NCAA President Plans March Madness Expansion to 72-76 Teams

NCAA President Charlie Baker has expressed a strong interest in expanding the men's NCAA Basketball Tournament beyond its current 68-team format, considering options of 72 or 76 teams. The goal is to reach a decision within the next few months to allow for logistical planning, including travel and scheduling complexities. Baker highlighted that the current format leaves many deserving teams, such as Indiana State in 2024, out of the tournament, and expansion would provide opportunities for those teams close to the cutoff. Discussions with CBS and Warner Bros. Discovery, which airs the tournament games, are ongoing, though some media executives question the value of additional games for broadcasters. The potential expansion aims to address concerns about fairness and inclusivity, especially among blue blood programs which often secure bids despite uneven resumes. However, opinions vary on whether the expansion is driven by competitive balance or other interests within college basketball's power structure.