[CTcard]

"The 2018 National Collegiate Men’s Water Polo Championship is a four-team, single-elimination tournament. Six conferences
have been granted qualification into the bracket or opening-round structure and two teams will be selected at large. The top two
teams qualify directly into the national championship; the remaining six teams will compete for the last two championship berths
via four opening-round games, with the winners earning the remaining berths in the championship bracket."

That is not exactly the most clear description of a tournament that I have ever read. [Which I understand isn't your words MT]

First off, it says it is a 4 team tournament, and then describes an 8 team tournament.
I am guessing that means they claim the first round isn't officially part of the tournament.

Next, "The top two teams qualify directly into the national championship" seems to be that the top two teams qualify for the semifinals. Presumably that means the final four is the official "national championship" - but it's a little confusing.

Finally, it is not quite obvious how six teams compete for two berths. I would guess that the third and fourth ranked teams get a bye while #5 plays #8 and #6 plays #7. Then the two winners play either the #3 or #4 seeds to advance to the final four.

I guess I can figure it out (assuming the above narrative is correct), but it seems there is excessive complication here. Presumably this is because they are trying to shoe-horn an 8 team playoff into a situation where they are only allowed a 4 team playoff for some reason?

[CTcard]

"The 2018 National Collegiate Men’s Water Polo Championship is a four-team, single-elimination tournament. Six conferences
have been granted qualification into the bracket or opening-round structure and two teams will be selected at large. The top two
teams qualify directly into the national championship; the remaining six teams will compete for the last two championship berths
via four opening-round games, with the winners earning the remaining berths in the championship bracket."

That is not exactly the most clear description of a tournament that I have ever read. [Which I understand isn't your words MT]

First off, it says it is a 4 team tournament, and then describes an 8 team tournament.
I am guessing that means they claim the first round isn't officially part of the tournament.

Next, "The top two teams qualify directly into the national championship" seems to be that the top two teams qualify for the semifinals. Presumably that means the final four is the official "national championship" - but it's a little confusing.

Finally, it is not quite obvious how six teams compete for two berths. I would guess that the third and fourth ranked teams get a bye while #5 plays #8 and #6 plays #7. Then the two winners play either the #3 or #4 seeds to advance to the final four.

I guess I can figure it out (assuming the above narrative is correct), but it seems there is excessive complication here. Presumably this is because they are trying to shoe-horn an 8 team playoff into a situation where they are only allowed a 4 team playoff for some reason?