Figured I might as well get a board created for this since we are getting close, and I have a question that might be a good place to start:
With NPI making all the decisions about who is in and who is out, once the final games are done this weekend, is seeding and hosting the only thing to debate and anticipate from the tournament selection show?
I think that's it, which will (for me at least) kill a bit of the excitement of waiting to see who made it, and the fabulous debating of "why did the committee pick them".
You are correct, yes. Seeding/placement in the bracket/hosting is what we'll get from the selection show at 1 p.m. ET on Monday (2:30 p.m. for women).
Quote from: Pat Coleman on February 27, 2025, 08:58:03 AMYou are correct, yes. Seeding/placement in the bracket/hosting is what we'll get from the selection show at 1 p.m. ET on Monday (2:30 p.m. for women).
That is interesting. I checked NCAA.com this morning, and it says that the DIII men's basketball selection show is on Monday at noon ET. NCAA.com does say 2:30 PM ET on Monday is when the NCAA DIII women's selection show will be on.
Technically seeding won't even be a mystery as we will know how all 64 teams rank compared to each other as soon as final NPI numbers are run. What will remain to be seen is how the committee creates the bracket based on that seeding. The messaging seems pretty clear their intention is to be true to seeding but obviously there are constraints in place like limiting flights and who may or may not have submitted bids to host.
Much of the intrigue of the in/out and jockeying for top eight protected seeds or top 16 for potential hosting opportunities will play out as the final game results roll in. We will be going live on the D3 Datacast YouTube channel that day with fresh NPI runs as each game concludes. Stream page is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gyocTtk_Bg
Wouldn't it be great if they based the brackets on seeding/NPI and not worry about travel cost?
I know, I know...keep dreaming!
Quote from: CNU85 on February 27, 2025, 10:46:53 AMWouldn't it be great if they based the brackets on seeding/NPI and not worry about travel cost?
I know, I know...keep dreaming!
The first mock bracket I did without consideration of geography had 29 first round flights in it. Even moving teams around on the same seed line only got it down to seven. Multiply that by every championship they do, it's pretty expensive.
Quote from: CNU85 on February 27, 2025, 10:46:53 AMWouldn't it be great if they based the brackets on seeding/NPI and not worry about travel cost?
I know, I know...keep dreaming!
My guess this will come sooner or later as I see D3 getting away from NCAA just like it going to happen in D1.
Both Grinnell and Greenville are in their conference finals. One or both could make the NCAAs today.
Monmouth, the #1 seed in the MWC was upset by Lake Forest. Spalding, who tied Greenville atop the SLIAC was upset by Webster. Could this be the year for the System teams???
Trine lost last night, dropping them to Pool C #22, just .002 NPI points behind Whitworth, who holds the last Pool C spot. No idea how much results affect teams who aren't playing, but it will be interesting tomorrow.
I mention this because I'm assuming there have been a few defending national champions who missed the tournament the previous year, but has a preseason #1 ever missed the tournament? It's very possible Trine might miss out.
My guess is seeding will occur with the top 16 with the exception of a #17 ETBU women getting to host 3 teams that can be bussed to Marshall TX.
Below that, IMHO geographic proximity will be considered.
Quote from: Greek Tragedy on March 01, 2025, 08:21:42 AMBoth Grinnell and Greenville are in their conference finals. One or both could make the NCAAs today.
Monmouth, the #1 seed in the MWC was upset by Lake Forest. Spalding, who tied Greenville atop the SLIAC was upset by Webster. Could this be the year for the System teams???
Greenville won the SLIAC tournament n 2018 and lost to Augustana in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
I remember. I think Greenville had a big lead to start...until Augie adjusted.
Sorry, I wasn't implying this would be the 1st year, if it sounded like that.
Quote from: Greek Tragedy on March 01, 2025, 04:56:51 PMI remember. I think Greenville had a big lead to start...until Augie adjusted.
Sorry, I wasn't implying this would be the 1st year, if it sounded like that.
I wasn't sure if you knew or not. Just thought it worth mentioning for those who might not know. This is Greenville's tenth season playing the System.
Grinnell won the MWC. That's one System team.
WPI, lost today. Someone on the bubble is going to be very unhappy.
Schreiner up on St. Thomas. That's a bid thief. Trinity TX is on the bubble. Teams needed them to lose, not St. Thomas.
St. Thomas wins it at the buzzer!
CNU lost as well. Another unhappy bubble team is out there.
Mary Washington wins the most undeserving AQ. Gosh I hate the C2C.
Potential Bubble Busters Left:
* St Norbert: Wisconsin Lutheran is in, so a St. Norbert win would bust a bubble.
* CMS: Cal Lutheran is in, so a CMS win would bust a bubble.
* Trinity: St Thomas (TX) is in and I don't think Trinity can take a loss, so that would bust another's bubble.
* Johns Hopkins: Franklin and Marshall is in, so..
Those watching the games tomorrow:
#35 Chicago
#37 Gettysburg
#38 Gustavus Aldophus
#40 Va. Wesleyan
Trinity of Texas is #39. Been an interesting year.
Trinity TX and Virginia Wes are neck and neck. I think Trinity could fall below Virg Wes with a loss.
Trinity TX losing to St Thomas wouldn't be a bad loss, but there is so little room for error, I do think you're right - they would drop below Va. Wesleyan.
St. Norbert beats WLC, WLC becomes a bid thief. Virginia Wes and GAC are not happy. Trinity is losing, so they may fall out from their Pool C 21 spot.
Quote from: Greek Tragedy on March 01, 2025, 08:21:42 AMBoth Grinnell and Greenville are in their conference finals. One or both could make the NCAAs today.
Monmouth, the #1 seed in the MWC was upset by Lake Forest. Spalding, who tied Greenville atop the SLIAC was upset by Webster. Could this be the year for the System teams???
Since Grinell and Greenville both made the tournament, can we just make them play each other for the hilarity? I figure we'd end up with a score of 212-208.
https://www.d3hoops.com/seasons/men/2024-25/boxscores/20241130_z933.xml?view=boxscore
They actually just played each other this year and it wasn't as crazy as you may think.
Quote from: Greek Tragedy on March 02, 2025, 05:10:26 PMhttps://www.d3hoops.com/seasons/men/2024-25/boxscores/20241130_z933.xml?view=boxscore
They actually just played each other this year and it wasn't as crazy as you may think.
I'd say 101 3PAs is pretty crazy.
Quote from: bopol on March 02, 2025, 05:07:43 PMQuote from: Greek Tragedy on March 01, 2025, 08:21:42 AMBoth Grinnell and Greenville are in their conference finals. One or both could make the NCAAs today.
Monmouth, the #1 seed in the MWC was upset by Lake Forest. Spalding, who tied Greenville atop the SLIAC was upset by Webster. Could this be the year for the System teams???
Since Grinell and Greenville both made the tournament, can we just make them play each other for the hilarity? I figure we'd end up with a score of 212-208.
Yes, please.
CMS just popped GAC bubble, I think. Ouch.
Yep, looks like it.
And Cal Lutheran really blew that game.
Quote from: Greek Tragedy on March 01, 2025, 10:50:26 PMMary Washington wins the most undeserving AQ. Gosh I hate the C2C.
Why the hate for the C2C? UMW beat a good Salisbury team (16-10 and Top 100 in Massey) and then a very strong CNU (#13 in Massey after the loss) to win their championship. UMW has a Top 20 SOS and lost to RM (#4) by 4 and Hampden (#8) by 5. Fly Eagles Fly!
Quote from: HoopsDad34 on March 03, 2025, 11:14:12 AMQuote from: Greek Tragedy on March 01, 2025, 10:50:26 PMMary Washington wins the most undeserving AQ. Gosh I hate the C2C.
Why the hate for the C2C? UMW beat a good Salisbury team (16-10 and Top 100 in Massey) and then a very strong CNU (#13 in Massey after the loss) to win their championship. UMW has a Top 20 SOS and lost to RM (#4) by 4 and Hampden (#8) by 5. Fly Eagles Fly!
Probably that 13-14 record and making the tournament with it.
Quote from: bopol on March 03, 2025, 11:35:26 AMQuote from: HoopsDad34 on March 03, 2025, 11:14:12 AMQuote from: Greek Tragedy on March 01, 2025, 10:50:26 PMMary Washington wins the most undeserving AQ. Gosh I hate the C2C.
Why the hate for the C2C? UMW beat a good Salisbury team (16-10 and Top 100 in Massey) and then a very strong CNU (#13 in Massey after the loss) to win their championship. UMW has a Top 20 SOS and lost to RM (#4) by 4 and Hampden (#8) by 5. Fly Eagles Fly!
Probably that 13-14 record and making the tournament with it.
More like the C2C does not mandate their members to play a conference round robin schedule. Their members, while automatically qualifying for the conference tournament provided that there are 6 members or fewer in that league who sponsor the sport, can also opt-out of the conference tournament and forego their opportunity to compete for the AQ, provided that the member notifies the C2C office of their opting out no later than 3 weeks prior to the start of the conference tournament. One of the C2C members, Warren Wilson, opted out of all of the conference tournaments for winter sports this season due to the campus recovering from the after effects of Hurricane Helene, which devastated western North Carolina with record flooding back in the fall.
Men's bracket announcement show has been delayed to 12:30 PM ET, as announced on NCAA.com
Quote from: bopol on March 03, 2025, 11:35:26 AMQuote from: HoopsDad34 on March 03, 2025, 11:14:12 AMQuote from: Greek Tragedy on March 01, 2025, 10:50:26 PMMary Washington wins the most undeserving AQ. Gosh I hate the C2C.
Why the hate for the C2C? UMW beat a good Salisbury team (16-10 and Top 100 in Massey) and then a very strong CNU (#13 in Massey after the loss) to win their championship. UMW has a Top 20 SOS and lost to RM (#4) by 4 and Hampden (#8) by 5. Fly Eagles Fly!
Probably that 13-14 record and making the tournament with it.
I'll grant you their record is not the best...;)
They don't play a conference schedule.
31 conferences received just 1 bid.
7 conferences received 2 bids
1 conference received 3 bids.
4 conferences received 4 bids.
But UMW was 3-4 vs. ODAC teams and that would have been good enough for their tournament. ;)
If the C2C played a conference schedule, then the conference tournament comes around and UMW wins the tournament, how does that change anything? It doesn't.
Being semi in the know, believe me when I say the teams in the C2C wish there was a better option. But there isn't. We have what we have.
And the university presidents and athletic directors spend an inordinate amount of time trying to make things better. If there was an easy option, it would have been taken already.
Agreed CNU85. I'm new to all of this but the situation is way less than optional. That said, those are the rules and glad to see both CNU and UMW in the dance.
UMW played a tough schedule. I noticed that the D3 Datacast efficiency ratings were always rather high for their record, so the computers liked them. Throughout the year I thought they were better than their record, so I'm glad they got a reward for competing hard.
It's nothing against the teams in this fake conference. They are basically independents in a conference by name only. It's a loophole to keep their AQ. I know it's not ideal and it's been discussed before, but I still think it's ridiculous that the NCAA allows them to do this. Even though they don't have a conference schedule, they have a conference tournament with an AQ and then MW upsets CNU and steals a Pool C bid from another team. That upsets me more this year because of that.
Quote from: Tigerfan on March 03, 2025, 01:30:02 PMUMW played a tough schedule. I noticed that the D3 Datacast efficiency ratings were always rather high for their record, so the computers liked them. Throughout the year I thought they were better than their record, so I'm glad they got a reward for competing hard.
NPI had them at 88 and as a Pool C 61/62. GAC had an NPI ranking 38 and Pool C 22. But hey, MW competed hard for 2 games and won the C2C conference tournament and got the AQ.
Quote from: Greek Tragedy on March 03, 2025, 02:19:44 PMQuote from: Tigerfan on March 03, 2025, 01:30:02 PMUMW played a tough schedule. I noticed that the D3 Datacast efficiency ratings were always rather high for their record, so the computers liked them. Throughout the year I thought they were better than their record, so I'm glad they got a reward for competing hard.
NPI had them at 88 and as a Pool C 61/62. GAC had an NPI ranking 38 and Pool C 22. But hey, MW competed hard for 2 games and won the C2C conference tournament and got the AQ.
For all the gripes people may have about the C2C the conference tournament is basically the one big thing they have in common with everyone else. GAC had the same opportunity to win their conference tournament as members of the C2C did, though I suppose it is at that fundamental level that the disconnect happens, making it a discussion as to whether the C2C deserves an automatic bid to be fought over. There are no new points to be made in that argument, however.
Quote from: Greek Tragedy on March 03, 2025, 02:12:16 PMIt's nothing against the teams in this fake conference. They are basically independents in a conference by name only. It's a loophole to keep their AQ. I know it's not ideal and it's been discussed before, but I still think it's ridiculous that the NCAA allows them to do this. Even though they don't have a conference schedule, they have a conference tournament with an AQ and then MW upsets CNU and steals a Pool C bid from another team. That upsets me more this year because of that.
It's unfair to the teams and conferences that beat each other up all season long, and then a team can get hot one weekend and steal a bid. I get that can happen in any conference tournament, and it is the beauty of this time of year. Still, overall, it diminishes a regular season and everything that goes into the grind of conference play.
Quote from: Greek Tragedy on March 03, 2025, 02:12:16 PMIt's nothing against the teams in this fake conference. They are basically independents in a conference by name only. It's a loophole to keep their AQ. I know it's not ideal and it's been discussed before, but I still think it's ridiculous that the NCAA allows them to do this. Even though they don't have a conference schedule, they have a conference tournament with an AQ and then MW upsets CNU and steals a Pool C bid from another team. That upsets me more this year because of that.
But back to my point. Even if they had played a conference schedule. UMW beats CNU in tournament. Nothing would be different. This is no different than any other conference tournament where there is an upset that busted a bubble. I believe there were at least 3 this year.
And I would note that 12 of GAC's 21 wins were against teams ranked 200+ in Massey whereas UMW only played 5 teams ranked 200+. So if by "beating each up other in conference play" you mean beating up on bad teams, then I guess you have a point.
It always sucks for the last teams out and arguments can be made to change the system but this is the one for this year.
My point is that they shouldn't even have an AQ if they can't even have a conference schedule.
You have an end-of-season conference tournament with no regular season conference schedule, yet the winner gets an AQ? Where does that make sense?
While they don't have a mandatory conference slate, it's not like they didn't play each other at all. The standings headed into the tournament would have been:
Chris Newport 5-0
Mary Washington 3-2
Salisbury 1-4
UC Santa Cruz 0-3
Warren Wilson 0-0
Chris Newport, Mary Washington, and Salisbury all played each other twice while Santa Cruz played each of them once. Warren Wilson played quite a few non D3 teams and didn't play in the tournament.
Upsets are part of the fun of tournament time but that an understanding of who the favorites are and how much they might be favored by. Our big first round preview episode of The D3 Datacast is out now and we go through all the matchups and take a look at our computer ratings-based projections for win probabilities and point spreads.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnLmHtEVjNU
Stay tuned for another tournament preview episode dropping Wednesday morning as we take a zoomed out look at overall bracket odds for each team to advance through each round.
My annual tournament map: https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1ItNjVj0RbEhTGVDrkEJ7IJdz0HDQ8BE&usp=sharing
15 schools had both men and women make the tournament
Seed and quadrant
School Men Women
Cal Lutheran 7UR 13UL
Calvin 9DR 14DL
Christopher Newport 3DL 5UR
Cortland 14UR 6UL
Gettysburg 9UL 2UR
Illinois Wesleyan 3DR 2DL
Montclair State 4DL 12UR
New York University 1UR 1UR
Randolph-Macon 2DL 3UR
Trinity (Conn.) 1DL 9UR
Tufts 2UR 10UR
UW-La Crosse 2DR 12DR
Western New England 10DL 7UR
Wisconsin Lutheran 8DR 11UL
How about them UMW Eagles?
You read my mind...Sweet 16.
Did I mention that UMW winning the C2C tournament was not a fluke?
They are going to be scary good for a few years. So many freshmen and sophomores!
Quote from: FCGrizzliesGrad on March 07, 2025, 06:59:23 AM15 schools had both men and women make the tournament
Seed and quadrant
School Men Women
Cal Lutheran 7UR 13UL
Calvin 9DR 14DL
Christopher Newport 3DL 5UR
Cortland 14UR 6UL
Gettysburg 9UL 2UR
Illinois Wesleyan 3DR 2DL
Montclair State 4DL 12UR
New York University 1UR 1UR
Randolph-Macon 2DL 3UR
Trinity (Conn.) 1DL 9UR
Tufts 2UR 10UR
UW-La Crosse 2DR 12DR
Western New England 10DL 7UR
Wisconsin Lutheran 8DR 11UL
Catholic had both men and women in the tourney as well.
Quote from: HoopsDad34 on March 09, 2025, 12:44:11 AMYou read my mind...Sweet 16.
I'm trying to figure which UMW players to dislike for the next few years! ;D
They're all great kids!
I will like them off the court.
Dislike them while playing CNU
Quote from: Inkblot on March 05, 2025, 04:23:46 PMMy annual tournament map: https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1ItNjVj0RbEhTGVDrkEJ7IJdz0HDQ8BE&usp=sharing
Very nice Ink. But , Gulf of AMERICA? :-X
Not his fault. Google Maps made the change and the user cannot do anything about it.
UAA v NESCAC Final
Wesleyan v Trinity: Wes won the regular season meeting. Trin won the NESCAC title game. Score could be in the low 60s.
NYU swept Washington U handily. The Bears have their hands full.
Trinity v NYU Final.
Defense usually beats offense. Trinity wins it.
Man, I said it on X and I'll say it on here. I really dislike the Thursday/Saturday format. If I attend, it's an extra day of vacation I have to use and it's an extra hotel night. Don't tell me it's for the student-athletes. If you're a lower seed in the Big Ten tournament, you could play FIVE days IN A ROW. I don't know the behind-the-scenes activities of the teams, maybe they have activities, tournament commitments, tours they do on the off-day, but playing Friday evening and Saturday, late afternoon is the same thing as some of the conference tournaments and even the first four rounds of the NCAA tournament. I'm so glad next year, if I go, they'll have the four quarterfinal games on Friday and the 2 semifinal games on Saturday. I suppose if I don't have a horse in the race, I can just go to the semis, save a night in the hotel and watch the final on TV. I don't talk to the players, but maybe some prefer to play Friday and Saturday because they still have the adrenaline from the previous night and don't want to cool off for a full day. Yes, injuries are unfortunate and maybe the NCAA wants the players to recover an extra day for the big game, but then they should do it for the other rounds as well. Off my soapbox. I'm done! Good luck to everyone.
Well, apparently, Ryan was just told that next year's Elite 8 and Final Four games will be Thursday and Saturday. So stupid.
I'm not seeing a video link for either women's semifinal; what's the story?
Quote from: ronk on March 20, 2025, 12:33:25 AMI'm not seeing a video link for either women's semifinal; what's the story?
The games are on ESPN+ (ESPN Plus) this week-- the ESPN+ schedule has both women's semifinals scheduled today for 5 PM and 7:30 PM ET respectively from Salem, VA, with the men's semifinals scheduled for 5:30 PM ET and 8 PM ET today respectively from Fort Wayne, IN.
Look under NCAA women's basketball and NCAA Men's basketball on ESPN+ to find the game feeds. The game feeds should read NCAA DIII Men's Basketball Championship or NCAA DIII Women's Basketball Championship with each feed either reading Semifinal #1 or Semifinal #2.
Since the ESPN+ schedule has not listed the teams beside the game feeds, here is the breakdown:
1.) NCAA DIII Women's Basketball Championship (Semifinal #1)-- NYU v UW-Stout-- 5 PM ET.
2.) NCAA DIII Men's Basketball Championship (Semifinal #1)-- Trinity (CT) v Wesleyan (CT)-- 5:30 PM ET
3.) NCAA DIII Women's Basketball Championship (Semifinal #2)-- Smith v UW-Oshkosh-- no earlier than 7:30 PM ET
4.) NCAA DIII Men's Basketball Championship (Semifinal #2)-- NYU v WashU-- no earlier than 8 PM ET.
ESPN+ is a subscription service, but I already subscribe to the Legacy Disney monthly bundle, so I get the service with Hulu and Disney+ as part of the monthly bundle. ESPN+ is relatively easy to subscribe to if you do not already have a monthly or yearly subscription to the streaming service.
Unforced error by the NCAA scheduling both men's and women's finals on the same day and hour.
Maybe it's a 1st world problem for NYU, having both teams make it this far, but really an unnecessary set of circumstances.
Quote from: BaboNation on March 22, 2025, 11:36:53 AMUnforced error by the NCAA scheduling both men's and women's finals on the same day and hour.
Maybe it's a 1st world problem for NYU, having both teams make it this far, but really an unnecessary set of circumstances.
It's an online platform, it's not like they need to worry about broadcast time space.
Quote from: BaboNation on March 22, 2025, 11:36:53 AMUnforced error by the NCAA scheduling both men's and women's finals on the same day and hour.
Maybe it's a 1st world problem for NYU, having both teams make it this far, but really an unnecessary set of circumstances.
We've brought this up with the production staff. It should not happen again.
https://www.ncaa.com/game/6385334
Some highlights
Much prefer seeing a team built like Trinity win over a team like NYU. No covid seniors, no 5th year d1 mercenary hires. 4 year players recruited and developed from the ground up. I'm not a purist or anything, but I can't say I'm upset seeing teams that had massive advantages in terms of 5th year/graduate student recruitment not have anything to show for it in the end.
I imagine there are a number of people that agree with you. However, that doesn't mean they didn't work just as hard everyday to get to the Championship game. Yes, I think it means more when you are part of the building process rather than just putting a super team together for just a year or two.
Quote from: Greek Tragedy on March 19, 2025, 09:03:16 PMMan, I said it on X and I'll say it on here. I really dislike the Thursday/Saturday format. If I attend, it's an extra day of vacation I have to use and it's an extra hotel night. Don't tell me it's for the student-athletes. If you're a lower seed in the Big Ten tournament, you could play FIVE days IN A ROW. I don't know the behind-the-scenes activities of the teams, maybe they have activities, tournament commitments, tours they do on the off-day, but playing Friday evening and Saturday, late afternoon is the same thing as some of the conference tournaments and even the first four rounds of the NCAA tournament. I'm so glad next year, if I go, they'll have the four quarterfinal games on Friday and the 2 semifinal games on Saturday. I suppose if I don't have a horse in the race, I can just go to the semis, save a night in the hotel and watch the final on TV. I don't talk to the players, but maybe some prefer to play Friday and Saturday because they still have the adrenaline from the previous night and don't want to cool off for a full day. Yes, injuries are unfortunate and maybe the NCAA wants the players to recover an extra day for the big game, but then they should do it for the other rounds as well. Off my soapbox. I'm done! Good luck to everyone.
It is about the student-athletes... because then they aren't gassed trying to recover for the biggest game of their careers. The entire point is to give them the time and space to recover from a hard fought semifinals and prepare for the finals, instead of a cram session and likely no recovery ahead of that game.
So yes, it is about the student-athletes. And it is about them also Thur/Sat because while they miss class time, they are still doing homework or taking exams if necessary - though seems more often then not schools are on spring break this week (not always, but most if not all four on the men's side were on break). And then they don't miss Monday classes coming back (which happens in soccer with whatever gender plays on Sunday).
The division decided to go this way so that championship games weren't decided on sheer luck of recovery or one player got over a twisted ankle better than another in 24 hours.
And don't compare to the Big 10... do you think it is actually about student-athletes there? Those students who are actually trying to get an education also have four or more tutors and academic people at their disposal on the trip they are making. It is a big money product there ... also the chances of a deep-seed going all the way through like that are slim and none almost every year. Look at how they treat their other tournaments and you will see something far more akin to DIII.
Yes, I got it confirmed from the committee that next year will be Thursday/Saturday. I suspect his is actually because that is how Fort Wayne had the facility scheduled more than anything else. This is the extra year they lost in 2020 and I don't believe when it was given to them it was actually decided the combined-championships were taking place. So likely, the Thursday/Saturday schedule was set prior to the schedule changing to quarters and semis. I know conversations about moving the All-Star game to the middle day in general, but especially next year fall on it not happening due to the staffing for the arena not being scheduled or in the case of next year, they likely already have other events to deal with in the arena (not to mention, four teams getting shoot arounds on that off day).
For the record, I love the day off in between because I can get better prepared without sacrificing even more sleep. Yeah, it sucks from a work perspective having to take even more time off or missing something on the day before games, but being able to recover and prep is valuable.
So anyway... as much as you may not like it (you are in a small minority), this is actually about the student-athletes. They have all responded in multiple sports very positively about the experience of an extra day off.
An aside, the issue that needs to be addressed in DIII is actually how teams travel surrounding these events, especially those who lose in the first game of a weekend. The stories I've heard in the last few years are embarrassing.
Sheesh, first post back in a LONG time... and I went on and on.. sorry.
No need to apologize for the long post. I appreciate your response, although I'll disagree. I'm not going to beat a dead horse, but another case in point is that NYU offered a fan bus for the championship game only. I think the reason could be no one, school, students etc, could afford (or want to) to bus out Thursday and basically stay for 3 or 4 days because of the extra day in between. Just my uneducated opinion.
Quote from: Dave 'd-mac' McHugh on March 23, 2025, 10:20:31 PMQuote from: Greek Tragedy on March 19, 2025, 09:03:16 PMMan, I said it on X and I'll say it on here. I really dislike the Thursday/Saturday format. If I attend, it's an extra day of vacation I have to use and it's an extra hotel night. Don't tell me it's for the student-athletes. If you're a lower seed in the Big Ten tournament, you could play FIVE days IN A ROW. I don't know the behind-the-scenes activities of the teams, maybe they have activities, tournament commitments, tours they do on the off-day, but playing Friday evening and Saturday, late afternoon is the same thing as some of the conference tournaments and even the first four rounds of the NCAA tournament. I'm so glad next year, if I go, they'll have the four quarterfinal games on Friday and the 2 semifinal games on Saturday. I suppose if I don't have a horse in the race, I can just go to the semis, save a night in the hotel and watch the final on TV. I don't talk to the players, but maybe some prefer to play Friday and Saturday because they still have the adrenaline from the previous night and don't want to cool off for a full day. Yes, injuries are unfortunate and maybe the NCAA wants the players to recover an extra day for the big game, but then they should do it for the other rounds as well. Off my soapbox. I'm done! Good luck to everyone.
It is about the student-athletes... because then they aren't gassed trying to recover for the biggest game of their careers. The entire point is to give them the time and space to recover from a hard fought semifinals and prepare for the finals, instead of a cram session and likely no recovery ahead of that game.
So yes, it is about the student-athletes. And it is about them also Thur/Sat because while they miss class time, they are still doing homework or taking exams if necessary - though seems more often then not schools are on spring break this week (not always, but most if not all four on the men's side were on break). And then they don't miss Monday classes coming back (which happens in soccer with whatever gender plays on Sunday).
The division decided to go this way so that championship games weren't decided on sheer luck of recovery or one player got over a twisted ankle better than another in 24 hours.
And don't compare to the Big 10... do you think it is actually about student-athletes there? Those students who are actually trying to get an education also have four or more tutors and academic people at their disposal on the trip they are making. It is a big money product there ... also the chances of a deep-seed going all the way through like that are slim and none almost every year. Look at how they treat their other tournaments and you will see something far more akin to DIII.
Yes, I got it confirmed from the committee that next year will be Thursday/Saturday. I suspect his is actually because that is how Fort Wayne had the facility scheduled more than anything else. This is the extra year they lost in 2020 and I don't believe when it was given to them it was actually decided the combined-championships were taking place. So likely, the Thursday/Saturday schedule was set prior to the schedule changing to quarters and semis. I know conversations about moving the All-Star game to the middle day in general, but especially next year fall on it not happening due to the staffing for the arena not being scheduled or in the case of next year, they likely already have other events to deal with in the arena (not to mention, four teams getting shoot arounds on that off day).
For the record, I love the day off in between because I can get better prepared without sacrificing even more sleep. Yeah, it sucks from a work perspective having to take even more time off or missing something on the day before games, but being able to recover and prep is valuable.
So anyway... as much as you may not like it (you are in a small minority), this is actually about the student-athletes. They have all responded in multiple sports very positively about the experience of an extra day off.
An aside, the issue that needs to be addressed in DIII is actually how teams travel surrounding these events, especially those who lose in the first game of a weekend. The stories I've heard in the last few years are embarrassing.
Sheesh, first post back in a LONG time... and I went on and on.. sorry.
An article from last summer says next year's d3 finals will be played on Sunday not sure when semi finals will be played but it doesn't sound like a Thursday Saturday event.
https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/article/2024-07-11/mens-basketball-committee-approves-single-site-2026-divisions-i-ii-and-iii?amp
We're told it will be Thursday - Saturday for the rounds of 8 and 4 in Fort Wayne (March 19 and 21). The final will be played two weeks later in Indianapolis on the day between the D1 semis and final, along with the D2 final. That will be April 5th, Easter Sunday!
With 2 games on Saturday, will the all-star game be moved to Friday or earlier Saturday?
Quote from: Greek Tragedy on March 24, 2025, 10:51:11 AMWith 2 games on Saturday, will the all-star game be moved to Friday or earlier Saturday?
We've been told it's still Saturday, which makes sense; the venue is not going to bring in gameday staff just for the all star game.
Quote from: Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan) on March 24, 2025, 10:19:04 AMWe're told it will be Thursday - Saturday for the rounds of 8 and 4 in Fort Wayne (March 19 and 21). The final will be played two weeks later in Indianapolis on the day between the D1 semis and final, along with the D2 final. That will be April 5th, Easter Sunday!
So the 2 final teams are going to be off for 2 weeks before they play the final? That is just plain stupid! NCAA at its best. This is just another of many reasons why the ncaa won't be around in another 10 years.
Quote from: D3BBALL on March 24, 2025, 04:24:01 PMQuote from: Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan) on March 24, 2025, 10:19:04 AMWe're told it will be Thursday - Saturday for the rounds of 8 and 4 in Fort Wayne (March 19 and 21). The final will be played two weeks later in Indianapolis on the day between the D1 semis and final, along with the D2 final. That will be April 5th, Easter Sunday!
So the 2 final teams are going to be off for 2 weeks before they play the final? That is just plain stupid! NCAA at its best. This is just another of many reasons why the ncaa won't be around in another 10 years.
You know, that's what the NCAA wants. It's for the players because they want them to rest and recover from any potential injuries. It wouldn't be fair to play right away if a team isn't at full strength. Two weeks should do it. (sarcasm)
They did this in 2013, they played in Atlanta with the D2 and D1 Final Four. There was a two week gap.
That year's format was Rounds 1, 2 and 3 were all single round weekends with the Elite 8 and Final 4 the 4th weekend, Friday and Saturday...then a two-week gap for the Final.
Next year's format, I'm told, is two rounds the 1st weekend, then Sweet 16 the following weekend and then the Elite 8 and Final Four in Fort Wayne on Thursday and Saturday...then two weeks and then the Championship game.
I believe this was supposed to happen a few years ago, but Covid showed up.
Quote from: D3BBALL on March 24, 2025, 04:24:01 PMQuote from: Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan) on March 24, 2025, 10:19:04 AMWe're told it will be Thursday - Saturday for the rounds of 8 and 4 in Fort Wayne (March 19 and 21). The final will be played two weeks later in Indianapolis on the day between the D1 semis and final, along with the D2 final. That will be April 5th, Easter Sunday!
So the 2 final teams are going to be off for 2 weeks before they play the final? That is just plain stupid! NCAA at its best. This is just another of many reasons why the ncaa won't be around in another 10 years.
The NCAA survived when this happened in 2013.
Quote from: D3BBALL on March 24, 2025, 04:23:47 PMQuote from: Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan) on March 24, 2025, 10:19:04 AMWe're told it will be Thursday - Saturday for the rounds of 8 and 4 in Fort Wayne (March 19 and 21). The final will be played two weeks later in Indianapolis on the day between the D1 semis and final, along with the D2 final. That will be April 5th, Easter Sunday!
So the 2 final teams are going to be off for 2 weeks before they play the final? That is just plain stupid! NCAA at its best. This is just another of many reasons why the ncaa won't be around in another 10 years.
This happened when Amherst won in 2013 and was scheduled to happen in 2020 before the tournament shut down. It's been done with the women's tournament as well. I share many of your concerns, but so far, every team that's done it has really, really enjoyed the experience. They get most of the same treatment at the D1 teams and it's a very special memory. They don't do it too often, maybe once every 7 or 8 years.