Big East Tourney to change format again?

[Lobot]

http://web.sny.tv/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090812&content_id=6388460&oid=30069.2&vkey=52

[Scheids21]

I read it and I didnt see how it was different. They said the double byes were gone but then it says they dont play til the quarters? I must be missing something.

[swilsonsp4]

I read it and I didnt see how it was different. They said the double byes were gone but then it says they dont play til the quarters? I must be missing something.

Last year, the schedule was (shown below w/o upsets for clarity):

TUE: 9-16, 10-15, 11-14, 12-13
WED: 5-12, 6-11, 7-10, 8-9
THU: 1-8, 2-7, 3-6, 4-5
FRI: semis
SAT: final

As proposed, this year's schedule would be:

TUE: 1-16, 2-15, 3-14, 4-13
WED: 5-12, 6-11, 7-10, 8-9
THU: 1-8, 2-7, 3-6, 4-5
FRI: semis
SAT: final

Instead of the top 4 seeds being off both of the first two days, they'd be off WED, while the second 4 seeds would be off TUE.

[Scheids21]

Last year, the schedule was (shown below w/o upsets for clarity):

TUE: 9-16, 10-15, 11-14, 12-13
WED: 5-12, 6-11, 7-10, 8-9
THU: 1-8, 2-7, 3-6, 4-5
FRI: semis
SAT: final

As proposed, this year's schedule would be:

TUE: 1-16, 2-15, 3-14, 4-13
WED: 5-12, 6-11, 7-10, 8-9
THU: 1-8, 2-7, 3-6, 4-5
FRI: semis
SAT: final

Instead of the top 4 seeds being off both of the first two days, they'd be off WED, while the second 4 seeds would be off TUE.

Ahh I see...thanks.

[London 'Cat]

I don't understand why you make this change. Although, I did not like last year's format. The top four getting the first two days off was a bit much.

[Bearcat Jeff]

I would rather see them change the league format to two divisions. I actually like the new tourney format.

[Joe_Pong]

The Big East tourney and Big East standings don't mean jack anyway until they play some sort of balanced schedule and every team plays home-and-home against every other team. As it is, this conference is ridiculous and the standing don't mean a damn thing.

[Bearcat Jeff]

Welcome back Joe. We missed the negativity.

[STKohls]

One of the other reasons for the change is to allow the #9 & 10 teams, which may be on the bubble for the NCAA tournament, to play a similarly rated team which will provide someone with a quality win. Under last year's schedule, 9v16 and 10v15 are no-win scenarios for the 9&10 teams. A win doesn't help the rpi and a loss would look horrible to the selection committee.

[jon b]

a 9 or 10 bubble team should be able to beat the 15 or 16 in the BEast if they are truly tourney worthy. The argument could be constructed as a 9 or 10 had a chance for 2 wins, one a gimme against low competition and another against a different bubble team. Yes it sucks if they lose, but if you are trying to impress you do not lose to a 15 or 16 seed. The NIT won't even take you then. ;)

[Josh Rexhausen]

I know they are pitching the format change with the benefit for the 9 and 10 teams, but the change is because the top seeds were upset. If the format doesn't favor top teams, it needs to be examined. I would have to agree that the top teams playing the bottom teams and getting a day to rest and watch their opponent's game would be an advantage.
Here's the regular season statistics over the four years of 16 teams:
1 vs 16 5-0 winning by 19, 2-0 at 16 winning by 11.5
2 vs 15 3-0 winning by 17, 1-0 at 15 winning by 31
3 vs 14 4-0 winning by 17.25, 2-0 at 14 winning by 13
4 vs 13 5-0 winning by 11.4, 1-0 at 13 winning by 8

Those seem like good warm up games for four of the best teams in the country.