There are those who make a living reporting high school football that want the section playoffs to be eliminated, and California to go to a state tournament. While I don't agree with their viewpoint, there is a way we can test the theory. We can have a 32-team, 8-man state playoff (16 for the north, 16 for the south). There is currently no California state championship for 8-man football. I had several ideas for proposals, and I learned there is no true fair way to do it, unless the powers that be want to make high school athletes travel great distances week after week. Having 16 teams for each region created the least incovience.
In my model, each league champion has an automatic berth, and I used the top rated teams by calpreps.com as the at-large teams. Plus, I used the calpreps.com rankings to seed the teams, unless teams from the same league would play each other. (Note: In this bracket, I did have to put two teams in the same league against each other in the 1st round, because I otherwise would have to move some teams down unjustifiably.) Since the southern part of the state is so much stronger, I considered having one team from the south cross over to the north, but if I had my way, the south would either have to agree to play all the games on the road, or compromise to playing in the Bakersfield-area for its "home games". The championship game would be at a neutral pre-determined site.
South (Los Angeles, San Diego, and Southern Sections) (12 Automatic berths, 4 at-large) ^=at large
Team, Section, League (Higher seeds would host)
(1) Cate (Carpenteria) Southern, Condor
(16) Hillcrest Chr. (Thousand Oaks), Southern, Omega
(8) Fulton Valley (LA-Van Nuys), Los Angeles, Valley
(9) San Jacinto Valley Academy, Southern, Warrior
(5) Faith Baptist^ (LA-Canoga Park), Southern, IND
(12) Amino Robinson (Los Angeles), Los Angeles, City
(4) Avalon, Southern, Express
(13) Trona, Southern, Hi-Lo
(6) Desert Chapel^ (Palm Springs), Southern, Victory
(11) Lucerne Valley, Southern, Agape
(3) Mojave^, Southern, IND
(14) Calvin Chr. (Escondido), San Diego, Ocean
(7) Thatcher^ (Ojai), Southern, Condor
(10) Cuyama Valley (New Cuyama), Southern, CVC
(2) Joshua Springs (Yucca Valley), Southern, Victory
(15) Ocean View Chr. (San Diego), San Diego, Citrus
First 4 out: Laguna Blanca (Santa Barbara)
Desert Christian (Bermuda Dunes)
Orcutt Academy
Upland Christian (Rancho Cucamonga)
(All are in Southern Section)
North (All other sections that have 8-man football) (5 automatic, 11 at-large)
Team, Section, League
(1) Redding Chr. (Palo Cedro), Northern, 8-man North
(16) Butte Valley^ (Dorris), Northern, 8-man North
(8) Trinity Chr.^ (Monterey), Central Coast, MTL
(9) Crystal Springs Uplands^ (Hillsboro), Central Coast, IND
(5) Stuart Hall (San Francisco), Central Coast, MTL
(12) Loyalton^, Northern, 8-man South
(4) Fresno Chr., Central, CSL
(13) Upper Lake, North Coast, NCL III
(6) Mercy (Red Bluff), Northern, 8-man South
(11) Calistoga^, North Coast, NCL III
(3) Hayfork^, Northern, 8-man North
(14) Point Arena^, North Coast, NCL III
(7) Anderson Valley^ (Booneville), North Coast, NCL III
(10) Pinewood^ (Los Altos Hills), Central Coast, MTL
(2) Big Valley^ (Bieber), Northern, 8-man North
(15) Riverdale Chr.^, Central Coast, MTL
Last 4 out: Greenville, Princeton, Tulelake, Tomales
If I did the crossover rule, Laguna Blanca would be in and Butte Valley would be out.
Monday, November 23, 2015
Saturday, November 7, 2015
Sac-Joaquin Section football playoff 2015
DIVISION III
(16) El Camino (Sacramento) @ (1) CENTRAL CATHOLIC (MODESTO)
(9) Christian Brothers (Sacramento) @ (8) Vanden (Fairfield)
(12) River Valley (Yuba City) @ (5) Placer (Auburn)
(13) Yuba City @ (4) PATTERSON
(11) CENTRAL VALLEY (CERES) @ (6) MANTECA
(14) Lincoln @ (3) Inderkum (Sacramento)
(10) Benicia @ (7) Vista del Lago (Folsom)
(15) El Dorado (Placerville) @ (2) OAKDALE
DIVISION I
(16) Kennedy (Sacramento) @ (1) Folsom
(9) Franklin (Elk Grove) @ (8) TURLOCK
(12) STAGG (STOCKTON) @ (5) ST. MARY'S (STOCKTON)
(13) Pleasant Grove (Elk Grove) @ (4) Napa
(11) LINCOLN (STOCKTON) @ (6) Cosumnes Oaks (Elk Grove)
(14) Monterey Trail (Elk Grove) @ (3) Oak Ridge (El Dorado Hills)
(10) MODESTO @ (7) MERCED
(15) GREGORI (MODESTO) @ (2) Elk Grove
DIVISION II
(16) BEYER (MODESTO) @ (1) Grant (Sacramento)
(9) Granite Bay @ (8) DOWNEY (MODESTO)
(12) Whitney (Rocklin) @ (5) Del Oro (Loomis)
(13) American Canyon @ (4) Wood (Vacaville)
(11) PITMAN (TURLOCK) @ (6) Del Campo (Fair Oaks)
(14) Burbank (Sacramento) @ (3) Rocklin
(10) MCNAIR (STOCKTON) @ (7) Sacramento
(15) WEST (TRACY) @ (2) Antelope
DIVISION IV
(8) LOS BANOS @ (1) LATHROP
(5) Dixon @ (4) LIBERTY RANCH (GALT)
(6) Union Mine (El Dorado) @ (3) SIERRA (MANTECA)
(7) Center (Antelope) @ (2) CALAVERAS (SAN ANDREAS)
DIVISION V
(8) Marysville @ (1) SONORA
(5) HUGHSON @ (4) ORESTIMBA (NEWMAN)
(6) Bear River (Grass Valley) @ (3) RIPON
(7) Highlands (North Highlands) @ (2) Capital Christian (Sacramento)
DIVISION VI
(8) MARIPOSA @ (1) HILMAR
(5) Golden Sierra (Garden Valley) @ (4) RIPON CHRISTIAN
(6) Rio Vista @ (3) GUSTINE
(7) AMADOR (SUTTER CREEK @ (2) Bradshaw Christian (Sacramento)
DIVISION VII
CCAA 3 MILLENNIUM @ SMAL 2 Woodland Christian
winner plays CCAA 1 STONE RIDGE CHRISTIAN (MERCED)
SMAL 3 Foresthill @ CCAA 2 BIG VALLEY (MODESTO)
winner plays SMAL 1 Delta (Clarksburg)
CENTRAL SECTION DIVISION V
1st round
(9) Lindsay @ (8) Caruthers
(10) Bishop @ (7) Mendota
2nd round
LIN/CAR @ (1) Immanuel (Reedley)
(5) Kern Valley (Lake Isabella) @ (4) Woodlake
(6) Firebaugh @ (3) DOS PALOS
BIS/MEN @ (2) Fowler
DIVISION II
(16) BEYER (MODESTO) @ (1) Grant (Sacramento)
(9) Granite Bay @ (8) DOWNEY (MODESTO)
(12) Whitney (Rocklin) @ (5) Del Oro (Loomis)
(13) American Canyon @ (4) Wood (Vacaville)
(11) PITMAN (TURLOCK) @ (6) Del Campo (Fair Oaks)
(14) Burbank (Sacramento) @ (3) Rocklin
(10) MCNAIR (STOCKTON) @ (7) Sacramento
(15) WEST (TRACY) @ (2) Antelope
DIVISION IV
(8) LOS BANOS @ (1) LATHROP
(5) Dixon @ (4) LIBERTY RANCH (GALT)
(6) Union Mine (El Dorado) @ (3) SIERRA (MANTECA)
(7) Center (Antelope) @ (2) CALAVERAS (SAN ANDREAS)
DIVISION V
(8) Marysville @ (1) SONORA
(5) HUGHSON @ (4) ORESTIMBA (NEWMAN)
(6) Bear River (Grass Valley) @ (3) RIPON
(7) Highlands (North Highlands) @ (2) Capital Christian (Sacramento)
DIVISION VI
(8) MARIPOSA @ (1) HILMAR
(5) Golden Sierra (Garden Valley) @ (4) RIPON CHRISTIAN
(6) Rio Vista @ (3) GUSTINE
(7) AMADOR (SUTTER CREEK @ (2) Bradshaw Christian (Sacramento)
DIVISION VII
CCAA 3 MILLENNIUM @ SMAL 2 Woodland Christian
winner plays CCAA 1 STONE RIDGE CHRISTIAN (MERCED)
SMAL 3 Foresthill @ CCAA 2 BIG VALLEY (MODESTO)
winner plays SMAL 1 Delta (Clarksburg)
CENTRAL SECTION DIVISION V
1st round
(9) Lindsay @ (8) Caruthers
(10) Bishop @ (7) Mendota
2nd round
LIN/CAR @ (1) Immanuel (Reedley)
(5) Kern Valley (Lake Isabella) @ (4) Woodlake
(6) Firebaugh @ (3) DOS PALOS
BIS/MEN @ (2) Fowler
Sunday, October 4, 2015
If I Was King of Sports- College Football Playoffs 2015 Final Postseason
I was very happy when the NCAA dumped the BCS and went to a playoff to decide the national champion. However, four teams are not enough. What I don't like is a team like Middle Tennessee State could have the quality of a SEC team one year, go undefeated, and not have a chance at the national championship, even if it is the best team that particular year, because it plays in a weak conference. If I was king of sports, the college football national championship would be a 12-team playoff. The ten conference champions would qualify plus two wildcards. The bowl system would be used like NIT is in basketball, as a reward for teams with a good season, but who did not qualify for the main tournament. For those who say 12 teams is too many, every other division in the NCAA or NAIA uses at least a 16-team playoff, including Division III that has a 32-team playoff.
In my vision, a committee would seed the teams from 1-16. The top 4 would be granted a bye in the first round. A wildcard would not be allowed to have a top-4 seed, unless it has a top 4 record, regardless of the strength of the other conferences.
This would be my bracket after week 6. Unless a head-to-head matchup has actually occured, I used point differential to break a tie. At this point, it is just a model. Things will happen the way they are supposed to be at the end of the season. (Update 11/5 Now that the college football playoff rankings are now out, if two teams are tied and have not had the opportunity to play each other, yet, the higher ranked team will be considered "the conference leader". Also, the record for Toledo is reflected before the week began, which is when I would have updated the project if I had time).
*=Wildcard
(1) Clemson (8-0 ACC, 13-0) would have a bye
(9) Western Kentucky (8-0 CUSA, 11-2) @ (8) Houston (7-1 AAC, 12-1)
(12) Arkansas St. (8-0 SBC, 10-3) @ (5) Iowa (8-0 Big 10, 12-1)*
(4) Oklahoma (8-1 Big 12, 11-1) would have a bye
(11) Bowling Green (7-1 MAC, 10-3) @ (6) Stanford (8-1 PAC-12, 11-2)
(3) Michigan St. (7-1 BIg 10, 12-1) would have a bye
(10) San Diego St. (8-0 MWC, 10-3) @ (7) Ohio St. (7-1 Big 10, 11-1)*
(2) Alabama (7-1 SEC, 12-1) would have a bye)
First two teams out: Notre Dame (10-2), Florida St. (10-2)
In my vision, a committee would seed the teams from 1-16. The top 4 would be granted a bye in the first round. A wildcard would not be allowed to have a top-4 seed, unless it has a top 4 record, regardless of the strength of the other conferences.
This would be my bracket after week 6. Unless a head-to-head matchup has actually occured, I used point differential to break a tie. At this point, it is just a model. Things will happen the way they are supposed to be at the end of the season. (Update 11/5 Now that the college football playoff rankings are now out, if two teams are tied and have not had the opportunity to play each other, yet, the higher ranked team will be considered "the conference leader". Also, the record for Toledo is reflected before the week began, which is when I would have updated the project if I had time).
*=Wildcard
(1) Clemson (8-0 ACC, 13-0) would have a bye
(9) Western Kentucky (8-0 CUSA, 11-2) @ (8) Houston (7-1 AAC, 12-1)
(12) Arkansas St. (8-0 SBC, 10-3) @ (5) Iowa (8-0 Big 10, 12-1)*
(4) Oklahoma (8-1 Big 12, 11-1) would have a bye
(11) Bowling Green (7-1 MAC, 10-3) @ (6) Stanford (8-1 PAC-12, 11-2)
(3) Michigan St. (7-1 BIg 10, 12-1) would have a bye
(10) San Diego St. (8-0 MWC, 10-3) @ (7) Ohio St. (7-1 Big 10, 11-1)*
(2) Alabama (7-1 SEC, 12-1) would have a bye)
First two teams out: Notre Dame (10-2), Florida St. (10-2)
Week 5 High School Football playoffs
I wanted to see what the playoff field would look like if the regular season ended today. There is one change in the way teams qualify for the playoffs. Seven leagues will receive an extra automatic bid due to the playoff success (DL, PVL, SFL, SL, TVL, TCC, and VOL). That means the number of at-large bids drops from 28 to 21 (at this point, all but one team in the leagues with the extra bids would have made the playoffs anyway. Pioneer is the team that wouldn't have, and Gregori would now be out.) There are two changes in division placement. League champions now have to play in the division the league is assigned. For example, Wood is small enough for Division III, but since it is leading a Division I league, it would have to play in Division I. The second one is that the definition of "competition success" has broadened. The only team that would have moved up because of the playoffs would not be in as of now (but expect that to change at the actual end of season).
Last 4 teams in: Vintage, Highlands, St. Mary's, Franklin (Elk Grove)
First 2 teams out: Gregori, Golden Valley (I would have done 1st 4 if I thought about it earlier, but I remember these are the first two.)
Division I
(16) Enochs (Modesto) @ (1) Folsom
(9) Woodcreek (Roseville) @ (8) Pleasant Grove (Elk Grove)
(12) Modesto @ (5) Cosumnes Oaks (Elk Grove)
(13) West (Tracy) @ (4) Oak Ridge (El Dorado Hills)
(11) Monterey Trail (Elk Grove) @ (6) Turlock
(14) Chavez (Stockton) @ (3) Wood (Vacaville)
(10) McNair (Stockton) @ (7) Franklin (Elk Grove)
(15) Kennedy (Sacramento) @ (2) Elk Grove
DIVISION II
(16) Tokay (Lodi) @ (1) Grant (Sacramento)
(9) Whitney (Rocklin) @ (8) Turlock
(12) Downey (Modesto) @ (5) Antelope
(13) Sacramento @ (4) Napa
(11) Jesuit (Carmichael) @ (6) Rocklin
(14) Vanden (Fairfield) @ (3) Del Oro (Loomis)
(10) Del Campo (Fair Oaks) @ (7) St. Mary's (Stockton)
(15) Vintage (Napa) @ (2) Granite Bay
DIVISION III
(16) Pioneer (Woodland) @ (1) Oakdale
(9) Vista del Lago (Folsom) @ (8) Los Banos
(12) Sierra (Manteca) @ (5) River Valley (Yuba City)
(13) Christian Brothers (Sacramento) @ (4) Patterson
(11) Burbank (Sacramento) @ (6) Placer (Auburn)
(14) Central Valley (Ceres) @ (3) Manteca
(10) Benicia @ (7) Inderkum (Sacramento)
(15) El Dorado (Placrrville) @ (2) Central Catholic (Modesto)
DIVISION IV
(8) Lindhurst (Olivehurst) @ (1) Sonora
(5) Weston Ranch (Stockton) @ (4) Union Mine (El Dorado)
(6) Dixon @ (3) Calaveras (San Andreas)
(7) Center (Antelope) @ (2) Lathrop
DIVISION V
(8) Amador (Sutter Creek) @ (1) Bear River (Grass Valley)
(5) Orestimba (Newman) @ (4) Escalon
(6) Marysville @ (3) Hughson
(7) Hilmar @ (2) Highlands (North Highlands)
DIVISION VI
(8) Rio Vista @ (1) Capital Christian
(5) Summerville (Tuolumne City) @ (4) Ripon Christian
(6) Golden Sierra (Garden Valley) @ (3) Gustine
(7) Mariposa @ (2) Bradshaw Christian (Sacramento)
DIVISION VII
CCAA 1 Stone Ridge Christian would have a bye
SMAL 3 Valley Christian (Roseville) @ CCAA 2 Brookside Christian (Stockton)
SMAL 1 Woodland Christian would have a bye
CCAA 3 Big Valley (Modesto) @ SMAL 2 Delta (Clarksburg)
Three teams I think will be in the playoffs who are not there now: Colfax, Gregori (Modesto), Modesto Christian
Three teams 1 think won't be in the playoffs who would be there now: Monterey Trail (Elk Grove), West (Tracy), Weston Ranch (Stockton)
DIVISION III
(16) Pioneer (Woodland) @ (1) Oakdale
(9) Vista del Lago (Folsom) @ (8) Los Banos
(12) Sierra (Manteca) @ (5) River Valley (Yuba City)
(13) Christian Brothers (Sacramento) @ (4) Patterson
(11) Burbank (Sacramento) @ (6) Placer (Auburn)
(14) Central Valley (Ceres) @ (3) Manteca
(10) Benicia @ (7) Inderkum (Sacramento)
(15) El Dorado (Placrrville) @ (2) Central Catholic (Modesto)
DIVISION IV
(8) Lindhurst (Olivehurst) @ (1) Sonora
(5) Weston Ranch (Stockton) @ (4) Union Mine (El Dorado)
(6) Dixon @ (3) Calaveras (San Andreas)
(7) Center (Antelope) @ (2) Lathrop
DIVISION V
(8) Amador (Sutter Creek) @ (1) Bear River (Grass Valley)
(5) Orestimba (Newman) @ (4) Escalon
(6) Marysville @ (3) Hughson
(7) Hilmar @ (2) Highlands (North Highlands)
DIVISION VI
(8) Rio Vista @ (1) Capital Christian
(5) Summerville (Tuolumne City) @ (4) Ripon Christian
(6) Golden Sierra (Garden Valley) @ (3) Gustine
(7) Mariposa @ (2) Bradshaw Christian (Sacramento)
DIVISION VII
CCAA 1 Stone Ridge Christian would have a bye
SMAL 3 Valley Christian (Roseville) @ CCAA 2 Brookside Christian (Stockton)
SMAL 1 Woodland Christian would have a bye
CCAA 3 Big Valley (Modesto) @ SMAL 2 Delta (Clarksburg)
Three teams I think will be in the playoffs who are not there now: Colfax, Gregori (Modesto), Modesto Christian
Three teams 1 think won't be in the playoffs who would be there now: Monterey Trail (Elk Grove), West (Tracy), Weston Ranch (Stockton)
Friday, September 11, 2015
2015 NCAA Division I-A top 4/Lower Division Playoffs
NCAA DIVISION I FBS (4 in playoffs)
Team and week 13 opponent
1. Clemson (vs. North Carolina @ Charlotte, NC)
2. Alabama (@ Auburn)
3. Oklahoma (@ #11 Oklahoma St.)
4. Iowa (@ Nebraska 11/27)
NCAA DIVISION I FCS
Round 2 playoffs
Chattanooga @ #1 Jacksonville St.
NCAA DIVISION II Second Round
Super Regional 1
(5) Indiana (PA) @ (1) Shepherd
(3) Assumption @ (2) Slippery Rock
Super Regional 4
(4) Colorado St.-Pueblo @ (1) Midwestern St.
(6) Grand Valley St. @ (2) Ferris St.
Super Regional 3
(4) Valdosta St. @ (1) West Georgia
(6) Tuskegee @ (2) North Alabama
Super Regional 2
(4) Humboldt St. @ (1) Northwest Missouri St.
(7) Emporia St. @ (3) Henderson St.
NCAA DIVISION III Second Round
St. John's (MN) @ St. Thomas
Wabash @ Thomas More
SUNY-Cortland @ Linfield
Mary Hardin-Baylor @ Huntingdon
Albright @ Mt. Union
Johns Hopkins @ Wesley
Ohio Northern @ Wisconsin-Oshkosh
Wheaton (IL) @ Wisconsin-Whitewater
NAIA Quarterfinals
Tabor @ Morningside
Southern Oregon @ Baker
Marian @ Grand View
Montana Tech @ St. Francis (IN)
NCAA DIVISION II Second Round
Super Regional 1
(5) Indiana (PA) @ (1) Shepherd
(3) Assumption @ (2) Slippery Rock
Super Regional 4
(4) Colorado St.-Pueblo @ (1) Midwestern St.
(6) Grand Valley St. @ (2) Ferris St.
Super Regional 3
(4) Valdosta St. @ (1) West Georgia
(6) Tuskegee @ (2) North Alabama
Super Regional 2
(4) Humboldt St. @ (1) Northwest Missouri St.
(7) Emporia St. @ (3) Henderson St.
NCAA DIVISION III Second Round
St. John's (MN) @ St. Thomas
Wabash @ Thomas More
SUNY-Cortland @ Linfield
Mary Hardin-Baylor @ Huntingdon
Albright @ Mt. Union
Johns Hopkins @ Wesley
Ohio Northern @ Wisconsin-Oshkosh
Wheaton (IL) @ Wisconsin-Whitewater
NAIA Quarterfinals
Tabor @ Morningside
Southern Oregon @ Baker
Marian @ Grand View
Montana Tech @ St. Francis (IN)
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
Year 3 of baseball/softball NIT if I Was King of Sports
by Matt Groom
This is the third year of my baseball NIT bracket. If I was King of Sports, there would be a NIT for NCAA baseball. The idea started two years ago when 30-29 Florida was invited to play in the NCAA baseball tournament and 43-10 Campbell was not. Maybe Campbell was not one of the best 64 teams, but I do believe that 43-10 deserves some extra baseball. I created a bracket that would invite all teams that had a better record than the at-large with the worst record in the tournament. I would also invite Division II teams that did not make it to its College World Series if there were not enough teams to fill in the bracket. In this tournament, the only teams invited would be those who had a better record than the worst at-large team, no more, no less. The NCAA tournament is meant to invite the best teams. My tournament's purpose is to reward the teams with great seasons who did not get an NCAA tournament invite. Because of that, the teams invited, hosts, and seeds are decided solely by record. If two teams tie, then strength of schedule would break the tie.
In case you are interested, here is the link to the actual NCAA tournament bracket:
http://www.ncaa.com/interactive-bracket/baseball/d1
Here would be the field for the 2015 season if I Was King of Sports
Team in question: Mississippi Rebels (30-26 .536). This year, 61 schools had better records. Two have had an equal record. If this tournament happened my way, there would be 64 teams in it (the 63 plus one division II school). The playing style would be the same as the NCAA tournament.
Region I- @ Jacksonville, FL (Host: North Florida Ospreys) (Division II school in italics)
(4) Nova Southeastern (39-13) vs. (1) North Florida (45-16)
(3) McNeese St. (32-25) vs. (2) Duke (31-22)
Region XVI- @ St. Louis, MO (Host: St. Louis Bilikins)
(4) Rider (28-22) vs. (1) St. Louis (35-21)
(3) Illinois-Chicago (29-22) vs. (2) Southeast Missouri St. (36-23)
Region VIII- @ Annapolis, MD (Host: Navy Midshipmen)
(4) Wagner (29-23) vs. (1) Navy (37-20)
(3) Connecticut (35-25) vs. (2) George Washington (32-22)
Region IX- @ Thibodaux, LA (Host: Nicholls St. Colonels)
(4) Troy (30-25) vs. (1) Nicholls St. (34-19)
(3) UAB (33-25) vs. (2) Arkansas-Pine Bluff (25-16)
Region V- @ Hattiesburg, MS (Host: Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles)
(4) New Mexico (32-27) vs. (1) Southern Mississippi (36-18)
(3) Northwestern St. (31-23) vs. (2) UC-Irvine (33-23)
Region XII- @ Columbus, OH (Host: Ohio St. Buckeyes)
(4) Evansville (29-24) vs. (1) Ohio St. (35-20)
(3) Texas Tech (31-24) vs. (2) Central Michigan (35-22)
Region IV- @ Rock Hill, SC (Host: Winthrop Eagles)
(4) Bryant (29-25) vs. (1) Winthrop (40-19)
(3) South Carolina (32-25) @ (2) North Carolina (34-24)
Region XIII- @ Baltimore, MD (Host: Maryland-Baltimore County Retrievers)
(4) Sacramento St. (32-27) vs. (1) Maryland-Baltimore County (34-20)
(3) Campbell (32-25) vs. (2) Penn (22-15)
Region VI- @ Milwaukee, WI (Host: Milwaukee Panthers)
(4) Washington (29-25) vs. (1) Milwaukee (39-20)
(3) Kent St. (31-22) vs. (2) Michigan St. (34-23)
Region XI- @ Memphis, TN (Host: Memphis Tigers)
(4) Central Arkansas (29-24) vs. (1) Memphis (37-21)
(3) Ball St. (33-25) vs. (2) San Diego (33-22)
Region III- @ Hammond, LA (Host: Southeastern Louisiana Lions)
(4) Florida Gulf Coast (30-26) vs. (1) Southeast Louisiana (42-17)
(3) UTSA (33-25) vs. (2) Grand Canyon (32-22)
Region XIV- @ Norfolk, VA (Host: Norfolk St. Spartans)
(4) Samford (32-26) vs. (1) Norfolk St. (27-16)
(3) Davidson (28-22) vs. (2) Liberty (33-23)
Region VII- @ Mobile, AL (Host: South Alabama Jaguars)
(4) Middle Tennessee St. (32-27) vs. (1) South Alabama (37-20)
(3) Georgia Tech (32-23) vs. (2) Alabama St. (31-19)
Region X- @ Spartanburg, SC (Host: Wofford Terriers)
(4) Kentucky (30-25) vs. (1) Wofford (39-22)
(3) Jackson St. (32-25) vs. (2) South Dakota St. (33-23)
Region XV- @ Omaha, NE (Host: Creighton Blue Jays)
(4) Oklahoma (34-27) vs. (1) Creighton (32-19)
(3) Northridge St. (33-24) vs. (2) Nebraska (34-23)
Region II- @ Reno, NV (Host: Nevada Wolfpack)
(4) UC-Davis (30-26) vs. (1) Nevada (41-15)
(3) Arizona (31-24) vs. (2) Loyola Marymount (33-21)
I understand that if this tournament were to actually happen, there would have to be a set number of teams invited so that people behind the scenes can plan to
make it the best tournament possible for players, coaches, and fans. The way I have designed it does not call for that. It only calls for those who have great seasons.
This year, I have also designed one for softball. The same rules apply. This year, I allowed for a play-in game since there were a few extra teams. Fifty-one teams had better records than the worst at-large team to be invited to the NCAA tournament. This year, if this tournament was real, and I had everything my way, there would be 8 brackets with 6 teams each (plus 3 play-in games). The winners would advance to the championship series. Like the tournament, it would be double-elimination (except for the play-in games).
Team invited to NCAA tournament with the worst record: Kentucky (29-24, .547)
Region I- Kent, OH (Kent St.)
(6) Purdue (31-25)/Florida International (30-24) winner vs. (1) Kent St. (41-13)
(5) Canisius (26-19) vs. (2) IUPUI (33-18)
(4) Drake (32-21) vs. (3) Kennesaw St. (32-19)
Region VIII- Natchitoches, LA (Northwestern St.)
(6) Delaware (30-23) vs. (1) Northwestern St. (36-18)
(5) Hawai'i (32-22) vs. (2) Idaho St. (34-18)
(4) Louisiana Tech (31-19) vs. (3) Mercer (37-22)
Region IV- Riverside, CA (UC-Riverside)
(6) St. Joseph's (23-18) vs. (1) UC-Riverside (39-17)
(5) Ohio St. (30-22) vs. (2) San Jose St. (37-19)
(4) Texas St. (32-21) vs. (3) St. Francis (PA) (31-19)
Region V- Jacksonville, AL (Jacksonville St.)
(6) Savannah St. (22-17) vs. (1) Jacksonville St. (38-17)
(5) Elon (31-22) vs. (2) South Florida (36-20)
(4) Samford (32-22) vs. (3) Georgia St. (38-22)
Region III- Huntington, WV (Marshall)
(6) Lipscomb (31-25)/Grand Canyon (28-22) winner vs. (1) Marshall (35-15)
(5) Coastal Carolina (31-24) vs. (2) Harvard (28-15-1)
(4) Towson (31-22) vs. (3) Bucknell (35-20)
Region VI- Murray, KY (Murray St.)
(6) Miami (OH) (32-24) vs. (1) Murray St. (38-19)
(5) Troy (32-23) vs. (2) St. Louis (36-18)
(4) Stetson (30-20) vs. (3) Albany (30-18)
Region II- Dayton, OH (Dayton)
(6) Furman (31-25)/San Diego (29-23) winner vs. (1) Dayton (39-14)
(5) Rutgers (29-20) vs. (2) Stony Brook (30-16)
(4) Wichita St. (34-23) vs. (3) UAB (32-19)
Region VII- San Antonio, TX (UTSA)
(6) Manhattan (26-20) vs. (1) UTSA (36-18)
(5) Louisiana-Monroe (30-22) vs. (2) Tulsa (36-18)
(4) Fullerton St. (34-22) vs. (3) McNeese St. (36-20)
This is the third year of my baseball NIT bracket. If I was King of Sports, there would be a NIT for NCAA baseball. The idea started two years ago when 30-29 Florida was invited to play in the NCAA baseball tournament and 43-10 Campbell was not. Maybe Campbell was not one of the best 64 teams, but I do believe that 43-10 deserves some extra baseball. I created a bracket that would invite all teams that had a better record than the at-large with the worst record in the tournament. I would also invite Division II teams that did not make it to its College World Series if there were not enough teams to fill in the bracket. In this tournament, the only teams invited would be those who had a better record than the worst at-large team, no more, no less. The NCAA tournament is meant to invite the best teams. My tournament's purpose is to reward the teams with great seasons who did not get an NCAA tournament invite. Because of that, the teams invited, hosts, and seeds are decided solely by record. If two teams tie, then strength of schedule would break the tie.
In case you are interested, here is the link to the actual NCAA tournament bracket:
http://www.ncaa.com/interactive-bracket/baseball/d1
Here would be the field for the 2015 season if I Was King of Sports
Team in question: Mississippi Rebels (30-26 .536). This year, 61 schools had better records. Two have had an equal record. If this tournament happened my way, there would be 64 teams in it (the 63 plus one division II school). The playing style would be the same as the NCAA tournament.
Region I- @ Jacksonville, FL (Host: North Florida Ospreys) (Division II school in italics)
(4) Nova Southeastern (39-13) vs. (1) North Florida (45-16)
(3) McNeese St. (32-25) vs. (2) Duke (31-22)
Region XVI- @ St. Louis, MO (Host: St. Louis Bilikins)
(4) Rider (28-22) vs. (1) St. Louis (35-21)
(3) Illinois-Chicago (29-22) vs. (2) Southeast Missouri St. (36-23)
Region VIII- @ Annapolis, MD (Host: Navy Midshipmen)
(4) Wagner (29-23) vs. (1) Navy (37-20)
(3) Connecticut (35-25) vs. (2) George Washington (32-22)
Region IX- @ Thibodaux, LA (Host: Nicholls St. Colonels)
(4) Troy (30-25) vs. (1) Nicholls St. (34-19)
(3) UAB (33-25) vs. (2) Arkansas-Pine Bluff (25-16)
Region V- @ Hattiesburg, MS (Host: Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles)
(4) New Mexico (32-27) vs. (1) Southern Mississippi (36-18)
(3) Northwestern St. (31-23) vs. (2) UC-Irvine (33-23)
Region XII- @ Columbus, OH (Host: Ohio St. Buckeyes)
(4) Evansville (29-24) vs. (1) Ohio St. (35-20)
(3) Texas Tech (31-24) vs. (2) Central Michigan (35-22)
Region IV- @ Rock Hill, SC (Host: Winthrop Eagles)
(4) Bryant (29-25) vs. (1) Winthrop (40-19)
(3) South Carolina (32-25) @ (2) North Carolina (34-24)
Region XIII- @ Baltimore, MD (Host: Maryland-Baltimore County Retrievers)
(4) Sacramento St. (32-27) vs. (1) Maryland-Baltimore County (34-20)
(3) Campbell (32-25) vs. (2) Penn (22-15)
Region VI- @ Milwaukee, WI (Host: Milwaukee Panthers)
(4) Washington (29-25) vs. (1) Milwaukee (39-20)
(3) Kent St. (31-22) vs. (2) Michigan St. (34-23)
Region XI- @ Memphis, TN (Host: Memphis Tigers)
(4) Central Arkansas (29-24) vs. (1) Memphis (37-21)
(3) Ball St. (33-25) vs. (2) San Diego (33-22)
Region III- @ Hammond, LA (Host: Southeastern Louisiana Lions)
(4) Florida Gulf Coast (30-26) vs. (1) Southeast Louisiana (42-17)
(3) UTSA (33-25) vs. (2) Grand Canyon (32-22)
Region XIV- @ Norfolk, VA (Host: Norfolk St. Spartans)
(4) Samford (32-26) vs. (1) Norfolk St. (27-16)
(3) Davidson (28-22) vs. (2) Liberty (33-23)
Region VII- @ Mobile, AL (Host: South Alabama Jaguars)
(4) Middle Tennessee St. (32-27) vs. (1) South Alabama (37-20)
(3) Georgia Tech (32-23) vs. (2) Alabama St. (31-19)
Region X- @ Spartanburg, SC (Host: Wofford Terriers)
(4) Kentucky (30-25) vs. (1) Wofford (39-22)
(3) Jackson St. (32-25) vs. (2) South Dakota St. (33-23)
Region XV- @ Omaha, NE (Host: Creighton Blue Jays)
(4) Oklahoma (34-27) vs. (1) Creighton (32-19)
(3) Northridge St. (33-24) vs. (2) Nebraska (34-23)
Region II- @ Reno, NV (Host: Nevada Wolfpack)
(4) UC-Davis (30-26) vs. (1) Nevada (41-15)
(3) Arizona (31-24) vs. (2) Loyola Marymount (33-21)
I understand that if this tournament were to actually happen, there would have to be a set number of teams invited so that people behind the scenes can plan to
make it the best tournament possible for players, coaches, and fans. The way I have designed it does not call for that. It only calls for those who have great seasons.
This year, I have also designed one for softball. The same rules apply. This year, I allowed for a play-in game since there were a few extra teams. Fifty-one teams had better records than the worst at-large team to be invited to the NCAA tournament. This year, if this tournament was real, and I had everything my way, there would be 8 brackets with 6 teams each (plus 3 play-in games). The winners would advance to the championship series. Like the tournament, it would be double-elimination (except for the play-in games).
Team invited to NCAA tournament with the worst record: Kentucky (29-24, .547)
Region I- Kent, OH (Kent St.)
(6) Purdue (31-25)/Florida International (30-24) winner vs. (1) Kent St. (41-13)
(5) Canisius (26-19) vs. (2) IUPUI (33-18)
(4) Drake (32-21) vs. (3) Kennesaw St. (32-19)
Region VIII- Natchitoches, LA (Northwestern St.)
(6) Delaware (30-23) vs. (1) Northwestern St. (36-18)
(5) Hawai'i (32-22) vs. (2) Idaho St. (34-18)
(4) Louisiana Tech (31-19) vs. (3) Mercer (37-22)
Region IV- Riverside, CA (UC-Riverside)
(6) St. Joseph's (23-18) vs. (1) UC-Riverside (39-17)
(5) Ohio St. (30-22) vs. (2) San Jose St. (37-19)
(4) Texas St. (32-21) vs. (3) St. Francis (PA) (31-19)
Region V- Jacksonville, AL (Jacksonville St.)
(6) Savannah St. (22-17) vs. (1) Jacksonville St. (38-17)
(5) Elon (31-22) vs. (2) South Florida (36-20)
(4) Samford (32-22) vs. (3) Georgia St. (38-22)
Region III- Huntington, WV (Marshall)
(6) Lipscomb (31-25)/Grand Canyon (28-22) winner vs. (1) Marshall (35-15)
(5) Coastal Carolina (31-24) vs. (2) Harvard (28-15-1)
(4) Towson (31-22) vs. (3) Bucknell (35-20)
Region VI- Murray, KY (Murray St.)
(6) Miami (OH) (32-24) vs. (1) Murray St. (38-19)
(5) Troy (32-23) vs. (2) St. Louis (36-18)
(4) Stetson (30-20) vs. (3) Albany (30-18)
Region II- Dayton, OH (Dayton)
(6) Furman (31-25)/San Diego (29-23) winner vs. (1) Dayton (39-14)
(5) Rutgers (29-20) vs. (2) Stony Brook (30-16)
(4) Wichita St. (34-23) vs. (3) UAB (32-19)
Region VII- San Antonio, TX (UTSA)
(6) Manhattan (26-20) vs. (1) UTSA (36-18)
(5) Louisiana-Monroe (30-22) vs. (2) Tulsa (36-18)
(4) Fullerton St. (34-22) vs. (3) McNeese St. (36-20)
Monday, April 27, 2015
If I Was King of Sports: Rules NFL should adopt from other football leagues
There are some NFL football rules I would like changed, but I am not going to focus on those, including the "Calvin Johnson rule" about the "complete process of a catch". I will say it was a stupid rule when it happened to Calvin Johnson, and it was stupid when it happened to Dez Bryant of the Dallas Cowboys. This blog will focus on the rules that are in place in other football leagues, that I think should be in place in the NFL. By the way, adapting rules from other leagues would not be unprecedented. The NBA adopted the 3-point line when it merged with the ABA in 1976. Before that, the NBA did not have a 3-point line, but the ABA did to generate more offense.
Rule 1: Pass interference calls can be challenged by the coach. Where it is found: CFL
In the Canadian Football League (CFL), coaches are allowed to use one of their challenges on a pass interference call. The NFL needs to do the same. There are times the flow of games can be changed on a bad pass interference call. Plus, a 15-yard penalty can make a big impact on the game. There needs to be some accountability.
Rule 2: Have a player from each team run for the ball to determine who starts the game with the ball. Where it was found: XFL
As ridiculous as the XFL was in the one year of its existence, this rule was one of the few things it got right. It pitted two people in a contest to see who wants the ball more. It is more entertaining than just tossing a coin. These days, there is more of a focus towards safety issues, so there would have to be adjustments. Maybe the two athletes can run side-by-side, or run at a diangel. Whatever they decide, I want to see something more than a coin toss.
Rule 3: Make field goals and extra points harder. Where it is found: Arena football
"Goalposts" in the Arena Football League are 15 feet high and 9 and a half feet wide (as opposed to 10 feet high and 18 feet wide in the NFL). Field goals and extra points are not automatic in the AFL, because of the height and narrowness of the goalposts. The NFL experimented with having 14-foot wide goalposts at the Pro Bowl. The percentage of the field goals made was reduced from kickers who are normally "automatic".
Rule 4: Review helmet-to-helmet calls. Where it is found: NCAA
Like pass interference, the helmet-to-helmet calls can impact a game if they are mistakenly called. I understand that in live action, it can be difficult for officials to tell whether or not a player hit another one with his helmet or not. The referees are to rule on the side of safety in this case. There was a dispute on whether (I think it was) Ahmed Brooks of the San Francisco 49ers hit Seattle Seahawks quarterback, Russell Wilson, with his helmet. The referees called the penalty, and it cost the 49ers 15 yards, and Seattle eventually scored on that drive. Later in the week, the NFL reviewed it, and ruled that it should not have been a penalty on the 49ers. If I was King of Sports, those plays would be automatically reviewed like it is in the NCAA. Of course, the reason why it is reviewed in the NCAA is because those plays are grounds for ejection if the player was considered to be "targeting", and no one wants to see a player ejected for making a hard, legal hit. Those plays should be reviewed, because they can impact a game for one team if the call was ruled to be incorrect.
Rule 1: Pass interference calls can be challenged by the coach. Where it is found: CFL
In the Canadian Football League (CFL), coaches are allowed to use one of their challenges on a pass interference call. The NFL needs to do the same. There are times the flow of games can be changed on a bad pass interference call. Plus, a 15-yard penalty can make a big impact on the game. There needs to be some accountability.
Rule 2: Have a player from each team run for the ball to determine who starts the game with the ball. Where it was found: XFL
As ridiculous as the XFL was in the one year of its existence, this rule was one of the few things it got right. It pitted two people in a contest to see who wants the ball more. It is more entertaining than just tossing a coin. These days, there is more of a focus towards safety issues, so there would have to be adjustments. Maybe the two athletes can run side-by-side, or run at a diangel. Whatever they decide, I want to see something more than a coin toss.
Rule 3: Make field goals and extra points harder. Where it is found: Arena football
"Goalposts" in the Arena Football League are 15 feet high and 9 and a half feet wide (as opposed to 10 feet high and 18 feet wide in the NFL). Field goals and extra points are not automatic in the AFL, because of the height and narrowness of the goalposts. The NFL experimented with having 14-foot wide goalposts at the Pro Bowl. The percentage of the field goals made was reduced from kickers who are normally "automatic".
Rule 4: Review helmet-to-helmet calls. Where it is found: NCAA
Like pass interference, the helmet-to-helmet calls can impact a game if they are mistakenly called. I understand that in live action, it can be difficult for officials to tell whether or not a player hit another one with his helmet or not. The referees are to rule on the side of safety in this case. There was a dispute on whether (I think it was) Ahmed Brooks of the San Francisco 49ers hit Seattle Seahawks quarterback, Russell Wilson, with his helmet. The referees called the penalty, and it cost the 49ers 15 yards, and Seattle eventually scored on that drive. Later in the week, the NFL reviewed it, and ruled that it should not have been a penalty on the 49ers. If I was King of Sports, those plays would be automatically reviewed like it is in the NCAA. Of course, the reason why it is reviewed in the NCAA is because those plays are grounds for ejection if the player was considered to be "targeting", and no one wants to see a player ejected for making a hard, legal hit. Those plays should be reviewed, because they can impact a game for one team if the call was ruled to be incorrect.
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