CIS to adopt NCAA style 'Sweet Sixteen'
By Michal Tellos
Lance Writer
March 26, 2008
 After years of planning, there may finally be a change in the playoff format for women’s basketball, with the implementation of a national Sweet Sixteen format in Canadian Interuniversity Sports (CIS).
Although the initial playoff run will remain the same – with an initial quarter-final, semi-final, and final game – there may be even more games to follow. If plans move forward, winners of the final would advance to a regional tournament composed of four teams, and competitors in this set would be placed in the top 16 in the country, eventually playing nationally in a tournament format.
The idea has been brewing for several years now, says CIS communications manager Michel Belanger. “Keith Pruden, the head coach at the University of Concordia, had been driving the project for years before it was finally approved by our member schools at our annual general meeting in P.E.I. last summer,” said Belanger.
The idea has not yet met much resistance, adds Belanger. “It has been very well received. People are excited to see a new format, new possibilities, etcetera. As well, the membership thought it was important to try this first with a women’s sport, to help enhance the profile of women’s sports.”
Coach Chantal Vallee of the University of Windsor women’s Lancers basketball team also expressed her excitement. “I think this is absolutely fantastic. It’s going to keep us engaged with the rest of the nation, and throughout the season we’re going to have to follow everybody very tight, with what’s happening – follow what’s happening in Quebec, in British Columbia, in Newfoundland.”
“I think it’s going to be exciting and much more entertaining for everybody, not just for the players as well. It’s not going to be just about Ontario, but also what Canada is about,” Vallee added.
Although it may seem extremely different, much of the season will stay the same, with the importance of rankings remaining. “Rankings will still be one of the criteria to determine who will be in the four regional four-team tournaments,” explained Belanger.
Vallee explained that preparation for the playoffs would not change, either. “The preparation itself will not be different, because first and foremost we want to win a conference final. Once this is over, you know, to participate in one of the four regional finals will be very exciting. And then it’s going to be a tournament format with the aim to win the tournament. And then we would finally make it to the final four.”
On the surface, it may seem as if such a system would be much costlier, but Vallee explained that expenses would not be unreasonable. “It doesn’t change much. From what I can understand, the playoffs will be the same. There will be not be more cost for the playoffs.” Any additional expense would come from advancing to a regional and national final.
“So if you won the playoffs the greater cost will be for the team that makes it all the way to the final four, and this extra cost will only be for four teams, at this point. If the final four is not in your region, then obviously there will be extra cost,” Vallee clarified.
The CIS is hoping that a national format would increase Canadian interest in the sport, Belanger explains. “We hope this will help create a buzz around the national championship over two to three weeks, instead of one week as is the case right now. What is sometimes missing from our championships is the build up. By having four tournaments across the country leading up to the ‘final’ final four, we hope it will help promote the game in all regions,” said Belanger.
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