Bracket question from hoops illiterate

[benfranklin]

I'm not much of a hoops fan, but get interested at tourney time. I know I'm getting old and senile, but my memory is that there used to be 64 teams. When did they start this play-in game, and why?

[youtalkfunny]

Just started in the last few years.

Why? Think about it.

[benfranklin]

[ QUOTE ]
Just started in the last few years.

Why? Think about it.

[/ QUOTE ]

Why? The obvious answer would be more money. More TV time and TV revenue, more fans paying to go to another game, etc. If it's for more money, why just one more team? Why not just make it a 128-team tournament?

Or make it the World Series of Basketball. Any team that puts up $10,000 gets to play.

[pudley4]

Several years ago, a new conference was created (no, I have no idea which conference it is). Since all conferences automatically get at least one entry into the tourney, the NCAA had a choice - eliminate one of the at-large bids, allow an extra team in (and force a play-in game), or not give one conference an automatic bid.

Personally, I think they should get rid of an at-large bid.