UPDATE – Check the comments on this post. Very interesting. Ono is flying from California to watch Minnesota v Illinois. To see the format in person.
Men’s NCAA is failing. I’m keen to try anything to improve chances of survival. A similar format to this has worked in Germany.
The experiment reminds me of Snowboard cross (boardercross), first tried 1991. Now in the Olympics.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Ski racing for time was boring to me. But I love boardercross.
_____ original post:
An experiment this weekend. Sounds GREAT to me.
… both teams will be on the same event and will strategically select five athletes to battle, one on one against the other team. …
Winning routine gains 1-point.
Click PLAY or listen to Justin explain it on YouTube.
First team to 16 points, wins.
The trailing team competes second. Nice touch.
Tie-breaker sounds pretty goofy, however.
via @StickItMedia
UPDATE from USA FIG Judge in the comments:
… The idea (officially referred to as the “bracket system” by the NCAA Rules Committee) …
Cliff Gauthier at William & Mary has been proposing this (and an alternative) head-to-head scoring system since the early 1980s. The NCAA Rules Committee adopted it this year because a critical mass of NCAA coaches (including Justin Spring and others) signed onto the concept. The bracket system is available only in dual meets in which both coaches agree to use it.
Dave, in the comments, has some concerns.
Gymnastics Coaching.com 