NPI Tracker: Does the NCAA need Cornell in Albany to solve an attendance problem?
Plus: Things aren't getting better for Hockey East, Princeton is rolling, are there any NCAA "locks" yet? And this week's bracket projection
Attendance is becoming an unavoidable subplot in this year’s NCAA tournament picture, particularly in Albany.
In this week’s NPI Tracker, I dig into why the committee may be forced to think beyond “bracket integrity” and how Cornell could suddenly become one of the most important teams in the entire tournament picture. From full-bracket swaps to targeted game flips, there are realistic mechanisms the committee could use to address Albany’s potential attendance problem — and I’m sure not all of them will sit comfortably with folks. But, the reality is that Albany was an attendance problem the last time it hosted a regional, and it could be again.
In today’s newsletter, I walk through how Denver hosting in Loveland opens the door to creative reshuffling, and how the NCAA could use it (at least this week) as a way to get Cornell into Albany. Plus, in general, how important will it be on selection night for the committee to place Cornell in Albany (assuming the Big Red qualify)?
Also in today’s issue (#625):
A deeper look at the latest conference trends shaping the bracket. The NCHC’s dominance in head-to-head play against the Big Ten and Hockey East is becoming impossible to ignore, Princeton’s surge, and Hockey East’s path to multiple bids is narrowing by the week.
There’s also an updated reality check on who is truly safe in the NCAA picture right now, including why even teams that feel comfortable shouldn’t get complacent yet.
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