NCAA tourament proposals

[cbrooks]

NCAA college hockey is having its college hockey coaches and administration conference in Naples Florida this Thursday. They will dicuss changing the first round NCAA tourament to a best out of three games. Those games will be played at the higher seeds home rink. i wonder if that could cause problems with scheduling for some arenas. I like this idea. I have a feeling it will pass because of the increase ticket sales for the NC$$.

http://undhockey.areavoices.com/?p=87874

[Shorelunch]

I've seen this idea floating around. I'm in favor of it, as it theoretically let's the better team advance, while avoiding a one game fluke. Of course the NC$$ gets their pockets deepened. I also wonder if mid-to-low tier teams would want this (i.e. BSU, RIT, UMD ) as it may kill a cinderella run?

The interesting part is the Sioux angle - what happens if UND is the high seed? Do they wear generic ND jerseys and play at the Ralph - or do they have to forfeit home ice?

[cbrooks]

The interesting part is the Sioux angle - what happens if UND is the high seed? Do they wear generic ND jerseys and play at the Ralph - or do they have to forfeit home ice?

Oh...good question. I bet they will make them wear a different jersay. I vaguely remember back in 06 regionals UND hhosted a region and had to wear a different jersay...I think. Does anyone remember that?

[solbes]

Money grab is the reason here. More playoff games means more money. Having them in someone's home ice means more tickets will be sold versus our current kinda lame-o regional games. That's the only thing I like about this proposal, is that it adds some atmosphere to otherwise lacking regionals. I remember going to UMD/Miami at Mariucci 3 years ago. Atmoshpere for that was even bad and Duluth was only 2.5 hours away.

As a fan of a small or medium size program, I feel like the chances for those smaller programs to upset is almost nil with this proposal. Best of 3 gives a huge advantage to the higher seed, but making it home ice is almost giving them the advance to the next round.

You may still see teams with Duluth, Air Foce, CC sized programs advancing beyond the first round even against higher seeds. Unfortunately this would be pretty tough on schools like Bemidji, Mankato, Union, etc. These teams have to have great years to advance and this just makes it that much harder on them.

I would guess most fans of bigger programs will disagree, but I think this reduces the overall parity that we've enjoyed over the past 5 or 6 years of tourney play. Lots of upsets and I LOVE that aspect of the NCAA's.

[Shorelunch]

Money grab is the reason here. More playoff games means more money. Having them in someone's home ice means more tickets will be sold versus our current kinda lame-o regional games. That's the only thing I like about this proposal, is that it adds some atmosphere to otherwise lacking regionals. I remember going to UMD/Miami at Mariucci 3 years ago. Atmoshpere for that was even bad and Duluth was only 2.5 hours away.

As a fan of a small or medium size program, I feel like the chances for those smaller programs to upset is almost nil with this proposal. Best of 3 gives a huge advantage to the higher seed, but making it home ice is almost giving them the advance to the next round.

You may still see teams with Duluth, Air Foce, CC sized programs advancing beyond the first round even against higher seeds. Unfortunately this would be pretty tough on schools like Bemidji, Mankato, Union, etc. These teams have to have great years to advance and this just makes it that much harder on them.

I would guess most fans of bigger programs will disagree, but I think this reduces the overall parity that we've enjoyed over the past 5 or 6 years of tourney play. Lots of upsets and I LOVE that aspect of the NCAA's.

Yep, and Solbes has the other side of the argument covered perfectly (i.e. NCAA basketball tourney argument). I understand both sides.

I do like the fact that it would be a full, energized rink instead of a 1/3 full neutral site. Haskstol said he'd rather play in a packed Kohle Center vs. Sconny instead of a dull neutral site.

CBrooks, the Sioux had their normal Sioux white dazzle jerseys at their regional. That was a heck of a weekend in GF!

[Bran32]

I don't like it either even though I grew up in Colorado and iI'm a Pioneer fan, the fact is it will almost certainly take the small schools out of the equation! I do think that all four #1 seeds should host the first round though, that should bring in a lot more fans to the regionals, as compared to this years one in St. Louis, where there was no one watching a really good CC/ Mich. game!!

[solbes]

That I could live with. Home ice for first regional game to higher seed, but not a best of 3. Makes travel kind of expensive for 1 game because you would still have to travel to the super regional and F4.

Maybe get rid of the regionals all together and and have a Frozen 8? Sounds kind of dumb, but then so are the regionals.

[cbrooks]

I'm surprise alot of you guys are against this. To me this is a good thing. I could do away with the best out of three games even though I'm in favor of that as well. I really think having the higher seeds host the first round is a good idea. I feel strong on that one.

[Bear55]

I am very cool with #1 seeds hosting the regionals. It wouldn't necessarily have to be their home rink, we all know the NCAA loves it's $$$ so some of the teams could play at larger rinks close to home and still have their home field advantage and fill a bigger rink.

Best out of 3 not so much. If you want to go best out of three you do it the entire tournament, not just select games. I like it one and done. I think they use to do best 2 out of 3 first round back in the day, no reason to play around with it again.

[Shorelunch]

I'm surprise alot of you guys are against this. To me this is a good thing. I could do away with the best out of three games even though I'm in favor of that as well. I really think having the higher seeds host the first round is a good idea. I feel strong on that one.

I agree. Would hockey be the only NCAA format that's a "best of" series?

One interesting twist would be, what happens if a small school with a small rink of say 2,500 hosts a game (especially playing a school with a big fan base)? Then what?

[cbrooks]

I agree. Would hockey be the only NCAA format that's a "best of" series?

One interesting twist would be, what happens if a small school with a small rink of say 2,500 hosts a game (especially playing a school with a big fan base)? Then what?

The attendance couldn't be any worse than some of the regions they had. I know the Green Bay region which figure to do pretty good because UND traveled will got 5,000 I believe. I think the St Louis bracket was really bad(don't know the numbers exactly). The best region games were the New Hampshire,UMD and Yale games at Bridgeport Conn, they had around 7,000.

[Bran32]

Say a Bemidji State Or Duluth get a #1 seed, You've got how many rinks within 200 miles that would put more fans in the seats than Green Bay or St. Louis did this year!! I say #1 seeds host the 1st round somewhere within they're region! If BSU were hosting ar Amsoil Arena, me and alot ofpeople I know would be there in a heartbeat! But I do not want to pay for a best of three series nor see one! I love the one and done! You had better be playing at the top of your game or a BSU can make a Frozen Four trip and I think that is Great for the sport! We already have the BCS that only let's the BIG BOYS win national championships I sure as heck do not want to see the powerhouse schools get 3 games at their home arenas to take out the little guys! AND Keep the FROZEN FOUR somewhere people who love college hockey can see it!

[scsavre]

I dont like the best of 3. I think it takes away that sudden death feeling. I like it the way it is now. Accept for attendance. Either have the #1's host. Or do it like the Final 5. Lets get 5 year contracts in 4 rinks. Then you can sell the season tickets.

St Paul

Boston something

Michigan

Some other rink.

Oh wait, I might not have thought this through. What if the Gophs make the NCAA' (id put one of those laughing symbols if I knew how) but they get sent out to one of the other rinks and not STP, and you have the season ticket - I guess you risk it.

Way back in the CC hosted like the first 8 frozen 4s.

[Steve Foss]

I like home ice for the #1 seed but not a best-of-three setup. I, too, like the tension and suspense of a one-and-done format.

BTW, Dad got his American Hockey Coaches Association award at the banquet after the meeting. I got pics of him and Hackstol and Sandelin joking around afterward. Hackstol is actually SMILING in one of them. Honest! I'll post them up later, after we get back home.

[cbrooks]

Your down in Florida right now. You lucky son ofa gun you. Looking forward to the pics.

[Steve Foss]

Your down in Florida right now. You lucky son ofa gun you. Looking forward to the pics.

There are fish down here, too.

[cbrooks]

You went fishing down there. Lets hear about it. Any marlins or tarpon? Did Virg catch anything? Is virg even a fisherman. I don't remember him ever writing about fishing in any of his commentary's. He mentions his lake cabin and all the jazz of being a lake cabin owner but nothing about the fishing on Beltrami.

[Steve Foss]

Here are the smiling pics. Told you so!

Cbrooks, the fishing and other Florida pics are over on the Photography Forum.

Our flight out of Fort Myers was delayed 4 hours. Had a good time in the restaruant/bar watching Dad rub elbows with Sandelin and the Bemidji State U hockey coaches and their families, who were also on the flight. Ran into Dean Blais, too, who was en route to Omaha and told Dad that in a couple years he'd be doing exactly what Dad's doing -- having fun with retirement.

[solbes]

Nice pics, Steve you got connections. You didn't see Sandy walking around wearing free Michigan Tech stuff did you?

[Steve Foss]

You didn't see Sandy walking around wearing free Michigan Tech stuff did you?

That would be one U-G-L-Y photograph!

[scsavre]

Nice pics. Speaking of hackstol. I saw a boston fan give a real good hackstol to a flyers player after scroed. Had to be 10 seconds long and right in the middle of the screen. Man vs beats espn on hockey any day

[cbrooks]

. Ran into Dean Blais, too, who was en route to Omaha and told Dad that in a couple years he'd be doing exactly what Dad's doing -- having fun with retirement.

Bad news for Gopher fans there. Awesome pics Steve. Thanks for posting.

[Steve Foss]

I don't mind seeing bad news for Gophers fans.

Funny thing, when we were sitting in the Dewars Club cooling our ire over the flight delay, one of the hottie passengers pulled a pair of rollerblades out of her carry-on and started blading up and down the concourse. She was good, too. The BSU womens hockey coach was eyeing her like she was a valid prospect. I asked if anyone had a hockey stick and puck for her to work with, but said it probably was too late in life for Dad to get down in the goal. He was a standout goalie at St. Olaf back when lutefisk was still a Minnesota staple, and before Thomas Edison invented the electric light bulb.

It's amazing what can come out of a fella's mouth in an airport bar.

[Bear55]

Sounds like a good time Steve. Can't blame Blais for wanted to hang up the coaching gig for retirement, I guess we will have to go with Guentzel if Lucia lays another egg next year.

[Shorelunch]

I would love the opportunity to meet some of the WCHA coaches over a few beers one night. It would be a blast to hear the stories and lessons they've learned over the years.

I've seen and met a lot of coaches during booster lunches, but over a few beers with their guard down, say up at a lodge in Ontario, would be a blast.

My picks to be at the table: Blaiser, Gino Gasperinni (sp), Gwoz, Lucia (just to see what he's like out of the spotlight), Sandy and Hak.

I did have a beer one night with Sandy at the Green Mill in Duluth (after they beat UND after a blown call by the refs - but that's another story). He was pretty down to earth kinda guy.