First round games

[Junior]

I will always think of these as the play-in games. Otherwise, the fact that 60 teams get first round byes is a stupid concept.

But here's my question.

Why are all of the play-in games not only the 16 seeds? What's the rationale behind having teams play for two 16 seeds and two 11 seeds? Wouldn't it make more sens for the winners of all these games be 16 seeds?

What am i overlooking?

[PonyTime]

And why does Dayton get a home game out of this? That does not seem all that fair...

[Grant Carter]

The reason the play in games are not all 16 seeds is that they did not want to look like it was all about marginalizing those small conferences. Also, there is no controversy about the teams who get 16 seeds since they won a tournament. Theoretically having a play in for the last teams to make the tournament at large defuses some controversy since a team that would have been out gets a chance to play in.

[Junior]

The reason the play in games are not all 16 seeds is that they did not want to look like it was all about marginalizing those small conferences. Also, there is no controversy about the teams who get 16 seeds since they won a tournament. Theoretically having a play in for the last teams to make the tournament at large defuses some controversy since a team that would have been out gets a chance to play in.

makes sense. but my solution would be to make auto bids higher than a 16. but that would make too much sense and is too simplistic for someone as brilliant as the ncaa.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

Just another way for the NCAA to appear to be looking out for the smaller conferences even though they couldn't care less about the smaller conferences.

[Stallion]

I think the 1 bid conferences should get a magic at-large so a school like Murray St which won 25 in a row gets a shot. But we can'[t exclude poor Oklahoma St at 17-13

[ponyte]

I think the 1 bid conferences should get a magic at-large so a school like Murray St which won 25 in a row gets a shot. But we can'[t exclude poor Oklahoma St at 17-13

I absolutely agree. Think of the revenue the Big 12 would lose if strong teams like 8-10 in conference Whorns or solid barely over .5000 Okie State didn't make the dance.