MAAC Announces Changes to Basketball Scheduling Policy
MAAC Sports
The MAAC Council of President has approved sweeping changes to the league’s basketball scheduling in a reaffirmation that basketball remains the core MAAC Sports of Emphasis in the 11-team league. The revised policies include the following:
Effective with the start of the 2017-18 season conference schedule will use an 18-game format with a Group A comprised of the pre-season top 4 projected teams, a Group B composed of the next 3 ranked teams, and a Group C comprised of the remaining 4 teams. There will be no full double round of competition, instead each team will play 9 opponents once at home and 9 opponents once away. Other major changes:
· The top 4 ranked MAAC teams must play non-conference games against opponents ranked in top 250 ranking of the 3-Year or 5-Year Average Winning Percentage. The middle 3 schools (5-7) must play non-conference games against opponents ranked in the top 300 ranking of the 3-Year or 5-Year Average Winning Percentage. The bottom 4 schools have no restrictions.
· The groups will be determined annually by June 1 of each year by the MAAC staff using a mix of projected pre-season polls, a coach’s poll, and input from athletic administrators. The Commissioner will be the final arbitrator of the Group A, B and C team selections if no consensus is achieved through the ranking processes.
· Once the groups of 4-3-4 are established the conference schedule will be developed as follows:
· For non-conference scheduling, a model was approved which focuses on the winning percentage of non-conference opponent. It is a shift from previous MAAC regulations that focused on RPI rankings. The model requires that the top 7 ranked MAAC teams must play non-conference games against opponents ranked in top 250 ranking of the 3-Year or 5-Year NCAA Division I Average Winning Percentage. The bottom 4 schools have no restrictions.
· The non-conference scheduling requirements allow MAAC programs two options – a 3 or 5 year winning percentage for opponents, broadening the pool of teams for non-conference scheduling. While providing some flexibility, the 3 or 5 year options maintain a focus that the strongest MAAC schools compete against teams with winning records, while allowing teams in a rebuilding mode to compete against any Division I program.
· Conference members seeking to host the annual MAAC Tournament in a neutral or home facility must play at least one conference game for two years in the facility for the league to gauge local fan interest, fan travel patterns and the suitability of the facility to host the championships per league standards as outlined in the RFP for the event.
· Except for Multi Team Exempt Events (MTEs), member institutions should not schedule more than 2 away guarantee games. A third road guarantee game may be played if the guarantee funds generated by the game are dedicated to the MAAC school buying a home guarantee game that requires no reciprocal return game against the opponent.
The goal of the scheduling policy is to initiate scheduling policies which will increase the conference’s national Rating Percentage Index (RPI) and Strength of Schedule (SOS) and promote member school’s abilities to receive at-large qualification to the NCAA and NIT and high seeding placements in those championships.
In related business, the presidents approved a requirement that all MAAC members have ESPN School Production Facilities operational by the 2019/20 fiscal year and that the MAAC will provide production stipends to each school to produce up to 30 men’s and women’s basketball productions yearly. Currently four schools, Canisius, Fairfield, Iona and Monmouth have such facilities.
The MAAC presidents also received a status report on the development of a standards document for basketball. The ongoing discussions about enhancing the position of MAAC basketball continues with the strategic planning group focused on finalizing the document and also presenting a draft RFP for the 2020-22 MAAC Basketball Championships bidding process. These reports will be presented to the MAAC Council of Presidents at their June 1 meeting.
In other Council business, the contract of Commissioner Rich Ensor was extended through June 30, 2020.
What they’re saying:
“The Strategic Planning process for basketball has been both collaborative and collegial. The resolve to implement changes that will enhance the stature of the MAAC shows a commitment to excellence. The move to an 18 game league schedule and a strategic approach to non-conference scheduling recognizes the needs for programs at their peak and those rebuilding. This is the first step in a comprehensive plan that will facilitate in and post season recognition.”
Eugene P. Doris
Director of Athletics
Fairfield University
Chair, MAAC Committee on Athletic Administration
“Being more strategic as a conference with our nonconference scheduling will position the conference for improved tournament seeding and the potential for additional at-large selections."
Tim Murray
Director of Athletics
Marist College
Chair, MAAC Women’s Basketball Committee
"Playing an 18-game conference schedule will give members the opportunity to play additional non-conference opponents who, if done strategically, will help them advance their program and be better for the entire membership."
John D'Argenio
Vice President/Director of Athletics
Siena College
Chair, MAAC Men’s Basketball Committee
“I want to acknowledge the hard work of the presidents and athletic directors that have participated in the review of MAAC basketball policies. While the review is on-going, the ratification of these bylaws by the MAAC Council of Presidents is a recognition of the importance of basketball as the league’s core sport and operational focus.”
Richard J. Ensor
Commissioner
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference