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Could the NCAA expand March Madness?

Could the NCAA expand March Madness?

USA Today29-05-2025

Could the NCAA expand March Madness? The NCAA Tournament field could grow to 72 or 76 teams.
Could March Madness be expanded?
The current NCAA Tournament setup has been that 68 teams qualify. Eight teams play in the First Four, with the four winners moving on to the first round of 64 teams.
Now it appears the NCAA might be in favor of increasing the number of spots to 72 or 76 as soon as the 2026 NCAA Tournament. It's unclear whether the final number would include early play-in games like the current First Four setup, though it seems likely.
It seems that at least some coaches are in favor of the idea -- which makes sense, since an expanded field would give more teams a shot at entry and all that comes with it. Others might argue that the current field is the correct size.
Is more basketball necessarily better? Or is the NCAA going a bit too big?
Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (Formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.
Follow Tim on X: @tehealey

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