Why did the NCAA Tournament change?

[mets82]

I love March Madness and the NCAA Tournament. The thing is there are a couple of minor points about the tourney that I have noticed the past few years and I was wondering why these things happened.

1) The Pod System. I understand that was done because to have teams closer to home and basically have people show up at games but has it helped? I mean if your Duke or UNC and you play in Greensboro, Im exlcuding them. But besides them, who else is it helping? Now if Uconn would have won, they would play in Lexington, Kentucky against Kentucky. How is that fair that Kentucky basically gets a home game? Look at Louisville. They have to play in Portland Oregon. Again, fair? If Iona would have made it to the 2nd round they would play in Lousiville Kentucky. Fair?

2) Why did they change the way the courts look? Have you noticed that all the courts for the Tourney have the same black and blue scheme? Why is that? Thats gets to get pretty dull when your watching for 2 days straight. I cant find the article but I remember reading that they have to cover up all logos, banners etc. when there are tournament games. Why is that? I think that's dumb.

3) Finally, what do you think of the tourney spread out on 4 networks? Did you like the old days with the whip around coverage? I mean I know they have been saying, your in control of the tourney but isnt that what Direct TV was for? That YOU would be in control. I mean, your going to get your local team anyway under the old system, so whats the difference?

[duckie]

I like that they have four different stations broadcasting the games. You have four games you can choose from.

[Mr. Television]

I love the 4 different stations. I can now switch to any game I want. In the old days it was up to CBS and to your local station on what game you get. Last night I saw the endings of all the games and it was great. Take for example, Norfolk State's upset over Missouri. I never would have seen that game live in the old days.

[yankeesrj12]

I love the change to four networks. I can watch any game I want and get to see some of the blowout games you wouldn't see otherwise.

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by mets82

I love March Madness and the NCAA Tournament. The thing is there are a couple of minor points about the tourney that I have noticed the past few years and I was wondering why these things happened.

1) The Pod System. I understand that was done because to have teams closer to home and basically have people show up at games but has it helped? I mean if your Duke or UNC and you play in Greensboro, Im exlcuding them. But besides them, who else is it helping? Now if Uconn would have won, they would play in Lexington, Kentucky against Kentucky. How is that fair that Kentucky basically gets a home game? Look at Louisville. They have to play in Portland Oregon. Again, fair? If Iona would have made it to the 2nd round they would play in Lousiville Kentucky. Fair?

2) Why did they change the way the courts look? Have you noticed that all the courts for the Tourney have the same black and blue scheme? Why is that? Thats gets to get pretty dull when your watching for 2 days straight. I cant find the article but I remember reading that they have to cover up all logos, banners etc. when there are tournament games. Why is that? I think that's dumb.

3) Finally, what do you think of the tourney spread out on 4 networks? Did you like the old days with the whip around coverage? I mean I know they have been saying, your in control of the tourney but isnt that what Direct TV was for? That YOU would be in control. I mean, your going to get your local team anyway under the old system, so whats the difference?

Some other changes I noticed are

1. The games on are TNT and TBS and TruTV

2. It starts with 68 teams instead of 64