Here’s what you must realize about NCAA Tournament expansion, which college sports leaders insist on cramming down our throats.
A 76-team tournament, compared to 68 teams, won’t make the college basketball season better. It also won’t make it substantially worse.
Adding eight bids won’t alter the season much at all. The season already exists as a mostly low-stakes affair until March. That won’t change.
What if: What 76-team expanded March Madness would have looked like in 2026
Iowa State Cyclones fans cheer against the Kentucky Wildcats during the first half in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Enterprise Center on March 22, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri.
Nebraska's Berke Buyuktuncel celebrates with fans following a second-round game in the NCAA men's basketball tournament between Nebraska Cornhuskers and Vanderbilt Commodores at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on March 21, 2026.
Arkansas Razorbacks cheerleaders in the second half against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center on March 19, 2026 in Portland, Ore.
A Texas Christian University Horned Frogs cheerleader practices before the game during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 19, 2026 in Greenville, SC.
1 / 37See best of March Madness 2026, from mascots and fans to celebritiesIowa State Cyclones fans cheer against the Kentucky Wildcats during the first half in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Enterprise Center on March 22, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri.
Iowa State Cyclones fans cheer against the Kentucky Wildcats during the first half in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Enterprise Center on March 22, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri.
Nebraska's Berke Buyuktuncel celebrates with fans following a second-round game in the NCAA men's basketball tournament between Nebraska Cornhuskers and Vanderbilt Commodores at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on March 21, 2026.
Arkansas Razorbacks cheerleaders in the second half against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center on March 19, 2026 in Portland, Ore.
A Texas Christian University Horned Frogs cheerleader practices before the game during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 19, 2026 in Greenville, SC.
If you watched Houston-Kansas at 9 o’clock Eastern on a Big Monday in February, you’re either a college hoops junkie, or you’re gambling. Or, both.
No judgment, but let’s be honest, that single contest didn’t meaningfully alter either team’s fate. Any power conference team with a pulse is making the Big Dance, whether the field stays at 68 or goes to 76.
I have no appetite for NCAA Tournament expansion. It’s wholly unnecessary and designed to reward barely-above-.500 teams from power conferences.
But, much as I lack enthusiasm for bracket expansion, I also can acknowledge its impact probably will be minimal.
After the field expands, a handful more mediocre power teams will qualify and make a brief March Madness appearance. Maybe, another mid-major or two will gain entry. But, expanding the field from 68 to 76 won’t significantly reshape the sport or its fandom.
The diehards still will tune in regularly. The casuals will climb aboard once March arrives, as conference tournaments approach. The March Madness passersby and only-interested-because-of-their-bracket types will wander in on the Thursday of the first round, once the play-in games (or, whatever we’re calling them) are completed.
Nothing is gained from tournament expansion, other than a few more shekels. Not much is lost, either.