Rumors about the expansion of March Madness, and in particular of the NCAA Tournament, have been swirling over the last few weeks. According to a recent statement by NCAA President Charlie Baker, there are serious discussions about expanding the tournament’s format.
Recently, basketball analyst Jeff Goodman reported the following quote from the President of the ruling body of college athletics:
“I’d like to see the tournament expanded.”
Fans didn’t like this statement very much, and they made their feelings known on X.
“Someone get him out. Would be a disgrace and terrible for the sport/post-season play,” wrote one fan
“We’re gonna have 5+ underserving teams make it as at-large this year. We do NOT need expansion at all. It will make the sport worse, not better. Signed, every fan base in America outside bubble teams who get left out,” explained another person
“I’d like to see Charlie Baker unemployed, then,” declared another person
Is this an example of the NCAA abusing student-athletes?
“How much will the players get? Seems wrong that the ncaa can add as many games as they want and get free labor,” said another person
Some people think that the NCAA Tournament is big enough as it is.
“For the love of… are the ratings for the first four games in Dayton actually good enough to justify having more of them? No one talks about those games and most people seem to act like they don’t exist even when filling out brackets,” wrote one individual
“Some good things should be left alone. Want long-shots who had disappointing regular seasons to have a chance? They do. Step up and win your conference tourney for your automatic bid,” said another person
Is it all about money?
“Need to make up for the NIL settlement. It’s all about $$$. Doesn’t matter that it won’t be watched,” explained one fan
How Big Would the Expansion of The NCAA Tournament be?
The expansion proposal would see the NCAA Tournament go from 68 teams to 76, with the additional eight teams playing in a new phase of the tournament that would be called the “First Four”.
This would be in line with the moves the NCAA has made on the college football side of things, with the College Football Playoff (CFP) going from four to 12 teams in 2024. There are also further discussions to expand the CFP even further.
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