Wisconsin High School Sports | Wisconsin Sports Network | WisSports.net

At its June meeting on Thursday, the WIAA Board of Control voted unanimously to end the one-year experiment that was Super Tuesday for both boys and girls basketball. The concept was born from the 5-Division Plan introduced for the 2010-11 season as a way to showcase Divisoin 1 teams, who saw the number of state qualifiers go from eight to four.

While the goal was to appease D1 programs, the majority of coaches from those schools voiced displeasure with the concept, citing travel concerns on a school night, logitistical problems in a short turnaround to prepare teams and communities (fan busses, hotels, parent work schedules, etc.) for the state games on Friday, and a lack fo time to properly celebrate and enjoy the experience of making it to state.

Beginning this season, Division 1 playoff brackets and sectional finals will mirror the format used in Divisions 2 through 5, with state quarterfinals (sectional finals) being played on the Saturday before the state tournament. All divisions will play regional games on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday to be followed by sectional games the next Thursday and Saturday.

The WIAA also voted unanimously to move the start date of the girls basketball season to the traditional date beginning with the 2012-13 season, which would move the state tournament to the week before the boys state tournament. The start date and state tournament were initially moved to accomodate a move of the state finals from the Alliant Energy Center to the Kohl Center. However, the new proposal could result in scheduling conflicts at the Kohl Center, precipitating a move of the girls state tournament to the Fieldhouse.

This move from the Kohl Center to the Fieldhouse for the girls state tournament has been a source of significant discussion in the basketball community over the past several days. It remains to be seen if the Fieldhouse is an occasional host for the girls state tournament or a permanent home, as the University of Wisconsin is still figuring out the logistics and facility impact of the new Big Ten Hockey Conference and potential league tournament hosting.