Change to the NCAA Basketball Schedule

[GoldenWarrior11]

http://www.si.com/college-basketball/2015/03/02/college-basketball-march-madness-one-semester-sport

Pac-12 Deputy Commissioner Jamie Zaninovich wants to start a discussion about pushing the both the beginning and end of the basketball season back a month, thus making it a one semester sport.

This isn’t a Pac-12 initiative, but rather a request to take a long look at the benefits and drawbacks—both on the court and in the classroom—of a change in the season’s schedule. It would begin in mid-December, after final exams, in the relative quiet period between the football conference championship games and marquee bowl games. This would push the Final Four back from the first week in April to the first week in May. By pushing the start of the season back, it would give college basketball a cleaner window—and less competition from college football—to start the season. It would also give the sport less competition in the final months, as a conference season starting around Feb. 1 would help the sport escape the shadow of both college football and the NFL.

Interesting thoughts.  Makes a ton of sense - which means it probably won't happen.

[tower912]

An interesting conversation starter.    IMO, the benefits:
1.  The first month of the season is not overshadowed by football.    Non-con season now during Bowl season and NFL playoffs.
2.  Eliminates mid-season transfer headaches.
3.  Allows for more clean academics.    No ineligibility in the middle of the year.

Drawbacks:
1.  April Madness doesn't have the same alliterative ring.
2.  I will watch less of the tourney because by mid-April the golf courses are all open.
3.  A deep run in the tourney can bump up against finals weeks at some schools.

[ChicosBailBonds]

TV will drive much of this decision

[4everwarriors]

April Anxiety, hey?

[Boozemon Barro]

  at the notion that academics has any weight in the college athletics discussion.

[Bricky]

at the notion that academics has any weight in the college athletics discussion.

Would've been my only argument against this. But hey, maybe all NCAA schools can extend their winter break and shorten the summer break. And anyone who plans on summer credit, it continues to suck to suck.

[MUCrew]

TV will drive much of this decision

Was just gonna say this

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

TV will drive much of this decision

Plus March Madness is before Baseball season and way before NBA & NHL playoffs.  It's the only game in town in March.

[T-Bone]

TV will drive much of this decision

Which would mean No, correct?  With the NBA and NHL playoffs and MLB trying to get off to a good start, it doesn't seem likely, eh?

[GooooMarquette]

NCAA - Where good ideas go to die.

[humanlung]

Anyone know how many years out sites have been awarded for the tournament?  I would imagine that even if this was adopted it would be years before implementation due to prior scheduling commitments.

[Brewtown Andy]

Plus March Madness is before Baseball season and way before NBA & NHL playoffs.  It's the only game in town in March.

And seeing as the NCAA makes essentially all of their operating budget on the money they get from CBS/Turner for the tournament...

[wadesworld]

Don't like it.

[Brewtown Andy]

Anyone know how many years out sites have been awarded for the tournament?  I would imagine that even if this was adopted it would be years before implementation due to prior scheduling commitments.

Final Fours are set through 2021.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NCAA_Men%27s_Division_I_Basketball_Tournament#Host_cities

TV contract runs through 2024.

[bradley center bat]

The weekend after the Final Four is the Masters and the weekend after that is the NBA playoffs. Both on CBS/Turner.

[JuniorCardigan]

April Anxiety, hey?

April Absolute Madness?

doesn't quite roll off the tongue. I think April Anarchy has to be the winner

[forgetful]

April Absolute Madness?

doesn't quite roll off the tongue. I think April Anarchy has to be the winner

Wouldn't part of the tournament then be in may.  We could have April Anarchy bring May Madness.

[tower912]

April Angst?

[Litehouse]

The weekend after the Final Four is the Masters and the weekend after that is the NBA playoffs. Both on CBS/Turner.

I was thinking the same thing.  CBS wouldn't be able to run their "A Tradition Like No Other" ads throughout the entire tournament.

Interesting idea, but I don't like it.  I think they're underestimating how much competition they'd get from MLB and NBA playoffs.  March is a perfect window with no competition for TV viewers right now.

[muwarrior69]

...and all those thanksgiving tournaments would be gone as well. Won't happen I think.

[WarriorPA]

It may benefit the early part of the season, but would be terrible for the tournament. Can't imagine it gaining any ground.

March Madness is a big-time sporting event and has solidified its time of year, it shouldn't change.

[GoldenWarrior11]

Not sure whether the concept would be welcomed or shot down by conferences, universities, or the networks, but, at one point in time, the shot clock and three-point line were both considered radical changes to the college game as well.  College basketball could use an infusion of change.

[Aughnanure]

I was thinking the same thing.  CBS wouldn't be able to run their "A Tradition Like No Other" ads throughout the entire tournament.

Interesting idea, but I don't like it.  I think they're underestimating how much competition they'd get from MLB and NBA playoffs.  March is a perfect window with no competition for TV viewers right now.

Yeah, I kind of always liked the idea of moving it back so that you'd make it May Madness (not April, so a little easier on the alliteration). But the more I think about it, the more I see it would only help the early part of the season and that I'm underestimating the competition of MLB and the NBA playoffs (not the NHL though). I think, instead, the NCAA should focus on how to market the start of college basketball season better as it often gets lost in November. Maybe try to market the Thanksgiving weekend as the true start (because of all the tourneys maybe?).

On another note, the NBA season has no business starting before Christmas. Why do we need 82 games?

[4everwarriors]

...and all those thanksgiving tournaments would be gone as well. Won't happen I think.

Nah, just renamed as Winter Solstice Tourneys, hey?

[tower912]

Nah, just renamed as Winter Solstice Tourneys, hey?

Festivus tourneys.

[MU82]

Fun to discuss, I suppose, but I've got only 3 words to add to the discussion:

Not

Gonna

Happen

[GGGG]

Yeah, I kind of always liked the idea of moving it back so that you'd make it May Madness (not April, so a little easier on the alliteration). But the more I think about it, the more I see it would only help the early part of the season and that I'm underestimating the competition of MLB and the NBA playoffs (not the NHL though). I think, instead, the NCAA should focus on how to market the start of college basketball season better as it often gets lost in November. Maybe try to market the Thanksgiving weekend as the true start (because of all the tourneys maybe?).

On another note, the NBA season has no business starting before Christmas. Why do we need 82 games?

The early part of the season is hopeless since the NFL is peaking and college football is heading into conference championships.  People aren't going to pay a lot of attention to college basketball at that point.

March is perfect because after a dead month of February, you have the conference tournaments and the NCAA tournament just before opening day, the Masters, NBA playoffs...

[Dawson Rental]

TV will drive much of this decision

The bottom line. 

Avoiding competition from football would seem to weigh heavily in this.  If it looks like a ratings bump will follow from waiting until football has wound down, then there could be a strong push, I would think.

[Dawson Rental]

April Angst?

Oh, I hope not.

[Dawson Rental]

Nah, just renamed as Winter Solstice Tourneys, hey?

I knew you were a pagan!

[bradley center bat]

I was thinking the same thing.  CBS wouldn't be able to run their "A Tradition Like No Other" ads throughout the entire tournament.

Interesting idea, but I don't like it.  I think they're underestimating how much competition they'd get from MLB and NBA playoffs.  March is a perfect window with no competition for TV viewers right now.

The tournament is not the problem, it's the regular season they are trying to grow.

[GGGG]

The tournament is not the problem, it's the regular season they are trying to grow.

But you are probably going to bleed off more by moving the tournament than you are going to add during the regular season.  Look, college basketball is a flawed product mostly because players don't stick around for four years.  They go pro...they transfer...  And the product is suffering.

To me, another month of regular season college basketball would be nothing more than tedious.

[bradley center bat]

It wouldn't be another month of basketball. You would also be starting a month later. Also, guys have not be staying for 4 years since the days of the fab 5.

[GGGG]

It wouldn't be another month of basketball. You would also be starting a month later.

But I have options in the fall.  (football).  I wouldn't have those options in March. 

I am part of the problem.  I really don't watch a great deal of college basketball unless it is Marquette or its tournament time.  Maybe catch a game or two during the week, but that's about it.  It doesn't really hold my interest.

[bradley center bat]

But I have options in the fall.  (football).  I wouldn't have those options in March.  

I am part of the problem.  I really don't watch a great deal of college basketball unless it is Marquette or its tournament time.  Maybe catch a game or two during the week, but that's about it.  It doesn't really hold my interest.

There trying to get people like you. I think moving it a month later won't get people like you. You either watch it or you don't. Timing won't matter. Media is the problem, as they are terrible at covering basketball.

[HutchwasClutch]

...and all those thanksgiving tournaments would be gone as well. Won't happen I think.

Exactly what I was thinking.  And they're way more prominent than just Thanksgiving week now.  Many probably would be gone if you're waiting until nearly Christmas to start the season, which this idea would do.   Therefore, you're removing a lot of great early season matchups, and a chance for programs to establish their identity, prepare for their conference seasons, and start building their tournament resumes.

Not to mention, going all the way through April, into early May, what other problem is there?  NBA playoffs are in full swing, so postseason tourmanents for conference, NCAA, even NIT to a smaller degree, are competing with that too.  How could the NCAA book many arenas when there are NBA teams that could be playing?  The answer of course is they couldn't.

First, all freshman being ineligible again- galactically stupid idea.  Now this, not as stupid, but not far off either.
What other gems do the powers that be in the NCAA have in their 10 cent brains?  OMG.

[HutchwasClutch]

Right now, college basketball really owns the sports calendar in March and beginning of April.  They draw huge crowds and ratings to the tourmanment games.  Nothing else in the sports world comes close to competing to it.

What does this solve? 

[bradley center bat]

Right now, college basketball really owns the sports calendar in March and beginning of April.  They draw huge crowds and ratings to the tourmanment games.  Nothing else in the sports world comes close to competing to it.

What does this solve?  

There trying to avoid the NFL and college football. I would like to see the season end about one or two weeks later. It's a joke that many schools have their senior day in mid February.

[GGGG]

There trying to avoid the NFL and college football.

Yeah...at the beginning of the year.  The beginning isn't as important as the end.  They are screwing up with the end...where they make their money.  Why would you tailor your schedule to suit the part of your television revenue that is *least* valuable?

[HutchwasClutch]

There trying to avoid the NFL and college football.

So they run into baseball's first month plus, NBA playoffs, The Masters, and other golf tournaments.  Not to mention the NFL Draft which has taken on a life of its own and is now a what, three day event?  And they still compete against all of the major bowl games and NFL playoffs.

Now tell me again please what this solves?

[bradley center bat]

Yeah...at the beginning of the year.  The beginning isn't as important as the end.  They are screwing up with the end...where they make their money.  Why would you tailor your schedule to suit the part of your television revenue that is *least* valuable?

As you said they are trying to get people like you.

[HutchwasClutch]

It's a joke that many schools have their senior day in mid February.

I don't know what schools, even the small ones, have a mid- February senior day, but even if a few do, SOOOOOOOOOO????

[bradley center bat]

So they run into baseball's first month plus, NBA playoffs, The Masters, and other golf tournaments.  Not to mention the NFL Draft which has taken on a life of its own and is now a what, three day event?  And they still compete against all of the major bowl games and NFL playoffs.

Now tell me again please what this solves?

How about one week?

[HutchwasClutch]

So everyone who's throwing in with this, you realize, Madison Square Garden likely loses the Big East Tournament by playing about mid April  with this idea? 

[bradley center bat]

I don't know what schools, even the small ones, have a mid- February senior day, but even if a few do, SOOOOOOOOOO????

The mid to low majors do. The Atlantic Sun, Patroit League, Horizon League conference tournaments all started today.

[HutchwasClutch]

How about one week?

I don't know what your question means?

[HutchwasClutch]

The mid to low majors do. The Atlantic Sun, Patroit League, Horizon League conference tournaments all started today.

OK, their senior days wouldn't have been middle of last month though.  That statement implies home schedules are done by Valentine's Day.  That just isn't true, anywhere that I know or have heard.

[GGGG]

As you said they are trying to get people like you.

But they already have me when its most important...in March.  They have everyone in March.

So they think I'm going to watch more regular season in March, but still keep watching in April when a bunch of other conflicts develop?  Good luck.  You do not want to run up against the NBA playoffs and the beginning of MLB.

[bradley center bat]

I don't know what your question means?

I would like to see the college basketball season to end one week later. So, the Final Four would be the second weekend in April. That's all.

[bradley center bat]

OK, their senior days wouldn't have been middle of last month though.  That statement implies home schedules are done by Valentine's Day.  That just isn't true, anywhere that I know or have heard.

That's right, there is only 28 days in the month of February. UWM had there senior day on February 20th.

[HutchwasClutch]

I would like to see the college basketball season to end one week later. So, the Final Four would be the second weekend in April. That's all.

I really don't get why something as great as March Madness, NCAA and conference tournament alike, needs to be altered in any way.  There's no logic to change anything.  Changing anything with the current format, schedules, and dates, only can make things worse.  

[bradley center bat]

I really don't get why something as great as March Madness, NCAA and conference tournament alike, needs to be altered in any way.  There's no logic to change anything.  Changing anything with the current format, schedules, and dates, only can make things worse.  

Well we have to agree to disagree, because we are now we are going in circles.

[HutchwasClutch]

That's right, there is only 28 days in the month of February. UWM had there senior day on February 20th.

That's almost a full week past the middle of the month!   Congratulations on finding one school that had their senior day that early, though.

[HutchwasClutch]

Well we have to agree to disagree, because we are now we are going in circles.

That's true. 

[bradley center bat]

That's almost a full week past the middle of the month!   Congratulations on finding one school that had their senior day that early, though.  Thank-you for clarifying to about February being a short month, very enlightening.  

Your getting a bit picky. You know what I mean. You can find alot mid-major and some power leagues with senior day in February 20'ish.

[Litehouse]

How about one week?

One week later is The Masters and baseball season is underway.  They would lose more people at the end when it's more important than they would gain at the beginning when it's less important.

[bradley center bat]

Baseball and it's terrible national ratings. TV contracts can change when they come up again and that's not untill what 2022, 2024? So, that so far down the road, who cares. I hope we are all still here to talk about it. 

[#UnleashSean]

3.  A deep run in the tourney can bump up against finals weeks at some schools.

Wouldn't that be better then 100% of schools for the fall semester finals?

[Brewtown Andy]

Your getting a bit picky. You know what I mean. You can find alot mid-major and some power leagues with senior day in February 20'ish.

Because the Big East's women's basketball schedule is already done, it's fairly comparable to the smaller men's conferences that are starting their tournaments this week.

Marquette's Senior Day was on February 15th.

I'd wager 1/4 of Division 1 had a Senior Day that landed between February 10-19 this year.

[WarriorPA]

Your getting a bit picky. You know what I mean. You can find alot mid-major and some power leagues with senior day in February 20'ish.

I'm missing what the problem is with senior day being in the middle of February?

[CTWarrior]

My two favorite sports are MLB and CBB.  It works out very nicely now as one ends the other begins.  Late October/Early November only time one or the other is not active.

I like the idea of a single semester for the sport, though.  Never happen unless at some point in the future colleges return to a more idealized version of what college sports are supposed to be/represent.  Not at all likely that will ever happen.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

We'd see a marked improvement in early game attendance and viewership for sure. But I agree with others that moving the tournament into April really doesn't make sense.