Two Ways the NCAA Tournament Can Improve

(Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

First off, I would like to say that I love watching the NCAA tournament. I love watching basketball players fight for their schools and try to bring home a national championship. However, I think there are some minor flaws in the tournament. I have made some suggestions to improve the tournament for the players and the fans.

1. The Play in Game

I think the play-in game should be eliminated from the tourney. It takes away the experience of the tournament from those two teams. If you do not want to eliminate it, I think you should change its format. If a team wins its conference title, it should not have to participate in the play in game. Instead, the NCAA selection committee should pick two at large bids, preferably from major conferences, to play.

One might argue this will make it harder for a No. 1 seed because they will have to play a major-conference school. I have a solution to this problem. Instead of the play in game winner taking on a No. 1 seed, it should take on a seven or eight seed. I think if they eliminate the play in game, or change its format, mid-major schools will have a better experience

2. A consolation bracket

The teams that lose in the first round should go to a consolation bracket. The tournament will still be single elimination, but with this new format each team will be given a minimum of two games to play. I think this will help small schools to make a name for themselves and will give players a good experience that will be similar to the actual tournament

The formats I have suggested will help small schools. It will give them a better experience and a chance to increase the reputation of their program.

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