It looks right now that the FCIAC Boys Basketball Tournament is going to expand to 12 teams starting next year. If you read my column in today’s paper, I detest the move, which will water down a showcase event and actually punish teams that earn the highest seeds.
While not a wide sampling, I’ve spoken to several girls basketball coaches who have said they would be against such a move.
Because the news of the proposal is just starting to circulate, I have no idea how fans feel about a possible change. Do you like the playoffs as is? Do you like the idea of including four more teams and having an extra round?
Here’s a chance to have your say. I’ve set up a poll that will close at noon on Tuesday.
Let’s see if you agree with the majority of the league coaches, or my view.
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That has nothing to do with it. There’s a good chance first round games will lose money. This is about the FCIAC adopting a Little League mentality for boys basketball. It is also a way to counter two private schools taking two of the eight playoff spots. You don’t hear expansion discussed in any other sport, and a number of coaches in other sports, including several in girls basketball, have told me they hate the idea.
Dave,
This is all about the adults generating additional revenue on the kids playing basketball to offset the referee’s end of season dinnner or coaches dinner, etc.
Because of space I didn’t get to the financial aspects, but unless you get an unexpected large crowd, it will likely cost either the league or the host of a play-in game money. I’m not sure if other sports would expand – I’m sure I’m in the minority, but I liked when there were just four or even when there were six teams in the soccer playoffs. Hardly scientific but coaches I have spoken to in other sports thus far are against expansion. I think too much focus was put into getting four more teams into the playoffs and not enough on the other issues. No one yet has given me what I feel is a good reason to let almost two-thirds of the teams into the playoffs. Might as well let everyone in and every player can have the chance of a playoff experience.
Dave Has anyone figured out the financial implications of going to a 12 team playoff? Who pays for the first round expenses(ie security,officials,game administration,custodians etc.)-the f.c.i.a.c.,the home site? These costs can be considerable and in an economy where we are laying off teachers and others , every $ counts.Further more,will this 12 team playoff set a precedent for other sports to expand(both boys and girls)?-imagine those costs.This idea(12 team playoff) has NOT been well thought out!