The committee voted to adopt the men's index in order to take more into account the value of games won and lost at home and on the road, and the quality of wins based on the opposing team's won-lost record.

Since the Division II Men's Basketball Committee doesn't meet until June, the women's committee will wait to review any adjustments made by the men's committee to the strength-of-schedule index before finalizing the changes.

"This is an extremely important decision for our committee," said Judy Southard, chair of the committee and athletics director at Texas Woman's University. "As a group, we felt that this would allow us to place greater value on certain games. For instance, it will now benefit a team more to schedule teams with better winning records and even more, to beat those teams on the road."

"It's important to note that we listened to our constituents," Southard said. "The changes in our criterion along with the changes in calculating the strength-of-schedule index are a reflection of many suggestions that we received from coaches from all regions."

In other actions, the committee, heeding a request from the Division II Championships Committee, will recommend that the championship bracket increase from 48 to 64 teams in 2003. The women's basketball committee is suggesting that eight, eight-team regionals be played Friday, Saturday and Monday. The format focuses on keeping student-athletes in class as much as possible, while incorporating a day off Sunday before the championship game.

"Student-athlete welfare continues to be our No. 1 priority," Southard said. "This format not only presents the opportunity for more student-athletes to enjoy the championship experience, but it also does so without compromising academic integrity. We also feel that it is beneficial that the format mirrors the format for the Women's Elite Eight."

Also, the committee planned its calendar for next year and will publish its first regional rankings December 19. The group also examined the schedule for selection weekend now that conference championship games can be played on selection day. The committee will recommend to the Championships Committee that all games tip off before 5 p.m. Eastern time to allow the committee to complete selections in a timely manner.