Automatic bid
Encyclopedia
Automatic bid is a term generally used to describe a bid or berth to a tournament, granted based on performance in prior competition, and not based on subjective picking (see: At-large bid
). It is most commonly used in the United States
in the Men's
and Women's NCAA College Basketball Tournament
, usually Division I, but is also used in all NCAA tournaments.
In Men's
and Women's
Division I college basketball
, the teams that win their conference tournament
are granted automatic berths to the main tournament. In the case of the Ivy League
only, the team with the best record advances via automatic berth. Except for the Ivy League, all conferences in D-1(Division 1) basketball hold a conference tournament. Most D-1 schools are in a conference. The ones that are not, called Independents, have no conference tournament and can only advance to the NCAA Tournament via an at-large bid, which rarely happens unless the team performs well.
Similar automatic bid processes are used in other NCAA sports with a tournament. This allows a team with a losing record to qualify for the NCAA tournament based on winning the automatic bid via tournament.
Another post-season college basketball tournament, the NIT
, includes the best teams that were left out of the NCAA Tournament. Since the 2005 purchase of the NIT by the NCAA, automatic bids are now awarded to all regular season conference champions who did not win their conference tournament.
At-large bid
An at-large bid is a bid or berth in a sporting tournament granted by invitation, not right. This term is most commonly used in the United States to refer to berths that the NCAA grants in its annual Division I men's and women's basketball tournaments, although at-large berths are granted in almost...
). It is most commonly used in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in the Men's
NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship
The NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship is a single-elimination tournament held each spring in the United States, featuring 68 college basketball teams, to determine the national championship in the top tier of college basketball...
and Women's NCAA College Basketball Tournament
NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Championship
The NCAA Women's Division I Championship is an annual college basketball tournament for women. Held each April, the Women's Championship was inaugurated in the 1981–82 season...
, usually Division I, but is also used in all NCAA tournaments.
In Men's
NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship
The NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship is a single-elimination tournament held each spring in the United States, featuring 68 college basketball teams, to determine the national championship in the top tier of college basketball...
and Women's
NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Championship
The NCAA Women's Division I Championship is an annual college basketball tournament for women. Held each April, the Women's Championship was inaugurated in the 1981–82 season...
Division I college basketball
College basketball
College basketball most often refers to the USA basketball competitive governance structure established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Basketball in the NCAA is divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II and Division III....
, the teams that win their conference tournament
NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Conference Tournaments
A conference tournament in college basketball is a tournament held at the end of the regular season to determine a conference tournament champion. It is usually held in four rounds, but can vary, depending on the conference. All Division I Conferences hold a conference tournament except the Ivy...
are granted automatic berths to the main tournament. In the case of the Ivy League
Ivy League
The Ivy League is an athletic conference comprising eight private institutions of higher education in the Northeastern United States. The conference name is also commonly used to refer to those eight schools as a group...
only, the team with the best record advances via automatic berth. Except for the Ivy League, all conferences in D-1(Division 1) basketball hold a conference tournament. Most D-1 schools are in a conference. The ones that are not, called Independents, have no conference tournament and can only advance to the NCAA Tournament via an at-large bid, which rarely happens unless the team performs well.
Similar automatic bid processes are used in other NCAA sports with a tournament. This allows a team with a losing record to qualify for the NCAA tournament based on winning the automatic bid via tournament.
Another post-season college basketball tournament, the NIT
National Invitation Tournament
The National Invitation Tournament is a men's college basketball tournament operated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. There are two NIT events each season. The first, played in November and known as the Dick's Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off , was founded in 1985...
, includes the best teams that were left out of the NCAA Tournament. Since the 2005 purchase of the NIT by the NCAA, automatic bids are now awarded to all regular season conference champions who did not win their conference tournament.
See also
- Tournament Selection process / Selection SundayNCAA basketball tournament selection processThe selection process for College basketball's NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship determines which 68 teams will enter the tournament, known as March Madness, and where they will be seeded and placed in the bracket...