From First Four To Final Four Why VCU Rams Success Is Great For NCAA

Throughout the illustrious history of the NCAA men's division I March Madness tournament, fans from across the nation have been able to watch the top schools battle it out for the chance at being named national champion. On the other hand, many fans have criticized the NCAA for allowing the same teams into the tournament every year, while middle of the pack schools are forced to miss out. However, this season, the VCU Rams a mid major conference team became the poster child of the NCAA's new method of making things fair for everyone.

Essentially, the March Madness tournament is broken down into four regions of 16 teams, making up a 65 team field. Yet of the 65 spaces, 61 are awarded to the top schools, while the remaining four seeds are battled over in what is called the ‘first four' round. In this round, eight teams deemed to be on the bubble battle it out for the final four spots in the tournament. Historically, this round was played as two play in games before the NCAA decided to expand it to four games. The biggest knock on the first four round was that the bubble teams did not get as long of a break as their opponents in the next round and would consequently get destroyed in the next few rounds.

Enter the VCU Rams, who played in the Southwest region's ‘first four' qualifier round for the 11th seed in the bracket. The Rams defeated the USC Trojans for a right to enter the tournament and haven't looked back since. What's perhaps most impressive about the Rams isn't so much that they are a long shot overachieving, but rather they have blown out most of their opponents. With their 10 point win over number one seed Kansas last weekend, the Rams became the first team to play in the qualifier round and make it all the way to the Final Four.

Regardless of the outcome against the Butler Bulldogs this weekend, the VCU Rams have basically allowed for the NCAA to ask their critics to be quiet. What was once thought of as unfair penalty to bubble teams just became the round that everyone wants to be a part of. In essence, VCU has shown the world, that the first four qualifier round is as much of a momentum builder as winning a conference tournament.