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sports22h ago
Why college basketball's wildest conference tournament brackets keep getting crazier
- The Sun Belt's seven-round stepladder bracket now underpins the conference tournament format.
- Top seeds may bypass early rounds, shifting the path to the final for lower seeds.
- The format aims to reward regular-season success and strengthen mid-major NCAA contenders.
- Leagues see added financial value as tournaments advance, via additional conference units.
- The Sun Belt format debuted for the 2025 season and is cited as a model for others.
- The article lists the bracket details for multiple conferences using the stepladder.
- MEAC and AAC formats are among others adopting stepladder approaches.
- The format could influence Big Dance outcomes by preserving stronger teams’ bids.
- CBS Sports frames the shift as part of a broader NIL- and transfer-era trend.
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