24 or 32, Is It Time?

A Juco Hoop Scoop Editorial

This is in regard to the recent discussion and upcoming NJCAA convention in which the Men’s Basketball Committee will discuss the possibility of expanding the Men’s D1 National Tournament to a possible 32 team event (from 24).

Some say Regional sites should be considered to reduce travel and costs. But that’s exactly what has been in place in the NJCAA since the beginning. Mostly, those regions were composed of individual states, or states close in proximity, which doesn’t require teams to travel very far to compete for a trip to Hutch.

The current District/Regional format has been used for many years. Believe it or not, in the early days, all teams participated in Regional play no matter what their record was.  All Teams started out the “second season” with the same opportunity…to win a national championship.

Once upon a time there were only 16 of such (regions). And all 16 region champs made up the 16 team field at Hutch, in the original false double elimination Format. Eventually the NJCAA stretched the number of regions to 24, but combined some of the smaller ones to create the 16 Districts we have today. In these more modern times, only 21 of those 24 regions currently have D1 participants. One of my thoughts would be to issue those 21 Region champs  automatic berths and add 11 At-Large selections (3 more than current).

This past season, those six extra Region champs would’ve included teams like Dawson CC, Eastern Arizona, and Harcum, who were all in the 15 or so teams in the conversation for the 8 AL spots.

However, I still feel strongly about the best way to make the tournament better is through, not only field expansion, but by redistricting. It  is time!!

Several smaller region/districts can be combined into larger ones and maybe make the total number around 16-19. Then fill the remainder of a 32 team field with more At-Large teams (13-16).

Another option available would be to simply add 8 more AL to the existing format.

I’ve even heard a long time fan say, “if they won’t go back to the old format, at least I’d like to see them play out places 1 thru 8 once the field gets trimmed down to the final eight.” So, like, 4 games on quarterfinal day, four games on Semifinal day, and four games on Championship day. That’s a thought…!

All of this of course would be subject to all games remaining in Hutch. Having “Regional” sites (like the NCAA) would send teams to differnt locations (like four or more), which still involves travel costs, and more likely, greater expenses than the current qualifying Region/District set up. Plus, the sites would probably be further away.

In my opinion, the current “all teams at Hutch” system still promotes the best way for four year college coaches to see more players. This past season, all but 4 of the 24 teams played in the first 3 days and all 24 by the end of Tuesday…the 4th day.

Regional sites…like the NCAAs would have teams in each of four (or more) locations, all being played at the same time, limiting the amount of teams/players to watch/scout due to proximity and time constraints.

Let’s face it, fan bases have diminished drastically over the last several decades due to attrition and part-time fans (families of kids that come and go ever year or two). Those immediate families of players are about the only ones who travel anymore, and those that do travel, will go to wherever their kids are playing.

As for airports and lodging…over the 50 plus years I’ve been attending the event in Hutch, most of the 4 year scouts have always flown into and stayed in Wichita (who handles inbound and outbound flights from all the major airlines). And the travel time from W. Wichita/Airport area is roughly 45-50 minutes. Certainly not an outrageous trip by any means.

The new Hilton Garden Inn (set to open in the fall of 2025) will allow a few more teams to return to Hutch for lodging. But with only about 100 rooms, it won’t accommodate the number of teams the old Ramada/Grand Prarie/Atrium once did (approx 220 rooms). So there will still be some teams who have to lodge outside of the immediate Hutchinson area.

This past season at Hutch, there were about 2800 all session passes sold in advance (before July 1 when sales opened up to the public) . The average attendance at each session was just over 3000, including the championship game. Which means…. there aren’t many extra fans traveling to the games after their teams qualify. Basically, only the most loyal boosters and some of the players immediate family.

I have tinkered around with a 32 team schedule for several years now and have several options that do not require any team to play 4 or 5 straight games in the process of winning the Natty. That seemed to be the biggest concern for many coaches and teams when the tournament first expanded to 24.

In all but one of my schedules, the tournament would start on a Saturday and end on a Sunday with a dark day late in the week (if the  BCA and the D1 Men’s Basketball Committee are married to that concept.

Expanding the field to 32 would required additional games per day or additional days. The best options would add a day to the current structure. There would be 6 games on Saturday and Sunday, 4 each on Monday thru Thursday, off Friday, Semis on Saturday and Final on Sunday. Winners would have  3 games in the first six days. Friday Dark. Then final four Saturday and Sunday.

Another way would be to have 6 games Sat-Tues, 4 Wednesday, Dark Thursday, Semis Friday, Finals Saturday. Four long days for the workers and full-time fans, but we’ve done 6 games a day for a long time. Just not four in a row. But, on the bright side, this format keeps the tournament the same amount of days as this past season.

The tournament, as we’ve come to know it, was made possible through the hard work and dedication from many extraordinary citizens in Hutchinson (Reno County).

Because of their efforts and determination, the tournament became an institution. Unique in the fact that the entire tournament takes place in the same week, but in the same building. Hutch needs The Tournament (as once referenced), Hutch deserves The Tournament!! Whether it realizes this or not…the Tournament needs Hutch. It would be shameful to take it away until it becomes too much to handle. So far, that hasn’t happened.

And then there’s that lease thingy. The one extended a few years ago that keeps the event in Hutch and in the Sports Arena through 2041. There is probably a buyout,  but probably pricey. I don’t have that answer yet. If so, I’m doubtful there would be enough money in the coffers to end that contract early. 

All said, the event is where it needs to be. The people in Hutchinson have proven to be worthy through out the 77 years since the championship moved to their city. I feel strongly about increasing the field as to include more deserving teams, but no major overhaul. Just some tweaking.

For me, it boils down to this…like they always say…if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Just expand to 32 and see what happens.