I personally loved the old format and when they went to the championship on Sunday I went the first year of the new format and I haven't been back and I won't go back for the entire tourny, I'll just pick and choose the games I want to see. I had gone for 20 years straight till they went to the new format! To much money is spent. If they ever do go to a classes in high school they will kill the game in kentucky, just my opinion.

 

Hasn't killed it in the other 48 states that have classed the sport. And the only other state that doesn't class basketball (Delaware) only has about 55 schools that play basketball (of which 16 make the tourney, which is seeded). Yes you'd have to probably hold the different classes at different venues, which isn't as great for fans, as the casual fan would have to choose which class to attend.

 

As an outsider, I was shocked when I learned the semi's and final's were played on the same day. Everyone talks about how important and how much fun it is to see the pureness of the high school game played at a high level, but yet we are ok if the most important game of the year is played on short rest.

 

So if it's new it's right?

 

Not necessarily. But just because that's the way it's always been done, doesn't mean there isn't a better way to do it. Change is the only way things can evolve and improve.

I think the old format was a little tough on the kids. Having to play another game I just t-minus 5-6 hours if you win. But yes, it does make the week very long with little to no rest if you're traveling back and fourth everyday like I was.

They can keep the new format and I'll just save my money and watch it on the internet!

I liked the old format. Fairdale's 91 back to back team was honored for their 25th anniversary win Saturday night. They basically won it playing three games in a 24 hour period. Played the late game on Friday night, the second semi-final on Saturday morning, and the Finals Saturday night at 8:00pm. Takes a great team to do that. I would like to see the games speeded up 25 minutes in between games and 15 min half times takes forever. Need to move it the week before the NCAA starts. If I'm not interested in the second game I usually head to the Hyatt to watch the tournament games. Not gonna wait around that long. Just my thoughts.

 

The week before is the SEC Tournament. You think the KHSAA wants to compete with UK possibly playing 3 times? Plus, when it's in Nashville a lot of folks go and don't even go to the games. A few years ago when they moved it up because of NCAA games at Rupp they moved it up two weeks, more than likely to avoid SEC Tournament.

Three classes for basketball would help drive up attendance but we all know that ain't happening

 

Don't like this idea. I like one state champ.

It would be a tight squeeze but what if they played the entire 1st round on Wednesday to allow for a Saturday championship game? Something like this...

Session 1: 9:00, 10:30, 12:00, 1:30

Session 2: 4:30, 6:00, 7:30, 9:00

 

Problem is that you can't play successive games scheduled an hour and a half apart. The All "A" does this and the 9:00 game sometimes doesn't go off until 10:15pm or later,and they stick with the 20 minutes between games and 10 minute halftime format.

 

The "Sweet 16" runs 25 minutes between games and 15 minute halftimes.

 

WIth the scheduling suggested above, the two sessions would overlap.

I personally loved the old format and when they went to the championship on Sunday I went the first year of the new format and I haven't been back and I won't go back for the entire tourny, I'll just pick and choose the games I want to see. I had gone for 20 years straight till they went to the new format! To much money is spent. If they ever do go to a classes in high school they will kill the game in kentucky, just my opinion.

Have numerous buds that have the opinion that the current format has been disappointing, and they no longer stay through the full tourney. Now leave on Friday nights to save the cost of hotels and dining out, choose whether to drive back for Sat. night's session, and Sunday's championship. Granted only 1 1/2 hour away gives them this flexibility; however, under old format they didn't miss a game for 25 years.

 

Argue all you want, but it is about the Fan Experience that will determine the future viability of our Sweet Sixteen. Attendence is on its 4th year slide, the cost of attendance is becoming problematic, KHSAA thinks E-programs are the only way to go (what a stupid ostrich error in judgement), and yet the power thinkers blame it on everything but their own narrow thinking. Everyone knows the definition of INSANITY.

I'm curious how many states get 10,000 paid for all seven sessions of a state tournament? I think the biggest issue is that massive amounts of empty seats up top that makes the gym look empty. If there were drop down curtains upstairs like many arenas have, would this conversation be as prevalent?

Seems like more people are worried about their own convenience and it's less about a quality final. If the extra expense of another night is the issue, sleep in the car. I think it's great that this format benefits the two teams in the final with at least a fair amount of rest for each.

Seems like more people are worried about their own convenience and it's less about a quality final. If the extra expense of another night is the issue, sleep in the car. I think it's great that this format benefits the two teams in the final with at least a fair amount of rest for each.

 

This is true, although I do think a championship game on Saturday night would be better attended than one on Sunday afternoon. To realistically make that work, I believe you'd have to start the tournament on Tuesday. That doesn't appear to be a possibility.

It would be a tight squeeze but what if they played the entire 1st round on Wednesday to allow for a Saturday championship game? Something like this...

Session 1: 9:00, 10:30, 12:00, 1:30

Session 2: 4:30, 6:00, 7:30, 9:00

 

Yes it's an early start and a late finish but you get all 8 1st round games played in 1 day and the KHSAA still gets their precious break between sessions to charge everybody again. Yes they lose 2 sessions but they also avoid paying for Rupp Arena another day. It would also create a golden opportunity to bring back the 3rd place game.

 

YES. The All A does this and it works. Also, I like the idea of the consolation game.

The week before is the SEC Tournament. You think the KHSAA wants to compete with UK possibly playing 3 times? Plus, when it's in Nashville a lot of folks go and don't even go to the games. A few years ago when they moved it up because of NCAA games at Rupp they moved it up two weeks, more than likely to avoid SEC Tournament.

 

If I'm not mistaken, it was moved up 2 weeks to avoid the girls Sweet 16

YES. The All A does this and it works. Also, I like the idea of the consolation game.

 

Consolation games are completely meaningless games to play in. Neither the fans or the players care about consolations. Consolations make sense in individual sports that have team scoring (wrestling, swimming etc), but really serve no purpose in team sports.

It's all a moot point. Rupp can not (or will not) accommodate a Tuesday for four games so it the format remains the same.

That's an odd point considering a conversation I overheard amongst several Board of Control members in the Hyatt lobby before Sunday's championship game. They were discussing the format and said they were aware of the complaints of a Sunday championship but had also heard others say they liked the present format because the athletes did not have to play twice in one day. They agreed that moving the tournament back one day to Tuesday and finishing on Saturday might be the best solution to the problem. So if there is an issue with the Rupp people about a Tuesday start date these 3 BOC members were not aware of it. Or at least they didn't mention it.

So if there is an issue with a Tuesday start date these 3 BBC members were not aware of it. Or at least they didn't mention it.

 

Thank you. I can't imagine what the issue would be. I'd guess Rupp would be more than happy to rent itself out on Tuesday instead of Sunday. It's money either way.