The NCAA has not yet reached a conclusion on the potential expansion of the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments, and it appears that a decision is not forthcoming, according to Dan Gavitt, the NCAA’s senior vice president of basketball. Currently, the tournaments feature 68 teams, but discussions have been ongoing about possibly increasing the number to either 72 or 76 teams.
Gavitt mentioned in an interview with CBS Sports that a vote in the immediate future is unlikely, though theoretically, a vote by late spring could set the stage for changes by 2026. He explained that any potential expansion involves considering numerous logistical aspects, such as game operations and travel, making it challenging to implement changes by next year without an imminent decision.
He emphasized, “It’s not a decision being taken lightly due to the tournaments’ success and their significance to college basketball as a whole.” He noted that even a small expansion could be quite complex and costly, more so than what might be currently understood or reported.
This upcoming March Madness marks the 40th occurrence of the men’s bracket since it was expanded to 64 teams in 1985. The women’s bracket, on the other hand, reached the same number of teams in 1994.
While Gavitt is uncertain whether the tournaments should expand, he is more open to the idea now than he was a few years ago. Factors such as name, image, and likeness, conference realignment, and the transfer portal have shifted the landscape. He believes men’s basketball, in particular, might be well-suited to accommodate any expansion.
“There’s no sport that has as much depth and parity as men’s college basketball,” he remarked. “There is exceptional basketball being played at every level of men’s college basketball right now. It is crucial to keep the tournament modern and pertinent, reflecting what is transpiring within college athletics.”
