With March Madness kicking off today, I thought it was a good time to discuss the possibility of expanding the NCAA tournament to 96 teams. That’s right…the NCAA is actually contemplating the idea of changing the tournament from 65 teams to 96. You might be asking yourself, “Why would the NCAA ever want to do something like this?” The answer, as I’m sure you know, is simple…MONEY. There isn’t any other explanation for it. Having that many teams will hurt the tournament in every spot except for the NCAA’s pockets. There are only 347 Division I basketball teams right now and so basically, the NCAA would like over 25% of the schools out there to make the tournament. Why not just let everyone in? How about this…if you can manage to finish .500 you get in…would that work?
Right now, with the 65 team configuration, schools can actually be proud to make it to the dance…it’s special. Would you really be proud of yourself if you were the 96th team in? Not only would it take away from being in the tournament, but with 96 teams, why bother having conference tournaments. Today the conference tournaments give teams that are on the bubble a glimmer of hope. With 96 teams, I think the entire Big East conference would’ve had a shot at the tournament this year. Here’s the bottom line…the difference between the top teams in the nation and any of the other schools that would only make it into a 96 team field is so great, why even bother letting them in? I also think having that many teams would eliminate the “Cinderella Story” factor. Right now, an 11 or 12 seed has a shot in the first round against a 5th or 6th seed. My feeling is, if they have to play another game before they get to the 5th or 6th seed this might take away from the upset possibility due to fatigue or injury. I am begging you NCAA officials don’t dilute Basketball like you did Football. (Does anyone really care about the S.D. County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl?)
If you want to add a little spice to the tournament, have a play in game in each region. Under today’s rules, 65 teams make the tournament with the lowest two seeds playing a “play-in” game for the right to face a number 1 seed. Why not have a play-in game at each of the four regions thus allowing more teams to participate in the tournament while not adding ¼ of the Division I schools out there? Let me know what you guys think? Am I missing something here? Is there any possible way, its actually good to have 96 teams in the tournament?
Enjoy the games and good luck with your brackets!
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