I think it would be nearly impossible to create a
system that would decided the best overall 2nd place
finisher. We are talking about 15 different regions, each
with vastly different number of teams and not all
using the same setup. It also becomes difficult to
compare schools that you don't know much about to those
who actively play the circuit.
If there was
some stat method derived to select a larger number of
teams to be wild-cards, say 4 or 6, it might be more
fair for a stat system. But with only one spot, how
would you tell the difference between a Michigan State
(14-2) or a Delaware (8-2), each of whom only lost to
their region's winner but beat everyone else in their
region? What about a Wyoming (6-2), who had a better W-L
record than their region winner (Arizona 5-3)? What
about a UC-Davis (7-6), who had a worse record than
their 3rd place team (Pomona 9-2)?
As long as
the current system remains 15 regions and 1
wild-card, it seems that the fairest way for all parties
involved would be a random draw.
David Balseiro