Has March taken everyone by surprise?
We’ve been so caught up in the regular season that we almost forgot it’s coming to an end. The first conference tournament bracket is already out, thanks to the Atlantic Sun. League titles are being decided, and the bubble is heating up. It’s that time of the year!
However, with all this excitement comes one of our least favorite storylines: the push for unnecessary changes.
1. NCAA Tournament expansion
During “College GameDay” a couple of weekends ago, ESPN’s Pete Thamel mentioned that discussions about expanding the NCAA Tournament are progressing. There’s a possibility of increasing the field from 68 teams to 76, potentially altering the postseason. The decision-makers appear to be moving forward with this concept, and we might hear more about it in the next few months.
Thamel wouldn’t be talking about this on live TV if it wasn’t a serious consideration. If an agreement is reached in time, we could see changes as early as the 2026 tournament. This could be the last Big Dance as we know it since 1985.
Expanding to 76 teams would mean an extended First Four with teams competing in Dayton and another site, likely outside the Eastern time zone. Looking at The Athletic’s latest bracket prediction, several teams with questionable resumes would make the cut.
- Indiana, Wake Forest, North Carolina, SMU, Cincinnati, Xavier, Boise State, and TCU would all be included, despite their lackluster performance.
It’s clear that the push for expansion is coming from the power conferences, led by SEC commissioner Greg Sankey, who has been vocal about including more teams from smaller conferences.
But do we really need more mediocre high-major teams at the expense of deserving mid-majors?
2. It’s time to talk Gonzaga
Gonzaga’s spot in the NCAA Tournament is not guaranteed this year. The Zags are on a similar path as they were in 2011 when they barely made it in as a No. 11 seed. With only two top-50 wins and a lackluster resume, Gonzaga needs to finish strong to secure their spot.
Their performance in the regular-season finale and the WCC tournament will be crucial in determining their fate.
3. A bubblicious spotlight
Arkansas, Georgia, and North Carolina are three teams making waves on the bubble:
Arkansas: Despite a slow start, Arkansas has improved defensively and is now in contention for an NCAA Tournament bid. Their recent wins over quality opponents have bolstered their resume.
Georgia: Georgia’s win over Florida was a significant boost to their tournament hopes. With a strong nonconference performance and a chance to add more wins in the coming games, they are in a good position.
North Carolina: UNC has rediscovered some form with a revamped lineup. A win over Duke could solidify their tournament chances, especially if they continue their recent offensive surge.
Overall, the push for NCAA Tournament expansion and the competitive bubble race make this March Madness even more exciting.