NCAA plans to expand basketball tournament to 76 teams

In recent discussions, Charlie Baker, the president of the NCAA, expressed optimism about the potential expansion of the NCAA basketball tournament from its current 68-team structure to either 72 or 76 teams. The conversations involved television partners and NCAA basketball committees and aimed to address competitive equity as well as the growing demand for more at-large bids by major conferences. Baker highlighted the importance of making a decision by the end of March Madness 2025 in order to implement the changes by the 2026 tournament. He underscored that the tournament size is unlikely to surpass 76 teams, largely due to scheduling constraints posed by other major sporting events, specifically the Masters golf tournament, which creates a tight window for games. Baker remarked that there is significant pressure due to the increased competitiveness in collegiate basketball leagues, which he indicated could lead to more opportunities for teams from smaller leagues to qualify for the tournament. He added that proposals presented by the NCAA's basketball committees last June were in response to demands for an increase in the number of at-large bids. The discussions reflect an ongoing trend, as prominent figures like SEC commissioner Greg Sankey have been vocal about the need for more inclusion in tournament opportunities. In parallel to these discussions, Baker is focusing on implementing recent changes to NCAA regulations that will allow for direct payments to players, a substantial shift stemming from a pending antitrust settlement. Addressing the cyclical nature of selection processes, Baker noted that disappointment with selection outcomes is common, drawing a contrast between the NCAA's methods and the College Football Playoff selection procedures. This undertaking comes amidst increasing scrutiny and evolving dynamics in college athletics, particularly regarding fairness and equitable opportunities across different conferences.