What has been expected for a few years now is finally coming to be. The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics announced at its annual convention that they will be going on one division in men’s and women’s basketball starting with the 2020-2021 school year. The move was approved on Monday by the organizations Council of Presidents.
The schools will be allowed up to an equivalent of eight scholarships. This brings to an end the playing of two different divisions that has been in place since 1992.
One thing that has yet to be decided is the size of the National Tournament. One option would have 64 teams qualifying with various play in sites leading to a final 16 team Championship. Another favors staying with the current 32-team format at one site. That question could be answered as early as June.
And, while Kansas City is not guaranteed as the final site for the men’s tournament, the NAIA has indicated that they would like for that to be the case.
I think the bigger question is where the women’s tournament will be held. Should they stick with the 32-team format, Sioux City would be hard to beat. However, if they choose to go with only the final 16 advancing to the final site, you have to wonder if they could not play the tournaments in Kansas City. Or, what if they do them in back to back weeks? If they do that, they could possibly have them at the same site, even if they stick with the 32-team format. But, that is all speculation on my part.
