, but hopelessly overmatched against any team from a P5 conference. Therefore, a revised tournament format would allow his school to survive an extra game or two once in awhile. I think it's nuts. There are few enough people that care about the NCAA women's soccer tournament; would ANYONE care about it if half the better teams were knocked out early and we're stuck with elite 8 matchups that are going to be 5-1 or 6-0 games?
Not the OP but imo, no, because Stanford, UNC, UCLA, FL/FL ST year in and year out becomes monotonous and boring. You used to have the likes of a Portland winning it all. Heck, even Umass made it all the way back in the day. At least the men have Akron to shake things up. I think the P5 is terrible for all NCAA athletics. In the past decade, TV money has put them into a stratosphere that is untouchable, in all sports. I think eventually P5 will be separated from the rest of D1.
I get it, a top coach sets up shop at a mid major, it can and will happen. At the end of the day that is the draw. Maybe someone like a Julie Shackenford at her alma mater or something similar. GT had a nice run, but that seems over.
Not the OP but imo, no, because Stanford, UNC, UCLA, FL/FL ST year in and year out becomes monotonous and boring. You used to have the likes of a Portland winning it all. Heck, even Umass made it all the way back in the day. At least the men have Akron to shake things up. I think the P5 is terrible for all NCAA athletics. In the past decade, TV money has put them into a stratosphere that is untouchable, in all sports. I think eventually P5 will be separated from the rest of D1.
I get it, a top coach sets up shop at a mid major, it can and will happen. At the end of the day that is the draw. Maybe someone like a Julie Shackenford at her alma mater or something similar. GT had a nice run, but that seems over.
Your PoV on P5 athletics cant surely be drawn from Womens Soccer. if the OP expressed the some sentiment of football or basketball, he would be laughed out of court.
Your PoV on P5 athletics cant surely be drawn from Womens Soccer. if the OP expressed the some sentiment of football or basketball, he would be laughed out of court.
Not yet, and despite the lovefest on these boards, I've seen plenty of pisspoor P5 teams over the years. That said, as the money continues to flow, it is going to greatly impact all sports. The rebuilding and adding of facilities and dedicated-to-specific-sports (non fb and bb) at some of these schools is staggering, imo.
2nd round winner predictions
Stanford
Penn St
NC st
Louisville
UCLA
DUKE
Washington
Florida at
Virginia
WV
Kansas
SC
USC
Santa Clara
Texas Tech
UNC
Nc state through over arkansas;
BYU over Louisville (questionable refing. Called handball/pk in box for byu and missed same obvious call for louisville)
Santa Clara 3-0 over Oklahoma St - 2nd half
MI and TX Tech tied at 1-1 - 1st half
S FL over Wash 2-0 - 2nd half
Kansas over Xavier 2-0 (40 mins in). 1st half
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