I'm still new to this whole 'basketball'-thing, so forgive me if this question sounds a bit .. elementary. However, I would like to know why is the NCAA Tournament open to all Division 1 teams. There are something like 300 teams (or whatever) competing for 64 spots in the tournament. Why isn't this done more like football, where FBS (130 teams) have their bowl/playoff system, the FCS (all the other Division 1 teams) have their own playoff, and Division 2 and 3 have their own playoffs? I assume this has something to do with "money". But, aside from Gonzaga or whatever, the number of non-(for lack of a better word) FBS programs that make it to the Final 4, historically, is actually rather low, isn't it? It's usually big name, big conference programs, right (e.g. Kentucky, UCLA, Kansas, UNC, etc.)? As a percentage of the total number of those "non-FBS" programs, how many unique programs get into the Tournament and are able to advance? Wouldn't - I'm just going to use Gonzaga here as an example because I don't actually know of many other consistently-good "non-FBS" programs - Gonzaga have a lower NET and ranking if they had to play in strong Division 1 conferences (as we do), year in and year out? I heard an announcer say earlier this season that Gonzaga will only have a couple of losses and finish ranked in the top 2 or 3 (or whatever). But, the big hit is they play in a conference with NO OTHER STRONG TEAMS. Doesn't this make it unfair for those who do? I'm unclear how we're all competing to get into the same Tournament. (I mean, there is the NIT. It's not like there couldn't be another Tournament for those other teams).
I also have another question about the B1G tournament and it's much easier to answer, I'm sure. What would happen if .. I don't know .. Nebraska (who only have like 2 conference wins this season .. or something, and is in last place in our conference) were to somehow win the B1G tournament? Does that mean that they claim a share of the conference title (even though Wisconsin has the most conference wins)? Or, does it mean absolutely nothing? If so, why do we play the conference tournament? Just for the opportunity to play more games?
Thanks.
I also have another question about the B1G tournament and it's much easier to answer, I'm sure. What would happen if .. I don't know .. Nebraska (who only have like 2 conference wins this season .. or something, and is in last place in our conference) were to somehow win the B1G tournament? Does that mean that they claim a share of the conference title (even though Wisconsin has the most conference wins)? Or, does it mean absolutely nothing? If so, why do we play the conference tournament? Just for the opportunity to play more games?
Thanks.