Tiebreaker in CIF Open Division boys basketball playoffs gives edge to low seeds, coaches say
The CIF Southern Section's Open Division is made up of eight teams selected by a committee with the goal to create the most high-level, competitive postseason tournament possible.
The teams are split into two, four-team pools and are guaranteed three games. Once each pool has completed its three rounds of games (all playing each other one time), the first-place teams in each pool advance to the final.
The Open Division was created in 2013-14 and went to this eight-team, pool-play format in 2018-19. This year, the boys’ Open Division final will be played at Cal Baptist University on Feb. 23 at 8 p.m.
On Sunday, the Southern Section announced its eight Open Division teams via SBLive's Bracket Breakdown reveal show. One of the weekend's top headlines from the reveal was the omission of Notre Dame/Sherman Oaks, to which the CIF said:
"This was an extremely difficult process – with committee members and administrators alike agreeing that the depth of “quality Open candidates” and “similar quality Open resumes” among the schools under consideration exceeded any year since the Open Division format went from 16 to eight teams in 2018."
There's no juggernaut. No heavy favorite. No all-world player that can't be stopped.
From the No. 1 seed in Harvard-Westlake to the No. 8 seed in Corona Centennial, which has won three straight Open titles, the parity is glaring.
The parity in this year's Open Division could create a three-way tie, which would be determined by a very interesting tie-breaking rule.
Since the division went to pool play in 2019, there have been two 2-way ties and one 3-way tie (2023).
TIEBREAKER SCENARIO
If there's a two-way tie, the tiebreaker is easy. It's head-to-head.
However, if there's a three-way tie things get much more interesting.
The three-way tie is determined by a point system that is accumulated as each game is played, and seeding is at the foundation of the system.
When a team defeats another, the winning team accumulates the point total of the opposing team's seed. For example, if No. 8-seeded Team A defeats No. 1-seeded Team B, Team A's tiebreaking number after the game is ONE.
At the end of three games, the team with the LOWEST number advances.
Top seeds like No. 1 Harvard-Westlake and No. 2 Eastvale Roosevelt get the advantage and luxury of hosting all three games, but if either one loses, it could be in trouble.
"You feel like you have to go 3-0," Harvard-Westlake coach David Rebibo said. "The reward for us is home games, but the burden is: if you lose, you need a miracle."
Despite less room for error compared to lower-seeded teams, Rebibo knows the value of home games.
"Especially, because the section is so big. Travel, bus rides, all that is taxing," he said. "The fact that I know my guys are in routine and in our gym is huge."
Rebibo, a well-respected coach nationally, put it in black and white.
"You want to advance to the final, defend home court. Simple."
Corona Centennial coach Josh Giles has been a top seed before. Now, he's the lowest seed.
"If you're a top seed and you lose a game, you don't really control your own destiny anymore," Giles said. "If you're a low seed and you lose a game, you still control a lot because of that tie breaker."
"As a top seed, if you lose, a lot of stars have to align for you. You start rooting for other teams," Giles added laughing.
He's been there.
In 2021, Centennial was the No. 2 seed and lost its opening game to Harvard-Westlake, but Harvard-Westlake went on to lose its next two games to Mater Dei and Damien. The Huskies won their next two games and advanced to the Open Division finals where they beat Sierra Canyon.
"We got lucky," Giles said.
3-WAY TIE IN 2023
Last year, St. John Bosco lost its opening round to West Ranch before winning its next two games to force a three-way tie in Pool B at 2-1 with West Ranch and Harvard-Westlake.
- St. John Bosco was the No. 6 seed and had a tie-breaking total of nine (wins over No. 2 Harvard-Westlake and No. 7 St. Bernard). [2+7=9]
- Harvard-Westlake's was 10 (wins over No. 7 St. Bernard and No. 3 West Ranch). [7+3=10]
- West Ranch's was 13 (wins over No. 7 St. Bernard and No. 6 St. John Bosco) [7+6=13]
The Braves advanced to the Open final and fell at the buzzer to Centennial, 58-56.
2024 OPEN DIVISION OUTLOOK
The Open Division begins Friday night. Below are the two pools, seedings and schedule.
In theory, No. 5 Sierra Canyon and No. 6 St. Pius sit in the best spots. They will each play two road games and one home game.
POOL A
- 1. Harvard-Westlake (26-3)
- 4. St. John Bosco (23-5)
- 5. Sierra Canyon (24-2)
- 8. Corona Centennial (20-10)
POOL B
- 2. Eastvale Roosevelt (29-2)
- 3. Mater Dei (26-2)
- 6. St. Pius (22-5)
- 7. JSerra (24-4)
OPEN DIVISION SCHEDULE
(All games at 7 p.m.)
Feb. 9
- Centennial at Harvard-Westlake
- Sierra Canyon at St. John Bosco
- JSerra at Roosevelt
- St. Pius at Mater Dei
Feb. 13
- Sierra Canyon at Harvard-Westlake
- Centennial at St. John Bosco
- St. Pius at Roosevelt
- JSerra at Mater Dei
Feb. 16
- St. John Bosco at Harvard-Westlake
- Centennial at Sierra Canyon
- Mater Dei at Roosevelt
- JSerra at St. Pius
