The TSSAA has approved a seeding system for the Division I boys and girls basketball state tournaments to begin in the 2027-28 season, passing the proposal 10-2. This new ranking mechanism will eliminate the blind draw for bracketing, aiming for fairer matchups based on teams' winning percentages and the performance of their opponents. The change aligns with existing practices in TSSAA soccer tournaments, enhancing competitive equity. Recent examples highlighted the pitfalls of the prior system, where top teams often clashed early in the tournament. The discussion about making district tournament third-place games elimination rounds is deferred until August.

By the Numbers
  • The proposal for seeding passed with a 10-2 vote.
  • In the previous season, of 320 Division I teams, four No. 4 seeds advanced to state quarterfinals, and two advanced to state semifinals.
Yes, But

While seeding aims to improve competitive fairness, concerns remain regarding the potential impact of eliminating third-place games, as these could affect teams' chances of advancing in the tournament.

State of Play
  • The seeding system is predicted to mirror the successful implementation used in TSSAA soccer since 2024.
  • The proposal to make district tournament third-place games elimination matches is tabled until the next Board of Control meeting in August.
What's Next

The Board of Control will revisit the third-place game proposal in August, assessing feedback from coaches and evidence from the 2026 tournament data to inform their decision.

Bottom Line

Seeding the state basketball tournaments represents a significant shift towards more equitable competition, but careful evaluation is required moving forward to ensure that all changes support the integrity of the tournament format.