Why B1G Bracket Design?

[conn53victor]

Why does the B1G Ten use a lopsided conference tournament bracket? Do they want to protect the legs of the top teams in the league, so they will be rested for the NCAA?

Here's last year's tourney bracket:

And a more normal 14 team bracket:

 

[TSherzy4Hawks]

I would guess it is because they do not want/are unable to play 6 games on day 1.

 

[anon_2zMXH429BhxV1Npk]

I would guess it is because they do not want/are unable to play 6 games on day 1.

This, plus TV revenue.

 

[DodgerHawki]

Why does the B1G Ten use a lopsided conference tournament bracket? Do they want to protect the legs of the top teams in the league, so they will be rested for the NCAA?

Here's last year's tourney bracket:

And a more normal 14 team bracket:

Combination of things. They do want to reward the teams that finish near the top of the league. If you finish in 11-14th place, you do get to go to the conference tournament but you have to play extra games to advance. And as others mentioned, spreading out games for TV brings in extra revenue.

 

[Titanhawk2]

4 days of TV versus only 3 days

 

[bravehawks1]

Aren't there some conferences where only top 8 get to play in conference tourney. Missouri Valley maybe?

 

[ping72]

Just a way to make the regular season more meaningful.

 

[DavenportHawk8]

Aren't there some conferences where only top 8 get to play in conference tourney. Missouri Valley maybe?

That I think used to be the women's MVC tournament. Where teams had to finish in the top 8 or they got left out. Now I think every team makes it to their conference tournament.

 

[rufus-hawk]

Just a way to make the regular season more meaningful.

And IMO the way it should be. All conference play should matter.

 

[MeetTheFerentz]

That format also sets up nicely for if/when the conference goes to 16 teams - 4 games every day until the day of semis and the finals. Old Big East used that exact format, as does the current ACC (minus the 16th team).