Written by
The Associated Press
BROOKLYN CENTER -- The idea of creating an NCAA-style 64-team tournament in the Class 4A field for boys and girls basketball received a chilly reception from the Minnesota State High School League's board of directors at its meeting Thursday.
The concept was presented for discussion by the coaches associations for both sports, but the board said it needs more answers before it can make a decision.
Those answers could come as soon as next month, when two mock selection committees will seed a 64-team tournament in both sports. The committees will seed eight sections from one through eight. Geography will be a component in the mock process. The 64-team tournaments are designed to create more excitement at the sectional level, with the eight best teams advancing to the state tournament.
The girls mock committee will conduct its selection process on Feb. 26. The boys mock committee will do the same a week later.
The current system is based on geography, not competitive balance.
"It will be really interesting to see what those mock committees bring back,'' said Kevin Merkle, an MSHSL associate director that oversees boys basketball. "Hopefully, the mock system will provide some answers for those that might not understand the concept.''
Merkle told the board that in a survey of 15 region secretaries in December, five supported the concept and eight opposed it. Two did not vote.
Responses included that the idea is geared too much toward Twin Cities schools and merely spreads out the top teams among the eight sections.
"I think it might be a tough sell at this point, because (the board) has heard from their constituents with regard to some of their concerns,'' Merkle said.
"As good as this is for basketball, I worry about it changing the landscape for everything,'' said board member Mike Manning, the activities director at Rosemount.
Tom Critchley, executive secretary of the Minnesota Boys Basketball Coaches Association, acknowledges the challenges but remains confident the concept will work. If approved at the board's next meeting April 5, the plan would be implemented for the 2013-14 season.
"We feel confident about the open-mindedness of the board in that they want to see more information on the process,'' Critchley said. "I am encouraged by that. There is a lot of interest out there. It might not be a consensus yet, but there is genuine interest.''
The boys and girls basketball coaches associations have been working on the concept for about five years.
"I think we will be in a better position to articulate how to do it and why (the 64-team concept) might work better than what exists right now,'' said Pat Barrett, executive director of the Minnesota Girls Basketball Coaches Association. "Until we actually do it, we will truly not know everything.''
Said Critchley: "The selling point, to me at least, is you are creating a great tournament experience, especially at the section level, for these kids.''
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