Criticism
Although analysts’ initial reactions to the concept were skeptical, the first game, played on March 13, 2001, was a success, and few complaints were lodged. The games are prominent by attracting viewers on nights in which no other NCAA games are played. Prior to the proposal of expansion, Syracuse University coach Jim Boeheim had advocated for an expansion of the tournament from 64 to 76 teams, which would include four opening round games for all of the 16th and possibly added opening round games for the 15th seeded teams too. The expansion of play in games faced logistical challenges and lukewarm acceptance from NCAA President Myles Brand and the corporate and media partners of the NCAA. However, on April 22, 2010, the NCAA announced, as part of a new 14-year, US$10.8 billion agreement between CBS Sports and TimeWarner's Turner Sports division, that the tournament will include three more play-in games, which would come to be known as the "First Four".
The opening round games have also been criticized as a handicap for teams among the historically black colleges and universities. In all but one of the games played from 2001–10, at least one of the teams has been an HBCU. However, the two conferences which are made up of HBCUs, the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and Southwestern Athletic Conference, are often two of the lowest-rated conferences in the RPI.
Read more about this topic: NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Opening Round Game
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