The stated reason why the NC$$ doesn't go to a larger hockey field is that hockey is
pushing (with a tank) the maximum allowed ratio of programs invited : all programs.
However,  there appears to be more and more pressure coming from basketball
coaches and the press to expand the already bloated 64 team bb tournament to 128 or,
how's this for an expandio ad absurdum, ALL Division I programs.
 
If something like this should occur, I'd say the odds of the real (hockey) tournament
expanding to 16 teams improve dramatically. I suppose that a sixteen team
tournament would be organized as two three-day regional tournaments, with the
winners of the Friday QFs playing early Sunday, and the winners of the Saturday
QFs playing late Sunday. The survivors would then proceed to the traditional Final
Four (so sue me).
 
Personally, I think expansion to 16 teams would be healthy. Basically, if you have a
good year (+5 over .500, or so), you get a shot at proving yourself on the national stage.
The politics of the perennials would also be further mitigated. And I've always hated
"byes," they're so damned assymetrical.
 
Finally, with an average of four teams from each conference going to the show each
year, and eight with guaranteed East-West matchups in the QFs, likely followed by
more down the line, the connectivity of Keith's indicators would be improved. How
many games have ECAC and WCHA teams played against each other in the last five
years? 10? 5?
 
Greg
Somerville
Let's Go Red!