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If you look at the Class A and AA scores from Tuesday, I'm sure you saw the same thing I did - 7-0, 10-0, 9-0, 10-0, 8-0. I'm trying to contain my excitement as I type this from all the enthusiasm created from those results.
Each year, I look at what the NCAA does with more interest. Late last year, the IHSA wanted to go down the same road the NCAA did regarding picture profits. It had hoped to restrict the media from selling photos from state finals events. If the IHSA is that worried about the mighty dollar bill, here's an idea that will not only help its pockets - but the interest level of the current AYSO-tournament format.
(Hey, what can I say - I'm here to help...)
The NCAA has two post-season tournaments these days when it comes to men's basketball - the NCAA Tournament and NIT. This season, there was a third tournament created - the CIT.
Here's my thought:
The top eight seeds from each sectional would earn a berth in the IHSA Tournament. The next four seeds would qualify for the IHSA’s version of the NIT. The remaining teams would have the option of playing in the IHSA’s version of the CIT.
When it comes to the true IHSA Tournament, you can seed the teams out in four “sectional” brackets throughout the state. You have major locations such as college campuses host these games. As for the IHSA’s versions of the NIT and CIT – all games are home and away until the Final Four.
Yes, there is going to be a little travel at some point. But we live in an era when teams are traveling all the time. We aren’t talking about traveling major distances 10 times in row here. We’re talking about adjusting with the times, bringing excitement back to the high school game and increasing the interest (and revenue) flow for the outdated IHSA.
With this type of format, you are going to create an importance again when it comes to the state tournament. Let’s be honest, there is an importance for some but it’s not what it used to be – it’s just not.
Sit back and think about the suggested formats. At the end of the day, it accomplishes what the IHSA wants – representation. And it will also eliminate those 10-0, 7-0, 8-0 games we were forced to watch.
- Joe Trost
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Comments
As long as every high school in the state participates in the post season playoffs your going to get some 10-0 games. And unfortunately we live in a big state and many schools seasonal play is mostly with schools which are located close to them so it is sometime difficult to fairly "rank" different teams from widely different areas as there are very few or no common opponents on which to base these rankings.
Althought I'm not necessarily for the system as it stands I'd say that generally my impression is that the best teams usually make it to the final 8 and 4 although some teams probably have an easier time getting there.
Posted by: Charlie | May 15, 2008 12:25 AM
Joe,
You bring up some very intriguing and interesting points. However, if you are going to only use the top 8 seeds, etc, you also have to make sure that the IHSA sets up the seeding meetings at a proper date and uses some type of formula that is actually followed by all coaches. Under the format you proposed, Lake Zurich and Crystal Lake South would have been left out of the IHSA tournament, both of whom had terrific regular seasons as well (1 or both were conference champs), and under that format would have been left out. Turns out, they both won their openers over teams that were seeded higher (Barrington and Cary Grove) due to a seeding meeting that took place so early!!!
Could you use a similar format with conference champions earning automatic bids? But then you still have the debate as to certain conferences being stronger than others, etc, but at least it makes the regular season worth something in the end.
Posted by: HS Soccer Fan | May 15, 2008 07:54 AM
Like the concept of having to "earn" your way into the tournament. I know this approach is used in other states. Just have to make certain that "seeding" process improves as you pointed out a couple of weeks ago (this is also a problem with the NCAA). Is the goal to get the best 64 teams into a tournament or the 8 best teams from 8 geographies?
Posted by: Buzz | May 15, 2008 08:19 AM
Charlie you can't be serious. No way do the best 8 teams make it to the final 8 and final 4. If I am correct, you will have 4 Super-Sectionals (Lemont 1 & 2, Granite City and Morton) who do not have 1 team in the entire super-sectional that even sniffed the top 10 and probably top 20 all year. Fremd or Hersey will waltz through the Buffalo Grove Sectional and New Trier through the Winnetka Sectional. The real crying shame for the IHSA and high school soccer fans is found in the Lisle 1 Super Sectional where only 1 of following teams will advance to the state tournament - Wheaton North, York, St. Charles North, Wheaton Warrenville South, Neuquau Valley, Naperville Central or Waubonsie Valley. And that is just the best of this super-sectional with other good teams left out. Now tell me where the inequity is. That is a crying shame. 3-4 of these teams should be competing at the State tournament. What confidence does a team build losing 10-0 in a first round playoff game? Lessen the number of teams and make it at least competitive from round 1 of the playoffs.
Posted by: Hounder100 | May 15, 2008 09:59 PM
The seeding meeting should take place after the season is concluded. The play-offs should take place one week after. The IHSA had the match-ups completed 48 hours after the seeding. The refs and fields would already be in place. Football can seed after the season so why can't soccer. The IHSA should have half of the teams in each class. Years ago it was a 50-50 split and it gave us great Class A state championship weekends. If there are 350 teams then there shoudl be 175 in each class. Currenly there are 80 teams in A and over 240 in AA. The current system is a joke where the Class A state champ would not even win a regional title in Clas AA. I think that the regional pod seeding is great because of the match-ups it creates and the rivalries that it fosters. If I was in the DuPage sectional I would look to play games outside of the area during the regular season instead of constanly playing each other. (Best of the West, non-conference)
Posted by: Anonymous | May 16, 2008 12:15 PM
I mostly agree with all of this, but lets also keep in mind that New Trier will have 1 tough game... GBS
Fremd and Hersey will have 2 tough games, both coming in the Sectionals, but fairly easy paths through regionals...
However, isn't part of the fun in these things is to see the great upset??? US vs. England in 1950???
Jacobs over St. Viator this past fall (15 seed beats a 2 seed), wondering and waiting to see if someone can stop the streak of WV??? ( I doubt it... but it keeps me engaged!)
TROST RESPONDS: The upsets are nice, but girls soccer to boys soccer is a big difference....meaning, a No. 15 seed can play with a No. 2 seed on the boys side. On the girls side, the chances are very slim.
Posted by: HS Soccer Fan | May 16, 2008 03:11 PM