2021 HL Tournament Format

[willgrahamsbanked3]

In a time where there is not much to debate/discuss in the world of sports (in terms of actual games) I'd be interested to see what everyone's preference would be for the format of the next Horizon League Tournament. The league has been 'creative' with formats over the years with the ever-changing number of teams.

Now, with 12 teams, would you like to see every team make the tournament? Just the top-8? Keep the double-bye in tact? Would enjoy to hear peoples' takes. Here's mine:

 - 10 Teams

 - 1 Seed Gets Double-Bye to Semis (Indy)

 - 2-4 Seeds get Single-Bye to 2nd Round (Will Host 2nd RD)

 - 5-10 Seeds play in 1st Round at 'better' seeds' home 


Winning the regular season championship used to really mean something in terms of a huge advantage in the Horizon League tournament when the 1 seed controlled its own destiny to host the rest of the tournament. Since moving to a neutral site there has really been no difference between being the 1 seed and the 2 seed, just a potentially better matchup. (Yes, you get the NIT bid, but I am talking in terms of strictly the tournament.)

Finishing in the top-4 rewards you with a single bye, while finishing 5-7 rewards you a home game in the first round. This will give the majority of the league something to play for throughout the entire conference season (which could extend to 22 games!)

[wsuraider09]

I'd love to keep it at 8, but I'm sure that isn't going to fly. There's no reason a fluke 8 seed should win the tournament and go to a playin game in Dayton.

I'd be happy with 10 if we can get to that with 1 and 2 getting a double bye. If the league decides to include everyone that gets dicey and stupid.

1 and 2 should advance to the semis and go straight to Indy. Everyone else should play at highest seed sites with 3 and 4 getting a double bye.

[refrigeratorraider]

With everyone trying to cut costs, I could see a much smaller tournament for the 20-21 season. Perhaps the top 4 seeds going straight to Indy.

[Big D]

I wouldn’t be surprised if there isn’t a HL tournament this year due to Covid and financial constraints through the league. The regular season champ gets the NCAA bid.

[BasketBallJones]

What are the odds, given the political atmosphere going on today, that we have a season at all? I'd give it 30% at best. And that maybe completely optimistic on my part.

[Big D]

I think they will have a season even if it is played in empty arenas.

[wsuraider09]

Jun 15, 2020 20:55:25 GMT -5 Big D said:

I think they will have a season even if it is played in empty arenas.

Not related to the tournament, but I think that levels the playing field across the league. The league as a whole went 80-57 at home last season (includes OOC games as well). Can't imagine that gap being as large if arenas have no students, pep bands, cheer squads, etc.

So, how does the university afford to play games in empty arenas? Assuming ten bucks a shot, we averaged $47k in just ticket revenue per game last year. Not including raffles, merch, and concessions. Can't imagine sponsors are so apt to throw money at the program if nobody is there to see their advertising.

I mean this sincerely and genuinely, not playing devil's advocate. How can we operate the program in the red? I can't imagine the league is subsidizing the season, let alone the NCAA?

[Big D]

wsuraider09, I honestly don’t know. The way everything is opening back up across the country, I don’t see the state or fed government closing things down again. That genie is out of the bottle. Pro sports are starting back up and college football will occur before the basketball season starts. Everything really relies on what happens with those sports in regards to how basketball is going to be played. I fully expect games to be played one way or another. Worse case is we play in empty arenas. Best case is we play in partially filled arenas. Even if they say we can only play at 50% capacity it really isn’t going to effect us much. We average less than that in attendance on average.

[wsuraider09]

Jun 15, 2020 21:51:35 GMT -5 Big D said:

wsuraider09, I honestly don’t know. The way everything is opening back up across the country, I don’t see the state or fed government closing things down again. That genie is out of the bottle. Pro sports are starting back up and college football will occur before the basketball season starts. Everything really relies on what happens with those sports in regards to how basketball is going to be played. I fully expect games to be played one way or another. Worse case is we play in empty arenas. Best case is we play in partially filled arenas. Even if they say we can only play at 50% capacity it really isn’t going to effect us much. We average less than that in attendance on average.

Thanks. I'm an accountant, these limited/no capacity issues have to be absolute financial hell for these programs. Let's see how it all shakes out.

[raiderrunt]

I definitely think there will be a basketball season probably with reduced arena capacity. As Big D said I think how the other sports fare will determine how many seats can be utilized for games.

[Dr J]

We can service utilizing 50% capacity would be close to average attendance some seat will be higher. I see season ticket holders as a family group of x seats. There would be spacing between the groups. Although this may be a non entity by Nov.

[riceownz2]

Jun 15, 2020 12:49:09 GMT -5 willgrahamsbanked3 said:

In a time where there is not much to debate/discuss in the world of sports (in terms of actual games) I'd be interested to see what everyone's preference would be for the format of the next Horizon League Tournament. The league has been 'creative' with formats over the years with the ever-changing number of teams.

Now, with 12 teams, would you like to see every team make the tournament? Just the top-8? Keep the double-bye in tact? Would enjoy to hear peoples' takes. Here's mine:

 - 10 Teams

 - 1 Seed Gets Double-Bye to Semis (Indy)

 - 2-4 Seeds get Single-Bye to 2nd Round (Will Host 2nd RD)

 - 5-10 Seeds play in 1st Round at 'better' seeds' home 


Winning the regular season championship used to really mean something in terms of a huge advantage in the Horizon League tournament when the 1 seed controlled its own destiny to host the rest of the tournament. Since moving to a neutral site there has really been no difference between being the 1 seed and the 2 seed, just a potentially better matchup. (Yes, you get the NIT bid, but I am talking in terms of strictly the tournament.)

Finishing in the top-4 rewards you with a single bye, while finishing 5-7 rewards you a home game in the first round. This will give the majority of the league something to play for throughout the entire conference season (which could extend to 22 games!)

I like this idea the best. We keep saying we need to get our best team from the league into the tournament so we have a chance to win a game. With no more home court advantage, this proposal gives some added incentive. Right now, finishing 1 or 2 is practically the same (minus the NIT bid).