The Maui Classic and friends now count as one game against the season's limit, even though teams play more than once in the event. Under the proposed change, every game in those events will count. UK's more likely to send a fruit basket to Rick Pitino's new crib. The better team over 40 minutes, not always the bigger program, wins. Without those events, to play St. John's, Samford will have to travel to New York, and the Red Storm's not returning the game in Birmingham.
Competitive balance takes another hit.
Another downside to the proposal is the de-emphasis of basketball during football season. Roundball already flies beneath the radar below the Mason-Dixon line before New Year's Day. Without those early, tasty samples of March Madness, there would be less competition for meaningless bowl games featuring mediocre football teams. NCAA prez Ced Dempsey gave academics as a reason. He should study his calendar.