2020 NCAA Tournament

[txg]

Would the fact that the quarterfinals are in Ft. Wayne factor into the bracketing?  Since the usual geographic concerns at that round don't matter this year, would they ever have a "midwest" pod and "northeast" pod feed into one quarterfinal, for example?  (Pod is probably not the right term.)  It would seem a shame to not take advantage of the format and have teams from different parts of the country play each other earlier than is usually possible.

[D3RetiredHooper]

Men have the priority this year in the first week.  Second week women but not sure how that will be impacted on the men's side with it only being a solo game.

Also, I would imagine the committee will attempt to put host pods that are within 500 miles of each other adjacent to one another in the bracket to try to cut down on the amount of flights prior to the Final 8 games in Fort Wayne (I.E. Nebraska Wesleyan and St. Thomas probably will be next to each other in the bracket).  I would also imagine they will put Emory and a potential Texas pod adjacent to one another in the bracket to guarantee one flight comes out of that group of 8 teams.

If the season ended today (qualifier), here are possible 16 host sites (obviously each of these schools would have to put in a bid to host and have the ability to host (looking at you Wittenberg and Texas schools!):

1. Emory
2. Texas-Dallas
3. St Thomas
4. Nebraska Wesleyan
5. Randolph Macon
6. SUNY Brockport
6. Wisc Platteville
7. Wittenberg
8. Wash U
9. Mt Union
10. Johns Hopkins
11. Swarthmore
12. WPI
13. Middlebury
14. Stevens
15. Springfield
16. RPI

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Would the fact that the quarterfinals are in Ft. Wayne factor into the bracketing?  Since the usual geographic concerns at that round don't matter this year, would they ever have a "midwest" pod and "northeast" pod feed into one quarterfinal, for example?  (Pod is probably not the right term.)  It would seem a shame to not take advantage of the format and have teams from different parts of the country play each other earlier than is usually possible.

The second weekend will force the first weekend to be less geographically diverse - you have to keep all eight teams essentially within 500 miles of each other in order to avoid flights the second weekend - and they will be avoiding flights the second weekend because they'll likely need more the third.

However, once teams get to Ft Wayne, the bracketing can be far more creative.  You could have a Tuft-St. John's matchup in the elite eight, since they'll already be in the same place.

I suspect they'll bracket with eight pretty geographically limited pods of eight teams, but then pair those pods together in unique ways that take advantage of the central location.

It's hard to make too many predictions this early, but I doubt you'll see a potential Swarthmore-RMC matchup in the fourth round the way you probably would in other years, when limited by geography.

We'll probably have some rematches in the third round that we don't like, but it should make Ft. Wayne more interesting.

[KnightSlappy]

Would the fact that the quarterfinals are in Ft. Wayne factor into the bracketing?  Since the usual geographic concerns at that round don't matter this year, would they ever have a "midwest" pod and "northeast" pod feed into one quarterfinal, for example?  (Pod is probably not the right term.)  It would seem a shame to not take advantage of the format and have teams from different parts of the country play each other earlier than is usually possible.

The second weekend will force the first weekend to be less geographically diverse - you have to keep all eight teams essentially within 500 miles of each other in order to avoid flights the second weekend - and they will be avoiding flights the second weekend because they'll likely need more the third.

However, once teams get to Ft Wayne, the bracketing can be far more creative.  You could have a Tuft-St. John's matchup in the elite eight, since they'll already be in the same place.

I suspect they'll bracket with eight pretty geographically limited pods of eight teams, but then pair those pods together in unique ways that take advantage of the central location.

It's hard to make too many predictions this early, but I doubt you'll see a potential Swarthmore-RMC matchup in the fourth round the way you probably would in other years, when limited by geography.

We'll probably have some rematches in the third round that we don't like, but it should make Ft. Wayne more interesting.

The bolded part is what concerns me. You're going to have more flights (to Ft. Wayne) to pay for, but you're also going to have more flights in the second weekend because we'll only have two pods from which to find 500-mile matches instead of four. How many additional flights is the NCAA going to approve to have the combined championship weekend? I do not like it if it has an adverse effect on bracket diversity.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Would the fact that the quarterfinals are in Ft. Wayne factor into the bracketing?  Since the usual geographic concerns at that round don't matter this year, would they ever have a "midwest" pod and "northeast" pod feed into one quarterfinal, for example?  (Pod is probably not the right term.)  It would seem a shame to not take advantage of the format and have teams from different parts of the country play each other earlier than is usually possible.

The second weekend will force the first weekend to be less geographically diverse - you have to keep all eight teams essentially within 500 miles of each other in order to avoid flights the second weekend - and they will be avoiding flights the second weekend because they'll likely need more the third.

However, once teams get to Ft Wayne, the bracketing can be far more creative.  You could have a Tuft-St. John's matchup in the elite eight, since they'll already be in the same place.

I suspect they'll bracket with eight pretty geographically limited pods of eight teams, but then pair those pods together in unique ways that take advantage of the central location.

It's hard to make too many predictions this early, but I doubt you'll see a potential Swarthmore-RMC matchup in the fourth round the way you probably would in other years, when limited by geography.

We'll probably have some rematches in the third round that we don't like, but it should make Ft. Wayne more interesting.

The bolded part is what concerns me. You're going to have more flights (to Ft. Wayne) to pay for, but you're also going to have more flights in the second weekend because we'll only have two pods from which to find 500-mile matches instead of four. How many additional flights is the NCAA going to approve to have the combined championship weekend? I do not like it if it has an adverse effect on bracket diversity.

The place it will hurt is in the midwest - probably no more combining of Great Lakes and Central teams, or getting Maryville to WashU.  I don't want to go too far into it until we've got a list of teams, because geography dictates so much regardless of schedule.  You'll still be able to do a lot of cross-region pods in the E, NE, Atlantic, and MA.

Honestly, fewer Pool C bids from the Central might be a boon for bracketing or a tragedy - and it might all hinge on one team being in or out.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

 
   
   
   

	First Weekend	Second Weekend
Even Years	Men Host	Women Host
Odd Years	Women Host	Men Host

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

 
   
   
   

	First Weekend	Second Weekend
Even Years	Men Host	Women Host
Odd Years	Women Host	Men Host

Alright, misogyny it is.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Week 2's Regional Rankings are out: https://www.d3hoops.com/notables/2020/02/men-regional-rankings-second

[Greek Tragedy]

Men have the priority this year in the first week.  Second week women but not sure how that will be impacted on the men's side with it only being a solo game.

Also, I would imagine the committee will attempt to put host pods that are within 500 miles of each other adjacent to one another in the bracket to try to cut down on the amount of flights prior to the Final 8 games in Fort Wayne (I.E. Nebraska Wesleyan and St. Thomas probably will be next to each other in the bracket).  I would also imagine they will put Emory and a potential Texas pod adjacent to one another in the bracket to guarantee one flight comes out of that group of 8 teams.

If the season ended today (qualifier), here are possible 16 host sites (obviously each of these schools would have to put in a bid to host and have the ability to host (looking at you Wittenberg and Texas schools!):

1. Emory
2. Texas-Dallas
3. St Thomas
4. Nebraska Wesleyan
5. Randolph Macon
6. SUNY Brockport
6. Wisc Platteville
7. Wittenberg
8. Wash U
9. Mt Union
10. Johns Hopkins
11. Swarthmore
12. WPI
13. Middlebury
14. Stevens
15. Springfield
16. RPI

I'm no expert in geography, but I'm guessing you're going to need another central team hosting. Platteville is on the far southwestern part of Wisconsin. There's no host team to satisfy northern Illinois or eastern Wisconsin. I would think if NCC wins the CCIW AQ, they could host or, gulp, SNC. I do suppose it depends on how may CCIW and WIAC teams get in.

[D3RetiredHooper]

Men have the priority this year in the first week.  Second week women but not sure how that will be impacted on the men's side with it only being a solo game.

Also, I would imagine the committee will attempt to put host pods that are within 500 miles of each other adjacent to one another in the bracket to try to cut down on the amount of flights prior to the Final 8 games in Fort Wayne (I.E. Nebraska Wesleyan and St. Thomas probably will be next to each other in the bracket).  I would also imagine they will put Emory and a potential Texas pod adjacent to one another in the bracket to guarantee one flight comes out of that group of 8 teams.

If the season ended today (qualifier), here are possible 16 host sites (obviously each of these schools would have to put in a bid to

I'm no expert in geography, but I'm guessing you're going to need another central team hosting. Platteville is on the far southwestern part of Wisconsin. There's no host team to satisfy northern Illinois or eastern Wisconsin. I would think if NCC wins the CCIW AQ, they could host or, gulp, SNC. I do suppose it depends on how may CCIW and WIAC teams get in.

Obviously a lot to still play and who knows what teams win their Pool A bid, but every team that is either currently winning their conference or Pool C top 20 (according to @D3Bubble) can get to Neb Wesleyan, St Thomas, Platteville or Wash U.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Men have the priority this year in the first week.  Second week women but not sure how that will be impacted on the men's side with it only being a solo game.

Also, I would imagine the committee will attempt to put host pods that are within 500 miles of each other adjacent to one another in the bracket to try to cut down on the amount of flights prior to the Final 8 games in Fort Wayne (I.E. Nebraska Wesleyan and St. Thomas probably will be next to each other in the bracket).  I would also imagine they will put Emory and a potential Texas pod adjacent to one another in the bracket to guarantee one flight comes out of that group of 8 teams.

If the season ended today (qualifier), here are possible 16 host sites (obviously each of these schools would have to put in a bid to

I'm no expert in geography, but I'm guessing you're going to need another central team hosting. Platteville is on the far southwestern part of Wisconsin. There's no host team to satisfy northern Illinois or eastern Wisconsin. I would think if NCC wins the CCIW AQ, they could host or, gulp, SNC. I do suppose it depends on how may CCIW and WIAC teams get in.

Obviously a lot to still play and who knows what teams win their Pool A bid, but every team that is either currently winning their conference or Pool C top 20 (according to @D3Bubble) can get to Neb Wesleyan, St Thomas, Platteville or Wash U.

Per Neb. Wesleyan: Benedictine, Elmhurst, St. Norbert, and none of the UW's can get to NWU. I know you said "or," but there are only a few that are going to be able to get to NWU. That either will either hamper the committee's ability to split teams up especially for possibly second weekend games ... or keep them from sending NWU to very many places.

FYI - North Central is 499 miles from NWU; Benedictine is 502!

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Men have the priority this year in the first week.  Second week women but not sure how that will be impacted on the men's side with it only being a solo game.

Also, I would imagine the committee will attempt to put host pods that are within 500 miles of each other adjacent to one another in the bracket to try to cut down on the amount of flights prior to the Final 8 games in Fort Wayne (I.E. Nebraska Wesleyan and St. Thomas probably will be next to each other in the bracket).  I would also imagine they will put Emory and a potential Texas pod adjacent to one another in the bracket to guarantee one flight comes out of that group of 8 teams.

If the season ended today (qualifier), here are possible 16 host sites (obviously each of these schools would have to put in a bid to

I'm no expert in geography, but I'm guessing you're going to need another central team hosting. Platteville is on the far southwestern part of Wisconsin. There's no host team to satisfy northern Illinois or eastern Wisconsin. I would think if NCC wins the CCIW AQ, they could host or, gulp, SNC. I do suppose it depends on how may CCIW and WIAC teams get in.

Obviously a lot to still play and who knows what teams win their Pool A bid, but every team that is either currently winning their conference or Pool C top 20 (according to @D3Bubble) can get to Neb Wesleyan, St Thomas, Platteville or Wash U.

Per Neb. Wesleyan: Benedictine, Elmhurst, St. Norbert, and none of the UW's can get to NWU. I know you said "or," but there are only a few that are going to be able to get to NWU. That either will either hamper the committee's ability to split teams up especially for possibly second weekend games ... or keep them from sending NWU to very many places.

FYI - North Central is 499 miles from NWU; Benedictine is 502!

If the final rankings look like the current rankings, you'd probably see either NCC or Whitworth (if there are three Texas teams in) going to NWU.

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Yep ... that is possible ... and likely NWU headed to St. Thomas or WashU the second weekend (assuming all things equal; no major upsets).

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Yep ... that is possible ... and likely NWU headed to St. Thomas or WashU the second weekend (assuming all things equal; no major upsets).

This is the nitty-gritty I promised I wouldn't get into yet, but: likely the NWU pod will be paired with the WashU pod, especially if Whitworth is involved, since you're likely going to have to pull a team (like Centre or Wittenberg) from farther east to St. Louis the first weekend, and you'd want to match your pods with potential second weekend flights together to prevent needing two.

[PauldingLightUP]

Men have the priority this year in the first week.  Second week women but not sure how that will be impacted on the men's side with it only being a solo game.

Also, I would imagine the committee will attempt to put host pods that are within 500 miles of each other adjacent to one another in the bracket to try to cut down on the amount of flights prior to the Final 8 games in Fort Wayne (I.E. Nebraska Wesleyan and St. Thomas probably will be next to each other in the bracket).  I would also imagine they will put Emory and a potential Texas pod adjacent to one another in the bracket to guarantee one flight comes out of that group of 8 teams.

If the season ended today (qualifier), here are possible 16 host sites (obviously each of these schools would have to put in a bid to

I'm no expert in geography, but I'm guessing you're going to need another central team hosting. Platteville is on the far southwestern part of Wisconsin. There's no host team to satisfy northern Illinois or eastern Wisconsin. I would think if NCC wins the CCIW AQ, they could host or, gulp, SNC. I do suppose it depends on how may CCIW and WIAC teams get in.

Obviously a lot to still play and who knows what teams win their Pool A bid, but every team that is either currently winning their conference or Pool C top 20 (according to @D3Bubble) can get to Neb Wesleyan, St Thomas, Platteville or Wash U.

Per Neb. Wesleyan: Benedictine, Elmhurst, St. Norbert, and none of the UW's can get to NWU. I know you said "or," but there are only a few that are going to be able to get to NWU. That either will either hamper the committee's ability to split teams up especially for possibly second weekend games ... or keep them from sending NWU to very many places.

FYI - North Central is 499 miles from NWU; Benedictine is 502!

Using this: https://web1.ncaa.org/TES/exec/miles   Platteville and La Crosse can both get to NWU in under 500 miles