Was just watching a YT clip of the 78 FF and they showed Arkansas playing ND for 3rd place. I guess I had forgot they used to do that. When did that stop?
When did they stop having 3rd place games in the NCAA?
- Thread starter SilentsAreGolden
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I'm too lazy to look it up (so are you, apparently) but I want to say 79.
EDIT: I just re-read your post and saw it was Arkansas and ND, and somewhere in the ether I was under the impression ND was the last consolation game winner, so it very well may be 1978.
EDIT: I just re-read your post and saw it was Arkansas and ND, and somewhere in the ether I was under the impression ND was the last consolation game winner, so it very well may be 1978.
The last 3rd place game was played in 1978 in St. Louis when the CATS cut them down. Digger Phelps Notre Dame team lost both of its games and Digger cried so much to the NCAA that they did away with it. I was there and enjoyed his beat down waaay too much. He had a point though, why do you want to have a great season and post 2 losses to end it.
The last third place game was in 1981 when Virginia beat LSU 78-74.
Correct
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NCAA_men's_Division_I_basketball_tournament_Final_Four_participants
On opening the thread, I thought, man I wish they'd bring that back. I'd watch it. Then I imagined a 2015 game between Kentucky and Michigan state and threw up in my mouth. I can't imagine a worse event to watch.
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I wouldn't mind having it. It clearly would define the top 4 and make the Monday more interesting for all 4 teams and their fans. Have the 3rd place game about 3 hours before the championship so they can still build it up afterwards. Wouldn't you all like to extend the season by another game if we lose the semifinal game? Gives you a chance to end the season on a better note than a loss.
Who wants to play for third? Plus I like that only 1 team finishes the tourney unbeaten.
It's more interesting if your team isn't involved. If UK lost on Saturday, I wouldn't want to see them play on Monday with their heart not in it.
It was the worst game of all time every year, Teams and coaches both alike hated it. I was at the 78 game. It was held in the old Checker Dome. An actual barn. I had prayed that Jim Bain would have that 3rd place game so he wouldn't have ours. I lost, he had ours and did his usual job on UK. For those that don't know Jim Bain was referred to as Bobby's own official. He seemed to call every IN game, home or away.
To each their own but no. I refuse to watch KY play in the NIT after a disappointing season....thankfully that is an extremely rare occurrence. Would have zero interest in watching them play for 3rd place.
Yeah, UK loses to Marquette in the Regional Semis and then beats PSU for the Consolation game!
http://www.bigbluehistory.net/bb/Statistics/1954-55.html
There is no way I'm watching a UK consolation game! I can barely get on the here a few days later after a normal loss, my TV remote couldn't take me sitting through losing two games in a row to end an otherwise great season. There is just no way.
Not to mention that players tend to get hurt when they aren't playing 100%. I would hate to see any players career be in jeopardy for a meaningless game. No benefit whatsoever to a 3rd place game.
Not to mention that players tend to get hurt when they aren't playing 100%. I would hate to see any players career be in jeopardy for a meaningless game. No benefit whatsoever to a 3rd place game.
BTW, we lost to Georgia Tech twice that year. They were unranked and we were number 1 both times. We only lost 3 games all year. That would have been a frustrating end to a great season.
I was there as well and certainly do remember Jim Bain. Saw a game between IU and ND one year where ND player went down on floor for loose ball and 3 IU players dove on ball after him. Bain blew his whistle and called a foul on... you guessed it, the ND player!
I can't believe that this was ever considered a good idea.
How terrible must it have felt to lose in the Sweet 16 and then be forced to turn around and play another game to determine 3rd place in your region?
Looks like UK ended up playing in a regional consolation game in 1971. Just 2 days after getting pistol whipped by WKU. That had to be a thrill.
http://www.bigbluehistory.net/bb/Statistics/Games/19710320Marquette.html
I don't like the 3rd place game, either. But with or without it, still only one team finishes unbeeten.
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