What we all fear (and know is inevitable) may be happening soon. Like next season soon.<\/p>\n
We\u2019re a month away from the 2025-26 college basketball season, and it could very well be the last for college hoops as we know it. And love it.<\/p>\n
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Ross Dellenger, from On3, reported<\/a> Thursday that executives are \u201cinching closer\u201d to expanding the NCAA Tournament from 68 to 76 teams beginning in 2026-27.<\/p>\n No. Please, no.<\/p>\n Now that that\u2019s off my chest let\u2019s break it down.<\/p>\n Dellenger reported that the addition of eight at-large teams will create 12 \u201copening round\u201d games over two days. Half of these games would be in Dayton, the current host of the play-in games, and half likely be at a basketball-centric Western location. The 24 teams in these games would be 12 lower-seeded automatic qualifiers and the last 12 at-large teams.<\/p>\n With this format, 37.5% of the automatic qualifiers will have to win their way into the Round of 64. You\u2019ve got to be kidding me. Here\u2019s what the NCAA would be saying to these conference champions: \u201cCongratulations! You qualified to qualify again!\u201d<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n To paraphrase a line from \u201cSemi-Pro,\u201d these teams that lose in this new opening round will have won a giant title that says NCAA Tournament participant.<\/p>\n Pssst. They\u2019re not NCAA Tournament participants.<\/p>\n But remember, this move would be all about access. More Division I teams means we need more NCAA Tournament teams.<\/p>\n Well, there\u2019ll be more at-large teams. We all can get behind that, right? WRONG.<\/p>\n We don\u2019t need more .500 or below .500 power conference teams watering down the greatest sporting event. Who remembers Virginia in 2024? The Cavaliers, who scored 14 \u2013 yes, 14 \u2013 points in the first half of their First Four loss to Colorado State, scream to everyone a team worthy of having a chance to win a national championship.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n I think we\u2019ll pass.<\/p>\n So, why is this change so imminent? Money, of course.<\/p>\n Everything is money related.<\/p>\n The NCAA already looked into expanding for the upcoming season. The upshot<\/a>: the added games will not lead to the boost of revenue those in power were hoping.<\/p>\n If the math doesn\u2019t work for 2025-26, it doesn\u2019t work for 2026-27. Or any time thereafter.<\/p>\n