I think this all started the year it was decided to do away with programs!

My preference is the semi's in the morning and the final at night. For one, that is what makes this tournament so special on top of the fact that there is 1 true champion. Second, playing two games in a day is nothing for most of these kids because if they are playing AAU ball they are playing at least 2 games in one day once they are out of pool play in most tournaments and 99% of the time in a much shorter time span. IMO, bring it back.

 

Tell that to the Dickie Beal led Holmes team that lost to eventual state champs Owensboro in 1980. They played the late game Thursday night, 2 ot late game Friday night that finished around midnight against a very good Ashland team. Because of a wreck on the Watterson in Louisville got to bed about 3:00 am and had to come back against Owensboro on Saturday morning at 11:30 am. They had no legs and got blown out. Everyone was convinced that the winner of that game would win state that year and would have loved to see it on a level playing field. Under the old format the teams that drew the last game of the Thursday night session had to play last game Friday, 11:30 am Saturday and 8:00 Saturday night. You telling me that you think that is the way basketball in that intense setting should be played? I want to see the best teams play with no disadvantages. I have no problem with teams getting the luck of the draw but 4 games in 50 hours is a little much imo.

That would be a YES..

As a kid it sucked when we had to check out of LaQuinta prior to the semis but we made it work.

For those citing attendance as a justification one way or the other: I'd argue that the ability to stream the game online has affected attendance more so than the day of the game.

Bring back the old format when you had to dig deep and win 2 games against stiff competition in one day. Those teams who had to do it are imo more impressive than any team that has won it since.

Its ALL about the money.

Tell that to the Dickie Beal led Holmes team that lost to eventual state champs Owensboro in 1980. They played the late game Thursday night, 2 ot late game Friday night that finished around midnight against a very good Ashland team. Because of a wreck on the Watterson in Louisville got to bed about 3:00 am and had to come back against Owensboro on Saturday morning at 11:30 am. They had no legs and got blown out. Everyone was convinced that the winner of that game would win state that year and would have loved to see it on a level playing field. Under the old format the teams that drew the last game of the Thursday night session had to play last game Friday, 11:30 am Saturday and 8:00 Saturday night. You telling me that you think that is the way basketball in that intense setting should be played? I want to see the best teams play with no disadvantages. I have no problem with teams getting the luck of the draw but 4 games in 50 hours is a little much imo.

 

I get your point. Now, tell me the last time that happened where there was a distinct advantage for one team over another? Overtimes and freak things happen, it's basketball. I'm not from here but I've been here long enough to appreciate the uniqueness of the tourney and one of the things that appeals to most, or so it seems for the last how many years before the format was changed, was playing one game in the morning then the finals at night. I get the "rest is needed" part of the argument I truly do but, again not being from here, was this REALLY an issue over the past "how many years" when both the games were played in the same day? Don't know the history of how many years of "playing both in one day", nor do I care, but what I do know is that when I travel or meet someone not from here I tell them the KY Sweet 16 is the best HS tourney in the country because it's uniqueness and a part of that is now gone. As the old adage says, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". Just my opinion and no one has to agree....