Why not let the computers pick?

[Zipgrad1990]

I think their should not be comittees to pick either the NCAA tournament bids or the NIT bids. Instead once all the automatic bids are filled in, the computer ranks and picks all the remaining teams. The computer would also rank them all an fill in the brackets. All they need is someone to submitt the printouts for publication.I know the NCAA claims they use RPI, SOS, etc, but as you can see the human element is unfortunately alive and well. I would vote for using the Saragin Ratings instead of RPI and SOS (even though his ratings do take into account SOS too) alone.Many times the NCAA tournament has said its all about RPI only to turn around and snub a team for the tournament that based on RPI should be in. I'm not talking about Akron as far as the NCAA tournament is concerned or even necessarily this year. I am sure their are many examples this year for the NCAA tournament and our own example in the NIT.Of course the NCAA will claim the human element is required. That is their line of BS to make sure they get in as many teams from major conferences as possible. I think interest would be even greater if it was all done by computer - more fair, more mid-majors, more excitment! I get tired of the same old teams year after year.

[w00t]

Most interesting article I've read all day...ParrishThe most pertinent item..."People talk about how having a high RPI can protect you, but it really only protects BCS schools. This year the top four RPIs omitted from the field were Air Force (30), Missouri State (36), Bradley (38) and Drexel (39). Non-BCS schools, every one of them. Last year the top three RPIs omitted were Missouri State (21), Hofstra (30) and Creighton (39). Non-BCS schools, every one of them. Two years ago the top three RPIs omitted were Miami of Ohio (39), Wichita State (45) and Buffalo (46). Non-BCS schools, every one of them. And if you want to call that a coincidence, I want to call you an idiot."

[skip-zip]

This is a good post.Isn't a computerized mathematical formula used to choose the two teams who play for the national football championship?Why couldn't a group of people get together and devise a mathematical formula to choose the 65 team NCAA basketball tournament field?It sure beats "human error".

[a-zip]

Check out the numbers on some of the teams going to the NIT, makes it even more confusing. I ommitted the schools from the major conferences because we know why they are in. How/why would these high profile teams be picked ahead of us? First numbers are the records, second numbers are Sagarin Ratings, third numbers are the RPIs. Akron 25-7 59 67 Vermont 25-7 111 85 Marist 24-8 119 104 So. Alabama 18-11 147 127 E. Tenn St. 22-9 159 123 :blink: Austin Peay 19-11 161 117 Delaware St. 20-12 175 120 Miss. Valley St 18-15 254 200 Even if you factor in the "human element", why would these teams go ahead of us. Our team could be a great story with the Dambrot, Rome, Dru and Labron rooting them on. I have to imagine we are much more attractive than these powerhouses.

[mikespicer]

Check out the numbers on some of the teams going to the NIT, makes it even more confusing. I ommitted the schools from the major conferences because we know why they are in. How/why would these high profile teams be picked ahead of us? First numbers are the records, second numbers are Sagarin Ratings, third numbers are the RPIs. Akron 25-7 59 67 Vermont 25-7 111 85 Marist 24-8 119 104 So. Alabama 18-11 147 127 E. Tenn St. 22-9 159 123 :blink: Austin Peay 19-11 161 117 Delaware St. 20-12 175 120 Miss. Valley St 18-15 254 200 Even if you factor in the "human element", why would these teams go ahead of us. Our team could be a great story with the Dambrot, Rome, Dru and Labron rooting them on. I have to imagine we are much more attractive than these powerhouses.

The teams you list there ALL won their conference regular-season titles, and a new rule for the NIT is that any conference regular-season champ that did not make the NCAA Tournament was an automatic selection for the NIT. That's why they were all taken over Akron.

[Zips fan]

Some of the schools listed received an automatic bid for being their regular season conference champ and not making the NCAA tournament.

[Zipgrad1990]

What other ways would improve the selection process?How about this?Get rid of the NIT, add those 32 spots, toss out the play in game so the NCAA tournament is 96 teams. The 32 strongest teams get a bye, first round is 64 teams (as is the second round).Teams must play at least half their games on the road and no team (other than conference tournament winners) can be considered for the tournament without winning at least 65% of their games (sort of how college football teams aren't bowl eligible unless they are .500 or better)The last 2 are to try to force major conferences to play more mid-majors at the mid-major site or at least play them more (since they think they can beat us easily to help with the 65% rule).

[nectek]

As it has been said over and over....it's all about the $$$$ and not much to do about RPI's.

[RACER]

never going to happen. it's about the big conferneces making $$$,and putting teams in the tourney. it's how the big ten and other major conferneces get six-eight teams in every year while the mac gets one.