1 hour ago, rjs4470 said:

Yes. There are many states that do computer based rankings (which I know aren't perfect), or a combination of conference/regional champs, and the next highest rated teams. Relying strictly on regions/district winners without considering competitive balance of those districts/regions is always going to leave good teams out. 

Which states allow at large bids? 

3 hours ago, FrankNicodemus said:

I’m a big supporter on 2 things:

1. Seeding….

2. Region winners & Runner Ups make the State Tournament 

Set up bracket like a Region bracket so the 2 teams in the same region couldn’t play until finals

First Round games are played at Region Champs home court, then move the Sweet Sixteen games on to Rupp….  This would “potentially “ flush out some weak Region Champs making the trip to Rupp. Plus if the top 2 teams in the state potentially are from the same region they get to play on big state for the Title.

I'm watching these college conference tournaments, these seeding just don't hold much water.  You already have district runner-ups that can make it to the sweet 16, we don't need more runner-ups in the sweet 16.

3 hours ago, FrankNicodemus said:

I’m a big supporter on 2 things:

1. Seeding….

2. Region winners & Runner Ups make the State Tournament 

Set up bracket like a Region bracket so the 2 teams in the same region couldn’t play until finals

First Round games are played at Region Champs home court, then move the Sweet Sixteen games on to Rupp….  This would “potentially “ flush out some weak Region Champs making the trip to Rupp. Plus if the top 2 teams in the state potentially are from the same region they get to play on big state for the Title.

So you would have teams traveling 4-6 hours to play a state tournament game at a high school in a round of 32 when teams dream of playing at Rupp Arena. 

On 3/13/2026 at 9:17 AM, rjs4470 said:

Can't be the best, when all the best teams don't get in.

Does any state tournament truly have the best teams in it?

Would like to know the states that are doing this?

There has been 2 constants in KY HS sports.  Football playoffs will change with the wind and basketball will never be touched.  

1 hour ago, okie1 said:

There has been 2 constants in KY HS sports.  Football playoffs will change with the wind and basketball will never be touched.  

I attended 5 different regional tournaments this year, all of them exceeded attendance of previous years.  Again, if it isn't broken don't fix it.  I will be attending the sweet sixteen and I'm guessing attendance will be on the upswing.

You state basketball will never be changed, are you forgetting the upcoming shot clock?

2 hours ago, 4 Quarters said:

I attended 5 different regional tournaments this year, all of them exceeded attendance of previous years.  Again, if it isn't broken don't fix it.  I will be attending the sweet sixteen and I'm guessing attendance will be on the upswing.

You state basketball will never be changed, are you forgetting the upcoming shot clock?

I don't for see the playoff structure for basketball changing.  I love the sweet 16 and how it is set up and ran.  Could there be ways to seed it and or regional tourney's maybe.  But I don't think the sweet 16 will ever change.

 

37 minutes ago, okie1 said:

I don't for see the playoff structure for basketball changing.  I love the sweet 16 and how it is set up and ran.  Could there be ways to seed it and or regional tourney's maybe.  But I don't think the sweet 16 will ever change.

 

Yeah, you could seed them, but whom wants to watch a 16 seed play a 1 seed.  The blind draw just creates more excitement.  If you really want to watch a seeded tournament just go to the LIT next year. LOL