NCAA Tournament likely to expand

[cyclones500]

Using 2026 tournament actual 68-team selection + Bracket Matrix, these would have been additional at-large with 72 and 76 format:

72
Auburn
San Diego State
Oklahoma
New Mexico

76
(in addition to 72)
Indiana
Stanford
Belmont
California

"First four out” for 76 (based on Matrix):
Oklahoma State
Seton Hall
Dayton
Tulsa

 

[BCClone]

96 is only 10 years away

128

 

[cayin]

Puke. yeah, lets cheapen the event. I don't even like it at 68. Should have kept it 64

 

[peteypie]

Feel like we are not far off from this.

 

[MeanDean]

They're all trying very hard to make me care less and less about college sports. And it's working.

 

[MeanDean]

just make it a tournament with all 330 schools at this point because expanding past 64 was and is stupid

Yeah, the conference tournaments used to act as de-facto elimination of most of the country. I say go back to 64. No more than 6 teams per conference.

 

[theshadow]

just make it a tournament with all 330 schools at this point because expanding past 64 was and is stupid

It would only add one weekend.

Top 64 host the opening rounds. Bottom-end teams fill in based largely on geography (bus time!).

Round of 512 - Wednesday/Thursday
Round of 256 - Thursday/Friday
Round of 128 - Saturday/Sunday

Survivors advance to the "real" bracket starting the following Thursday.

Final Four weekend:
Saturday afternoon - Masters 3rd round
Saturday night - National Semifinals (game 1 overlaps Masters)
Sunday - Masters final round
Monday - National Championship

 

[AgronAlum]

Money really has to ruin everything, doesn’t it?

 

[Cloneon]

Money is obviously steering this. Soon we won't need the season. Or, more likely, they'll shorten the season.

 

[cycloneworld]

The NCAA tournament is perfect at 64 teams. Fans could could somewhat take the expansion to 68 but to add even more crappy P5 bubble teams is beyond stupid.

But it’s a great example of the state of college athletics. Nothing is never enough and “leaders” will dilute something great if they can squeeze a few more bucks from it.

 

[madguy30]

Money is obviously steering this. Soon we won't need the season. Or, more likely, they'll shorten the season.

Which like bowl games has been the reason for its existence and expanding through the decades as is.

But 64 was perfect imo.

I've been less and less interested in it on the whole the last few years and that will continue with this.

 

[ItsCyence]

Can't wait to see more .500 power conference teams that muddled around all January and February get their rightful chance in March....

 

[SCNCY]

I assume the recent addition to revenue sharing is pushing schools to accept this proposal.

 

[madguy30]

Can't wait to see more .500 power conference teams that muddled around all January and February get their rightful chance in March....

This is what the Johnny Orr era's success included so it's not quite that simple.

 

[ForbinsAscynt]

I love how the ncaa just does things that no one is asking for.
Next they’re gonna add a 4 point shot and make the rim bigger.

 

[cytor]

Don't forget, 6 years of player eligibility is right around the corner!

 

[cyclones500]

I'm sure more games means more money, but I seldom watch the First 4 games. Why would Iwatch the First 12 games.

Also not sure why the NCAA continues to minimize these games by classifying them as "play-in" games for the real tournament/main bracket.

I guess it also gives more P5 coaches, who finish around .500, a reason to complain they were unfairly fired after their team makes the NCAA Tournament.

I catch a few of the First 4 games, sometimes just parts of them, but I don't make a point to schedule the viewing, just sort of let it happen.

Many seasons, there are a couple of the First Four games that are exciting/close, but that can happen for any game any time throughout a season, with any matchup. It's basketball.

I don't know whether extra games add much money to the overall tournament cashflow, but I haven't seen stats for viewership & advertising, so I'm just guessing and could be way off.

Also, the fact an at-large First Four routinely advance at least a couple of rounds doesn't show the "value" of expansion. Upsets happen. (You didn't make reference to that aspect or some of these other details, just my separate observation, because you got me thinking).

Regarding play-in, actually NCAA officially calls it First Four, but fans often use "play-in" and some consider it not really in the tournament.

Regarding the coaches, I agree about that. I've seen quotes directly from coaches through the years about how missing the tournament is like some unfair career thing. Hey, try to win a few more of those 31-plus games before that, and you don't have to worry as much!

 

[cytor]

This move is completely unnecessary. The play in games are already watering down the competition. We dont need more teams.

 

[1UNI2ISU]

Every .500 power league team is in now.

Rutgers-Mississippi State in a half empty gym on Tuesday afternoon in Vegas is going to be electric!!

 

[SolterraCyclone]