MBC Roundtable: NCAA Tourney Expansion?

The NCAA men’s basketball committee is set to meet in Orlando later this month. Several coaches have suggested that the tournament should be expanded beyond 65 teams. The Master Basketball Coaches opened up the question for debate and weighed in on what they would like to see happen with the NCAA Tournament in years to come.

Hoop Legends John Wooden and Dale Brown believe that every Division I team should get a bid into the tournament. “With all 325 schools getting in, you only add two more weeks in the tournament,” Coach Brown said. “The monies raised in those first two games, after expenses, can be given to various charities, such as the Katrina Relief Fund in New Orleans.”

Coach Bobby Cremins believes the field should be expanded to 72 teams. “There will be four play-in games on Tuesday,” he said. “Those extra games will allow most of the bubble teams to get in, like Cincinnati or Florida State from last year.”

Money is a definite factor in the possible expansion of the NCAA Tournament. CBS has a considerable contract with the NCAA for exclusive coverage of the tournament; therefore, it will be difficult to change the structure.

“(The coaches) used to meet with the tournament committee and bring up different ideas for expansion,” Hoop Legend Jud Heathcote said, “but 65 seems to be a sacred number to them.”

Coach Wooden concluded his campaign by saying, “Regardless of how many teams get into the tournament, there will always be some dissatisfaction, and you will never please everybody."

HEAR: The Master Basketball Coaches NCAA Tournament Roundtable Discussion: Listen to Audio