Bill Self: Big 12 coaches support tourney expansion
May 28 - Men's basketball coaches in the Big 12 are in favor of expanding the NCAA Tournament, Kansas coach Bill Self told reporters Wednesday.
Self said the coaches discussed the topic at the conference's spring meetings in Orlando, Fla., and supported increasing the number of participating schools.
This 2025 NCAA Tournament marked the 40th men's bracket since the field expanded to 64 teams in 1985. In 2011, the NCAA added the First Four round, increasing the field to 68.
A potential expansion to 72 or 76 teams, perhaps as soon as 2026, has been under consideration for at least a couple of years.
NCAA senior vice president of basketball Dan Gavitt told CBS Sports in February that "committees are continuing their ongoing analysis of whether or not to expand the championships, and if so, how to go about doing that."
Gavitt said organizers are still studying the financial burden and travel demands of staging a larger tournament, while also weighing opinions on whether expanded fields would water down the competitive viability of the events.
Seven Big 12 teams made the men's NCAA Tournament in 2025, including recent conference additions Arizona, BYU and Houston.
Self, 62, has led the Jayhawks to the NCAA Tournament every season it has been held since he took over in 2003-04, winning championships in 2008 and 2022.
--Field Level Media
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Auto Blog
12 minutes ago
- Auto Blog
Walmart is selling a $458 Milwaukee power tool kit for just $180, and shoppers say it ‘has more than enough power'
Autoblog aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission. Whether you need a drill or an impact driver, Milwaukee is the place to look. In fact, the power tool brand has both available for over 60% off as part of a limited-time flash deal at Walmart right now. The Milwaukee M12 Combo Tool Kit with Drill and Impact Driver is on sale for $180, which is 61% off the original $458 price tag. This bestselling set of power tools boasts over 60 five-star ratings and shoppers say it's the 'perfect size' and just an all-around 'great combo set.' Milwaukee M12 Combo Tool Kit with Drill and Impact Driver, $180 (was $458) at Walmart Hammering, unscrewing, and so much more is possible with this handy tool kit. The 6-inch drill driver and the 5-inch hex impact driver are light enough to use with ease, and fit into the tight spaces that other bulky power tools might be too big for. The hex driver even has built-in LED lighting that'll illuminate your work area, no matter what time it is. But perhaps the best part of this set is everything that comes with it. You'll score the two power tools as well as two battery packs and a charger. And to top it all off, you'll also receive an M12 tool bag that'll keep everything together — with free shipping to boot. 'Exactly as advertised,' one shopper said. 'The tools are small and compact but very powerful. Definitely worth the price. I would purchase it again without hesitation. I'm completely satisfied with my Milwaukee tools.' 'Powerful and great value,' another reviewer began. 'More than enough power for most DIY jobs. Milwaukee products are always top notch. Great value for the product offered.' The Milwaukee M12 Combo Tool Kit with Drill and Impact Driver is labeled as a 'Flash Deal' at Walmart, meaning it won't be on sale for long. Enjoy the 61% markdown ASAP before this dazzling discount drives away. About the Author Daniel Donabedian View Profile
Reuters
21 minutes ago
- Reuters
Rodgers' long, strange trip through free agency ends in Pittsburgh
NEW YORK, June 7 (Reuters) - Quarterback Aaron Rodgers' ended his long-running free agency saga as the polarizing four-times NFL MVP launched a new chapter of his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday. The team posted on social media a photo of Rodgers wearing a Steelers hat with a pen in his hand and a smile on his face two days after reports of the first broke. "Done deal," the photo caption said. The one-year contract is for $13.65 million, which includes $10 million guaranteed and has a maximum value of $19.5 million, ESPN reported on Saturday, citing sources. The deal is pending a physical, the team said. Rodgers will hold a press conference on Tuesday after minicamp practice. Months of speculation gave way to frustrated impatience from fans seeking any clue to his future following Rodgers' acrimonious split from the New York Jets almost four months ago. The 41-year-old left the team after a turbulent two-year-tenure that began with a torn Achilles tendon and ended with a clumsily concealed behind-the-scenes spat with owner Woody Johnson. Analysts laid out a few possible destinations for the twice NFL passing touchdown leader but as teams recruited talent in free agency and at April's Draft, the odds Rodgers would play again appeared to dwindle with each passing day. NFL experts and insiders indicated last week that the Steelers were no closer to sealing the deal. "We've heard Art Rooney, the Steelers owner, say they expect that Rodgers will eventually sign. But here we are, June 4, nothing but silence," ESPN's Adam Schefter said. But Rodgers, once criticised for misleading fans and reporters about his COVID-19 vaccination status, again confounded expectations on Thursday, as news broke he would join the Steelers on a one-year deal. Rodgers produced a solid 3,897 passing yards and 28 touchdowns across 17 games last season, but some experts are skeptical. "It's a joke. What are you going to do? Bring him in just for a year? He should stay (at home) in California," four-times Super Bowl winner-turned-broadcaster Terry Bradshaw said on his "Morning Mayhem" radio show last week. Once the face of Green Bay during his 18 seasons with the Packers, Rodgers hoisted the Lombardi Trophy with the team in 2011 and will come face-to-face with them again - playing for the team they beat in the Super Bowl - in Week Eight. He will open the season against the Jets.
Sky News
31 minutes ago
- Sky News
Donald Trump warns of 'consequences' if Elon Musk funds rivals - as 'big bomb' Epstein post disappears
Donald Trump has warned of "serious consequences" if Elon Musk funds the US president's political rivals - as the social media post at the centre of their public falling out was removed. Speaking on Saturday to Sky News' US partner NBC News, Mr Trump warned of repercussions if Musk funded Democrats who opposed his sweeping budget bill. "If he does, he'll have to pay the consequences for that," Trump said in a phone interview. "He'll have to pay very serious consequences if he does that," he added, not specifying what those consequences would be. 'The truth will come out' It comes after the tech billionaire claimed the US president appeared in files relating to the disgraced paedophile Jeffrey Epstein in a post on his social media platform X, as he traded blows with his former colleague in a dramatic public row. In the post, which now appears to have been deleted, Musk said: "Time to drop the really big bomb: "@realDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public." He had doubled down in a follow-up post, saying: "Mark this post for the future. The truth will come out." He gave no evidence for the claim, which was dismissed by the White House - with the posts disappearing from his social media platform by Sunday. Users clicking on the message - first posted on Thursday - were instead greeted with: " page doesn't exist. Try searching for something else." Epstein killed himself in his jail cell in August 2019 while awaiting trial on charges of sex trafficking minors. JD Vance has his say Amid the fallout, vice president JD Vance said Musk was making a "huge mistake" going after Mr Trump but characterised him as an "emotional guy" who got frustrated. He made the comments in an interview with comedian and podcaster Theo Von - one of the "manosphere" influencers the Trump team targeted to gain votes with young men during the election. "I hope that eventually Elon comes back into the fold. Maybe that's not possible now because he's gone so nuclear," Mr Vance said. He also said such outbursts "happen to everyone", adding: "I've flown off the handle way worse than Elon Musk did in the last 24 hours." 'Big ugly spending bill' Musk and Mr Trump's relationship broke down publicly on Thursday, just days after the Tesla and SpaceX chief executive left his role as a special government employee. In a fiery exchange, Musk posted a series of messages on X criticising the president's signature tax and spending bill as a "big ugly spending bill". President Trump posted on his own platform Truth Social, saying Musk had been "wearing thin" and claimed he "asked him to leave" his government position - something Musk denied. Musk then hit back with his claim about the US president appearing in the Epstein files. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed the comment in a statement. "This is an unfortunate episode from Elon, who is unhappy with the One Big Beautiful Bill because it does not include the policies he wanted," she said. "The president is focused on passing this historic piece of legislation and making our country great again." The spat hit Tesla shares, which closed down 14.3% on Thursday, losing about $150bn (£111bn) in value. In an interview with ABC News, Mr Trump was asked about reports a phone call was scheduled between him and Musk on Friday.
