During a three-day meeting this week, the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee discussed the possibility of expanding the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament of 68 teams, although the expansion of the field “is not imminent”.
In January, the NCAA transformation committee He said the NCAA should consider expanding its brackets to include 25% of the teams in every sport with at least 200 participating schools.
A close-up of the Final Four logo at center court during the semifinal game of the Final Four of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at NRG Stadium on April 1, 2023, in Houston, Texas. (Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)
“The committee should be a good steward of the Division I men’s basketball championship,” said Dan Gavitt, NCAA senior vice president of basketball. “They are committed to doing their due diligence by looking at a few different models to make an informed decision that is in the best interest of the championship, and that may very well include deciding against expansion.”
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The NCAA Men’s Tournament expanded from 65 teams to its current number of 68 in 2011.
The tournament now has “Top Four” games before the opening weekend of the NCAA Tournament.
Sweet 16/Elite 8 March Madness logo on a basketball prior to the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament between the Miami (Fl) Hurricanes and the Houston Cougars at T-Mobile Center on March 24, 2023 , in Kansas City, Missouri. (Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
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“The committee and staff will continue to study options and gather feedback from various constituents,” Gavitt said. “It remains to be seen if the tournament expands or not.”
In May, Florida State head coach leonardo hamilton he stated his desire to double the current NCAA Tournament field during the spring ACC meetings.
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Caleb Mills, #4, and head coach Leonard Hamilton, of the Florida State Seminoles talk during the second half of the game against the Miami (Fl) Hurricanes at the Watsco Center on February 25, 2023, in Coral Gables, Florida. (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
“I think the NCAA tournament is the biggest sporting event in the world. It captures everyone’s imagination for about three weeks,” Hamilton said, according to ESPN. “Parity has been set. It may be a little ridiculous when I make this comment, but I think I could double down on it.
“You’re already playing Dayton in two nights. So in two days, you’re back at the same number. So, you’ve got the dates. You just have to figure out how to play them on different sites. Maybe that could be a little aggressive. Some people think that 96 is the number. Personally, I think you need to double the tournament.”
