"Rants and Raves" is an open forum for coaches to discuss topics, ranging from issues to observations on the state of college basketball and beyond.
 
 
Exempt Games
By Tim Buckley, Ball State

Over the past couple of seasons there has been a lot of talk regarding the possible elimination of exempt games. For a lot of reasons, this would not be good for college basketball. And on February 3, a three-judge panel will hear the arguments of the plaintiffs and the NCAA, regarding this matter.

Because of the exempt games, two years ago we received a lot of national attention with our success in Hawaii. And last year it was the College of Charleston which grabbed so many headlines.

Our kids seized the moment, as did coach Tom Herrion's players. But neither Ball State nor College of Charleston would have been able to have success if not for the opportunity.

Mid-Major programs are obviously presented with a tremendous opportunity on the court. These early season tournaments are the only time -- aside from the NCAA tournament -- that we get a chance to play teams from power conferences on a neutral court.

It's not often that programs at our level will be able to get teams from the power conferences to come to our home arenas. But through exempt tournaments, we are able to play the big boys in an NCAA or conference tournament environment.

Sure we have the opportunity to pull off the upset, but both teams have the opportunity to simulate their conference tournament setting as well.

Come late February or earlier March, we are all thrown into our conference tournaments, which often demand playing three or four games in as many days. And that helps both the small and the big schools.

So often I hear analysts talk about how it would be bad to the little guys if these games were eliminated -- and that is true -- but I believe it would be bad for everyone.

Taking away exempt games would essentially take away great opportunities. And it is not just about the teams that win.

Getting the opportunity to go to Hawaii or Alaska is something that a lot of our players would otherwise not be able to do.

The college experience should be more than just playing sports. It should include education, building relationships and preparation for life, all of which are presented through the tournaments in November and December.

Whether or not the exempt games remain apart of college basketball is currently in litigation. It is something that should not be eliminated. It wouldn't be good for anybody.