64 teams would seem to make more sense, since 64 is divisible by 2, and you could start by having 32 games, then 16, then 8 and so on...
So why is there an odd number of teams?
2007-03-10 10:52:33 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Basketball
tehy have 65 teams in the tourny to give mid major teams a chance to play in the dance. They have an opening round game called a play-in game. so the 2 last teams to make it in to the tourny will square off and play a game to see if theyll get a chance to play a #1 seeded team. So whoever wins will be the 64th team into the NCAA tourny. You had the right thinking but u must of never heard of the play-in game.
2007-03-10 11:08:48 · answer #1 · answered by dynasty0105 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It used to be 64 teams and, several years ago, another small conference was formed giving them an automatic bid into the tourney. The money-grubbing commissioners of the major conferences decided that rather than lose one more at-large bid into the tournament for a mediocre, major conference team, they would make two of the small conference champions play off against each other to make it into the tourney. It has nothing to do with competition, excitement, starting the tourney off early or a desire for another TV game. It was strictly about dollars and the major conference commisioners showing their muscle by ruining the natural sanctity of a 64 team tournament and getting an invitation to one more of the 'big' schools.
2007-03-10 11:11:09 · answer #2 · answered by Danny S 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
All this talk of an "Opening Ceremony" game etc. is ridiculous. Danny had it absolutely right. The 'big conferences' didn't like it when they were going to lose one more bid to another small conference and created the 65th spot so they wouldn't lose that spot. Apparently they felt it was better to lose in the first round of the NCAA tourney than win the NIT. It was stupid, short-sighted and really messes with all of the tournament pools by only giving people 2 days to fill out their brackets instead of 4.
2007-03-11 07:28:56 · answer #3 · answered by jackthebaker 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is because they have one "play in game" to decide the 64th member of the tournament. This is an annual event and is ceremonial because it is an interesting way to start off the weeks of games. They do this to give more teams an opportunity to make the 64 team field.
2007-03-10 11:01:25 · answer #4 · answered by gfscp11 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the position have you ever been? this isn't thee first year we've had sixty 5 communities. The sixty fifth team will come from a activity being performed day after today. verify the bracket and time table on your paper.
2016-12-01 19:32:20 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Two teams play off for the 64th place
2007-03-10 11:00:20 · answer #6 · answered by plant a tree 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
there are 65 bids, but the bottom two seeds play for the 64th spot. they added this several years ago to get a larger contract from cbs
2007-03-10 11:02:18 · answer #7 · answered by cowboys fan 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
pretty much everyone has said it... theres a play-in game to officially start it up.
plus, you cant say "drive to 65" if there are 64 teams.
2007-03-10 11:26:39 · answer #8 · answered by charlotte's web 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
to give one low major chance to make it in, plus so they can put another team from the major conference in and make 2 teams from he mid major play each other just to get into the tournament .
2007-03-10 10:59:09 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Because there is one team that breaks the bubble. You can't start the tournament evenly, one team must open it up.
2007-03-10 11:01:07 · answer #10 · answered by bubbasmith 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋