Keep it National

There has been a notion amongst certain schools and conferences that perhaps Division III does not need a National Tournament at all. That Regional Tournaments would suffice. Time away from school due to all the traveling is a primary concern. That's understandable to a point but it's not like the entire field makes it to Salem.

If we borrow from the past then went to an Elite Eight format instead of a Final Four, the Tournament would be completed in two weeks and only 8 teams would have to travel more than once. To accomplish this we could hold Regionals as they were in the past, only that they would be 6 teams not 4 teams as it was years ago. Play Thursday, Friday and Saturday games and the field is down to 8. All Regional Champions would then to go Salem, or wherever the Finals are held in the future. Another weekend of Thursday, Friday and Saturday games and the tournament is complete and a National Champion is crowned. This would even be viable after the field is expanded in two years.

Another problem that can be eliminated or rendered less likely is the West Sectionals scenario of last year. Host team lost the first game and attendance for the championship game was not worth mentioning. Obviously the host team would have a bye the first round using this format. Therefore the NCAA is relatively assured of having 2 well attended days to help offset the cost of moving the teams. An empty house on the Saturday would not be as devastating if the host were knocked out early.

Seedings have improved in recent years but they will never be perfect. Selection criteria needs to improve because it's hardly fair the way it is. The biggest injustice however would be in not having a National Tournament at all.