Region coach responds to State Tournament Ideas

Region coach responds to The Renegade's ideas for improving IHSAA Boys Basketball State Tournament

A USA-365.com Special Report

(3-24-2004)

On March 18, 2004 we posted some State Tournament Ideas (click the link for the full story) for the general public to consider for implementation by the ISHAA. Some were conventional. Some were pretty radical. To recap in brief, they were:

We asked, "What do YOU think?" Hanover Central boys basketball coach Dave Uran took time March 19th to respond, with some interesting thoughts of his own.

1. I like the two class division. That makes more sense. But private schools need to be placed in the upper division. I feel they have a better chance to "recruit" players based on tuition only. They can always reload each year. I know that nobody would come out and admit that actually happens, but let's be real.

2. Neutral Sites: I think no team should be allowed to play on their home floor. Do what the NCAA does, pay the bigger schools to host the tournaments. You can work it out with ADs (Athletic Directors) to make sure your school's work force can go to their team's games. I mean most of the faculty work for the money and don't volunteer their time at home games anyways. So for them to work at the gym for other teams besides their own, they would not care as long as they get paid.

3. As long as you are going to change to a two division playoff system, go back to the 8 team sectional. I understand about seeding teams and I think the 8 team sectional should be seeded and each team plays the equal number of games (3) to win it. Your attendance would be increased due to the number of teams and usually when a team does get knocked out, they return and watch. You are correct when you said the players are the biggest fans.

4. The two out of three series. No way. That would be unfair to the teams that were upset in the sectional or regional finals. I mean, let face it, one and done has much more meaning / drama than a do over game.

These are some thoughts. I would write more but I am getting ready to watch more of March Madness." - Dave Uran

That's one response. You can write 'The Renegade' at usa365@ameritech.net. We'll post some of the more creative responses and alternative suggestions this weekend of the IHSAA state finals.