A new landscape will soon be in effect for basketball, volleyball, softball, baseball and soccer.
The UIL Legislative Council passed the division split in Wednesday’s meeting, with the move taking into effect this coming season.
The division split, the current playoff method in 6A football, is constructed with the usual structure of 32 districts, with the top four advancing to the playoffs, with the highest enrollment of the top four teams being placed in the Division I bracket, with Division II containing the lowest enrollment of the top four teams.
This recent change will not take place in water polo and in team tennis, sports that were just recognized recently by the UIL.
The move will shakeup the playoff picture, with the elimination of the regional quarterfinal round, regional tournament and the state tournament. State championship games will be played at the Alamodome, just like the 2021 basketball playoff model.
The new playoff map eliminates the regional tournament setting, a move that will relieve cramping preparation time for teams that have to prepare for a regional championship after winning their respective semifinal game.
Setting up the bracket
As seen in 6A football, there are two seeds in the bracket for each division that represent the highest place finish for each team, based on enrollment.
Essentially, there will be two seeds in each bracket en route to the state championship.
Regional tournaments may see a return however, with the respective coaches in the regional semifinal round all mutually agree for one venue that could play as host of both the regional semifinals and regional final.
The state tournament
With the elimination of the regional tournament and the additional flexibility of a neutral-site regional final, the state tournament format will change.
With the new division split, 12 teams will crown state champions inside the Alamodome. Four games will be played per day on the schedule, similar to the 2021 state tournament.
The UIL has added three more years on the contract with the Alamodome, expiring until 2028.
The shot clock wait continues
The UIL Standing Committee of Athletics voted to further study the shot clock, which prolongs the 35-second clock to coming into the game for another season.
