March Madness expansion proposal draws ire from NCAA fans: ‘I hate it’
by Liam Griffin · The Washington TimesCollege basketball fans are crying foul over the NCAA’s newly reported plan to expand its annual men’s and women’s March Madness tournaments from 68 to 76 teams as soon as next season.
Traditionalists took to social media and the airwaves on Wednesday, worried that the expansion would too heavily favor big schools, thus taking opportunities away from Cinderellas hoping for their one shining moment.
ESPN broke the news of the 76-team bracket on Tuesday night, noting that the planned expansion was in its final stages after NCAA officials began meeting with broadcast partners. Organizers could receive final approval — with support from the men’s and women’s basketball committees, the men’s and women’s basketball oversight committees, the Division I cabinet and the Division I board of governors — next month.
The move, according to multiple reports, would feature a minor bump in profits for the NCAA. The math is easy — more games lead to heftier TV contracts, more tickets sold and more revenue, even if those lower-stakes games arrive in the week between Selection Sunday and the Round of 64.
Rumors about an expanded tournament have floated around college basketball circles for more than a year. But Tuesday’s news was nevertheless met with groans and jeers from March Madness’s faithful fans.
“Everyone knew NCAA tournament expansion to 76 was inevitable. Almost nobody wants it. Those trying to argue its merits are gaslighting you,” Sports Illustrated’s Pat Forde wrote on X. “I’ve written it many times — it’s a lousy development that contributes to the erosion of what makes college sports great.”
The primary concern from many college basketball analysts, fans and former players is rooted in the effect on so-called “mid-majors,” programs outside of the “power” athletic conferences.
Schools like VCU, George Mason, Loyola Chicago and St. Peter’s became legendary for their unlikely runs deep into the annual tournament. But most skeptics believe the expanded bracket wouldn’t benefit those smaller programs.
Advertisement Advertisement
Instead, the added berths would likely head to schools from “power” conferences like the SEC, Big 10, Big 12 and ACC. Last season, Auburn (17-16), Oklahoma (19-15) and Indiana (18-14) were among the last teams left out of March Madness.
An expanded bracket would’ve allowed those middling squads to go dancing.
“Anybody that wakes up today and thinks that more Cinderellas are going to get a larger invitation, this is about the royal family having more seats at the table. And the royal family are the power conferences here,” ESPN’s Jay Williams said on Wednesday morning. “They’re going to generate more revenue, more at-large bids.”
That revenue, according to dismayed fans, appears to be the driving force behind the expansion decision.
“The NCAA has never led with the thought of what’s best for the sport or fan. It’s always money-driven. There’s no logical explanation for watering down a perfect product other than greed,” wrote David Berov, who covers St. John’s basketball.
Advertisement Advertisement
The profit margin isn’t a strong enough justification to assuage the worries of disgruntled fans who believe the NCAA is tinkering with a beloved staple of the sports calendar.
“I have a great idea @NCAA why not make it 84 teams? 98? 112! Who gives a s— it’s more money!” Craig Horlbeck, a podcast host for The Ringer, wrote on X. “College sports has 27 bigger problems to solve and they decided to mangle the greatest sports event of the year. Regular season will mean less, and March Madness becomes less special.”
The beauty of the NCAA Tournament lies in its simplicity, according to many expansion critics. It features an easy-to-read and understand bracket that allows casual fans to develop a rooting interest while the unlikely underdogs delight the masses.
An extra wave of play-in games muddies that process.
Advertisement Advertisement
“Two at-large play-in games is a wrinkle. Most have no problem filling out a bracket before those games are played,” Kerry Miller, co-host of Bleacher Report’s “Unnamed Bracketology Podcast,” wrote on X. “But 12 play-in games complicates the bracket-picking process, which complicates casual interest.”
Beyond that, the tournament’s exclusivity is threatened when any SEC, Big Ten, ACC or Big 12 squad can scrape into the event if they manage even a slim winning record.
“I hate it. I can’t hate it enough,” John Auville said on Wednesday morning’s edition of “The Sports Junkies.” “Why are we lowering the standards? Just opening up the gates for everybody to get into the tournament.”
Participation trophies have become a well-worn punching bag in youth sports circles. The NCAA Tournament’s new reality, according to Williams, is its ultimate form.
Advertisement Advertisement
“What … is the point of having a tournament if more teams continue to get in? Because it’s about this,” Williams said, rubbing imaginary dollar bills between his fingers. “We’re not teaching the valuable lessons.”
NCAA officials released a statement on Tuesday evening indicating that no decision had been made regarding March Madness expansion.
“Expanding the basketball tournaments would require approval from multiple NCAA committees, including the men’s and women’s basketball committees,” an NCAA spokesperson said. “No final recommendations or decisions have been made at this time.”
— This article is based in part on wire service reports.
Advertisement Advertisement
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.