In Scottsdale, Arizona, at the Big 12’s annual spring meetings, league commissioner Brett Yormark announced that the conference’s 16 coaches are in favor of expanding the NCAA Tournament field. While there is support for the idea in theory, discussions have revolved around expanding the field to 76 teams as reported by ESPN in March. Yormark expressed his openness to this model and emphasized the importance of not messing with the greatness of the tournament while considering ways to enhance it. He believes that periodic audits and modifications can be beneficial in providing more access and improving the overall tournament experience. The tournament is regarded as one of the greatest spectacles in sports and captivates a wide range of fans, making it important for any changes made to be done thoughtfully and deliberately.
Expanding the NCAA Tournament: Balancing Tradition and Access in the Big 12’s Quest for Greatness
