Play-In Comment

I've been meaning to write this ever since Selection Sunday, but haven't had the time.

The teams chosen for the play-in game of the NCAA Tournament get shafted. This year, Coppin State and Mount St. Mary's played in the game, which was played in Dayton, Ohio, as it is every year. Technically, MSM got their first NCAA Tournament win, defeating Coppin State 69-60. However, the Mount also lost a first round matchup against the North Carolina Tar Heels.

How, exactly, do you have a win and a first round loss? Because the NCAA calls the Tuesday special the "Opening Round." Everyone who doesn't work for the NCAA (or one of the schools assigned to the game) calls it the play-in game.

The NCAA Tournament really begins on a Thursday, and arenas across the country host four games each. There is electricity in the air, and it is an event that every sports fan looks forward to watching. The play-in game is not, which is why Coppin State and Mount St. Mary's were cheated.

Coppin State won the MEAC Conference tournament. Mount St. Mary's won the NEC Conference tournament. The MEAC is the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. The NEC is the Northeast Conference. They probably don't even qualify as mid-majors. In my opinion, that shouldn't matter. Both of these teams earned their way into the NCAA Tournament. They are champions. They aren't "bubble teams," and no one spent the day after Selection Sunday debating whether or not they should be in the tournament.

There are 34 at-large NCAA Tournament bids handed out on Selection Sunday. The last two teams in should be the teams in the play-in game. They are barely in the tournament, and every TV talking head debates which teams should be in their places. This year, Arizona and South Alabama would have been prime candidates. Since they are questionable tournament teams anyway, send them to Dayton, and let the winner be a 12-seed somewhere.

Even if Coppin State and Mount St. Mary's both get beaten in their opening game, at least they would have gotten to experience the excitement of the NCAA Tournament. I have a hard time believing they get that experience in Dayton.