Growing Popularity for Expanding the NCAA Tournament Dance

President Charlie Baker has announced that a decision will be made in early April regarding the potential expansion of the NCAA Tournament in 2026.

During a sports business conference in Las Vegas, Baker stated that there is growing support for increasing the number of teams in the tournament from 68 to potentially 76.

According to Baker, media and TV executives, as well as most conference commissioners, are becoming more open to the idea after NCAA vice president Dan Gavitt proposed it in June.

Also see this picks: Duke Blue Devils vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 21st 2024 Also see this picks: North Florida Ospreys vs. Florida Gators Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 21st 2024

"I am optimistic about the discussions we have had about expanding to 72 or 76 teams, and I believe the committees are willing to consider it. However, I do not think it will go beyond that," said Baker on Wednesday.

Some coaches, such as John Calipari and Tom Izzo, have expressed their support for maintaining the current setup, which has been in place since the addition of the First Four in 2011. However, others, like Akron's John Groce, believe that smaller conferences deserve a chance at additional at-large bids.

Several high-profile commissioners, including Greg Sankey of the SEC, have argued that automatic bids for smaller conferences have diluted the quality of the tournament. Currently, 32 conference champions receive automatic bids.

However, as seen in the 2024 NCAA Tournament, there are no guarantees for teams that win their conference. In the first round, 14th-seeded Oakland, the Horizon League champion, upset No. 3 seed Kentucky, while 13th-seeded Yale, the Ivy League champion, defeated No. 4 seed Auburn.

Oakland had 11 losses in the regular season, and Yale had nine. These upsets highlight the potential for smaller conferences to make an impact in the tournament.

Longtime Oakland coach Greg Kampe has spoken out against any potential changes to the tournament, stating that it is one of the top three sporting events in the world.

N.C. State, another underdog in the 2024 tournament, was one of five ACC teams to receive a bid in a conference that has since expanded by three teams.

Also see this picks: Marquette Golden Eagles vs. Xavier Musketeers Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 21st 2024 Also see this picks: Connecticut Huskies vs. Butler Bulldogs Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 21st 2024

Wolfpack coach Kevin Keatts, who previously coached at mid-major UNC Wilmington, believes that more teams should have the opportunity to participate in the tournament. He recalls his experience at UNCW, where the only way to secure a spot was by winning the conference tournament.

In November, Baker denied reports that the NCAA was considering expanding the tournament field beyond 76 teams. He acknowledges that there will always be differing opinions on the tournament format.