The biases on this thread are extremely evident, and I agree with both sides on certain points. A blind draw can really devalue the silver ball (as the west TN people are pointing out), but it doesn't devalue the gold ball (as the middle/east TN people are pointing out...although, if you contend that the draw can't change who will be champion, you don't know basketball). People want the system to make scenarios that are in their own interests. If the east dominated like the west year in and year out, and this year the heavy favorites were from the east and playing each other in the first round, I think you would see the same people posting but saying the opposite. The west TN people would be saying it was fair and quit crying and vice versa. I don't blame the middle and east TN fans for being fed up with the arrogance of the west, especially in regards to single A where the competition is much more balanced than most of the west people think. I have faced the same personal bias every year at the Boro, and good east teams like Temple have gradually BEATEN this out of me. But back to the topic, I don't see any feasible way of changing the system, and a draw is the best solution as of now. Although it won't happen, for fairness I would like to see the region champions alternate who they play for substate (my own bias, since my team plays one of the toughest region champs every year). But as this whole thread proves, life isn't fair. I am thankful that I get to go and watch all the great games every year, and all I can do is enjoy it and hope the best team wins.