UrinalCake
03-12-2010, 08:46 AM
With Selection Sunday just around the corner, much talk is given to how many teams the ACC will get in. The general consensus seems to be that we want to get in as many teams as posssible. Reasons for this include:
1. Exposure - letting fans nationwide see the ACC teams
2. Recruiting - similar to #1, getting our teams on TV and making noise in the tournament should make recruits want to play for ACC teams
3. Money - teams receive a portion of money for advancing in the tournament, which is split among the league schools. On top of that is fan support and increased alumni donations
However, getting bubble teams into the tournament can also backfire, as last year when we got seven teams in but went 3-4 in the first round, with Maryland losing in the second round. Were it not for UNC winning it all, the tournament would have been considered a catastrophe for the ACC.
So the question I pose is, do you want an ACC to get into the tournament if you know they're going to lose in the first round? This year the teams to keep in mind for this scenario are GT, Wake, Clemson, and even NC State if they can keep it going.
1. Exposure - letting fans nationwide see the ACC teams
2. Recruiting - similar to #1, getting our teams on TV and making noise in the tournament should make recruits want to play for ACC teams
3. Money - teams receive a portion of money for advancing in the tournament, which is split among the league schools. On top of that is fan support and increased alumni donations
However, getting bubble teams into the tournament can also backfire, as last year when we got seven teams in but went 3-4 in the first round, with Maryland losing in the second round. Were it not for UNC winning it all, the tournament would have been considered a catastrophe for the ACC.
So the question I pose is, do you want an ACC to get into the tournament if you know they're going to lose in the first round? This year the teams to keep in mind for this scenario are GT, Wake, Clemson, and even NC State if they can keep it going.