Latest news with #Gavitt
The Herald Scotland
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
NCAA basketball tournament won't expand for 2026, possible in 2027
"Expanding the tournament fields is no longer being contemplated for the 2026 men's and women's basketball championships. However, the committees will continue conversations on whether to recommend expanding to 72 or 76 teams in advance of the 2027 championships," Gavitt said. One of the most divisive topics in college hoops, the expansion of the tournament had been picking up steam in recent months by the high powers of college sports. At a Big 12 meeting in May, NCAA president Charlie Baker told reporters the NCAA had "good conversation" with its media partners about the possibility of increasing the number of teams in the field and wanted a final determination in the coming months. On July 10, Gavitt said no decision was made on tournament expansion after it was "discussed at length" during meetings for the committees. While those in power had building toward expansion, the possibility of it has drawn the ire of college basketball enthusiasts, with the common belief adding more teams ruins what is considered a perfect tournament, with any and all tweaks unwarranted. The men's tournament expanded from 53 teams to 64 in 1985, and the format stood until 2011, when the First Four was introduced and grew the field from 65 to 68 teams. On the women's side, the bracket increased from 48 teams to 64 in 1994, and the First Four was also implemented in 2022. When the First Four was expanded, it meant more at-large selections and conference tournament champions had to play their way into participating in the first round of the tournament. It led to Cinderella runs to the Final Four like Virginia Commonwealth in 2011 and UCLA in 2021. NCAA Tournament expansion history Here's a look at the history of the NCAA men's tournament expansion: 1951 : expands from eight to 16 teams : expands from eight to 16 teams 1953 : grows to 22 teams : grows to 22 teams 1975 : expands to 32 teams : expands to 32 teams 1979 : grows to 40 teams : grows to 40 teams 1980 : expands to 48 teams : expands to 48 teams 1983 : grows to 52 teams : grows to 52 teams 1985 : expands to 64 teams : expands to 64 teams 2001 : adds one team for opening round play-in, expands to 65 : adds one team for opening round play-in, expands to 65 2011: First Four added, grows field to 68 Here's the expansion history of the NCAA women's tournament: 1982: 32 teams 32 teams 1983: grows to 36 teams grows to 36 teams 1984: dwindles back to 32 teams dwindles back to 32 teams 1986: grows to 40 teams grows to 40 teams 1989: expands to 48 teams expands to 48 teams 1994: grows to 64 teams grows to 64 teams 2022: First Four added, expands to 68 teams Contributing: Craig Meyer
USA Today
7 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
NCAA basketball tournament won't expand in 2026, still possible for 2027
March Madness will not expand − for now. NCAA senior vice president of basketball Dan Gavitt announced on Aug. 4 the men's and women's basketball NCAA Tournament will keep its current format for the upcoming season, with the possibility of expansion happening the following year. The announcement means the 2026 NCAA Tournament will remain at 68 teams. 'Expanding the tournament fields is no longer being contemplated for the 2026 men's and women's basketball championships. However, the committees will continue conversations on whether to recommend expanding to 72 or 76 teams in advance of the 2027 championships," Gavitt said. One of the most divisive topics in college hoops, the expansion of the tournament had been picking up steam in recent months by the high powers of college sports. At a Big 12 meeting in May, NCAA president Charlie Baker told reporters the NCAA had "good conversation" with its media partners about the possibility of increasing the number of teams in the field and wanted a final determination in the coming months. On July 10, Gavitt said no decision was made on tournament expansion after it was 'discussed at length' during meetings for the committees. While those in power had building toward expansion, the possibility of it has drawn the ire of college basketball enthusiasts, with the common belief adding more teams ruins what is considered a perfect tournament, with any and all tweaks unwarranted. The men's tournament expanded from 53 teams to 64 in 1985, and the format stood until 2011, when the First Four was introduced and grew the field from 65 to 68 teams. On the women's side, the bracket increased from 48 teams to 64 in 1994, and the First Four was also implemented in 2022. When the First Four was expanded, it meant more at-large selections and conference tournament champions had to play their way into participating in the first round of the tournament. It led to Cinderella runs to the Final Four like Virginia Commonwealth in 2011 and UCLA in 2021. NCAA Tournament expansion history Here's a look at the history of the NCAA men's tournament expansion: Here's the expansion history of the NCAA women's tournament: Contributing: Craig Meyer
USA Today
10-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
No decision made on NCAA basketball tournament expansion following committee meetings
After days and weeks of intense speculation, the NCAA men's and women's basketball tournaments won't be expanding — at least not quite yet. In a statement released on July 10, NCAA senior vice president of basketball Dan Gavitt said that no decision has been made on tournament expansion after it was 'discussed at length' this week during meetings for the NCAA Division I men's and women's basketball committees. Gavitt added that expanding the fields to 72 or 76 teams, or sticking with the current 68-team model, remain 'viable outcomes' in advance of either the 2026 or 2027 tournaments. REQUIRED READING: College sports bill introduced by bipartisan group of House members The NCAA men's basketball tournament last expanded in 2011, when the advent of the First Four stretched the field from 65 to 68 teams. The NCAA women's tournament remained at 64 teams until 2022, when it also made the jump to 68 teams. Should the tournament expand by eight to 76 teams, which ESPN reported last month is the more likely option, it would be the largest increase in tournament teams since 1985, when it went from a 53-team event to a 64-team one. The discussion around tournament expansion has intensified this year. While speaking with reporters at a Big 12 meeting in May, NCAA president Charlie Baker said the NCAA had been having "good conversation" with its media partners about the possibility of increasing the number of teams in the field. "Our goal here is to try to sort of get to either yes or no sometime in the next few months because there's a lot of logistical work that would be associated with doing this,' Baker said at the time. 'If we were to go down this road, you just think about the opening weekends, who has to travel the longest, it gets complicated." Dan Gavitt statement on NCAA tournament expansion Here's Gavitt's statement in full: 'The NCAA Division I Men's and Women's Basketball Committees met this week, with the men's meeting taking place in Savannah and the women's meeting in Philadelphia. The topic of expanding the field for each championship was discussed at length but no decision or recommendation was made. The still viable outcomes include the tournaments remaining at 68 teams or expanding the fields to either 72 or 76 teams in advance of the 2026 or 2027 championships.'
Fox News
16-03-2025
- Sport
- Fox News
Duke says Cooper Flagg will play in NCAA Tournament after recent injury put him in wheelchair
Despite a gruesome injury that required wheelchair assistance this week, Duke men's basketball star Cooper Flagg will play in the NCAA Tournament, according to his team. Duke and the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) informed the NCAA Tournament selection committee that Flagg will be available for the tournament, Dan Gavitt, NCAA senior vice president for basketball, said Saturday. Gavitt made the comments on CBS before Sunday's announcement of the field of 68. Flagg sprained his left ankle during Duke's win against Georgia Tech Thursday in the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament quarterfinals. It happened when Flagg jumped to get a rebound. As he fell to the floor, he landed on his left ankle. He immediately crumpled to the floor. The 6-foot-9 freshman lingered on the floor for a few moments before being helped up by his teammates. Flagg then limped to the bench, clearly in distress, before sitting down. After he left the game, Flagg was put in a wheelchair and taken to the locker room. Despite the injury, Flagg returned from the locker room to the bench to cheer on his teammates in the second half, but he did not return the game. Duke coach Jon Scheyer said in a postgame news conference there was swelling in the ankle. Flagg, named ACC player and newcomer of the year by The Associated Press Tuesday, missed Friday's semifinal win against rival North Carolina. Afterward, Scheyer ruled Flagg out for Saturday night's title game against No. 13 Louisville. Flagg sat on the bench in black warmups during the UNC game, standing at the back of huddles with injured teammate Maliq Brown. Flagg walked without a major limp or protective boot during Friday's game. Gavitt said Flagg's status isn't the only injury the committee is tracking through the weekend since player availability can factor into a team's seeding. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Fox Sports
15-03-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
NCAA's Gavitt: Duke, ACC tell selection committee Flagg will be available for March Madness
Associated Press Top-ranked Duke and the Atlantic Coast Conference have informed the NCAA Tournament selection committee that freshman Cooper Flagg will be available for March Madness, NCAA senior vice president for basketball Dan Gavitt said Saturday. Gavitt made the comments on CBS in the lead-up to Sunday's announcement of the field of 68 teams. Flagg sprained his left ankle during Duke's win against Georgia Tech on Thursday in the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament quarterfinals. The 6-foot-9 forward — named the ACC player and newcomer of the year by The Associated Press on Tuesday — missed Friday's semifinal win against rival North Carolina. Afterward, coach Jon Scheyer ruled Flagg out for Saturday night's title game against No. 13 Louisville. Flagg sat on the bench in black warmups during the UNC game, standing at the back of huddles with injured teammate Maliq Brown (shoulder). Flagg walked with no major limp or protective boot during Friday's game. Gavitt said Flagg's status isn't the only injury the committee is tracking through the weekend since player availability can play a factor in a team's seeding. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college basketball: and recommended
