The only thing I would do, honestly, is make the games all on-campus at the higher seed. Go to 12, whatever, but all of the games at the higher seed. I'm sure the MAC gets some money from Cleveland, though, and it's been a good host.
The selection committee is in a tough spot with Miami.
The bubble has collapsed, all of the bubble teams fell apart.
Miami went and lost to a .500 MAC school in the tournament, but they're 31-1.
Miami's 11/11 Dayton game would be its first against even a Q2 opponent., but all of these bubble teams are 18-15 or some crap too.
I don't envy that discussion that they're gonna have. I kinda think just because of the 31-1 (and I think the MAC is a little better at basketball than it's given credit for), they probably should be in...likely a play-in game, but in. But I wouldn't be shook up if they instead are a 1 in the NIT.
I do think ultimately, they could have found 16 teams to play.
However, multiple of those 16 teams were going to be in that 10-22 record range with crowds worse than most of the Covid year games.
Florida State is bigger than any Big 12 brand. Clemson likely is as well. The Big 12 is the more secure league because they then probably have the next six-eight marketable brands after those two, but not so "marketable" as to be interesting enough to the SEC or B1G.
Miami is good at spending on the football, but their brand isn't as big as much of the Big 12. They're heard of, sure, but just don't bring the eyeballs.
UNC isn't good at the sport that matters for media dollars, and they don't seem to outwardly care about it. They're not a brand the B1G or SEC would have much interest in until they fix that (which is probably why the weird desperation play for Belichick).
The Big 12 is probably interested in half of the ACC brands. The Big Ten might be interested in two. Not sure anyone beyond Florida State or Clemson moves the needle enough for media rights. And not even sure those two do.
Basketball doesn't matter, not enough money there to bother.
I can't confirm, but a Saturday makes a lot more sense than a Friday. The new AD seems to be doing a lot more work getting the community behind the team than we're used to, so I'd just be surprised if it were a Friday.