The NCAA has made a decision that will reshape March Madness, but not everyone is celebrating. In a move that rewards high-major mediocrity while potentially sidelining smaller programs, the NCAA men's and women's basketball tournaments are set for their biggest expansion since the 1980s.

NCAA committees voted Thursday to approve plans that will expand the current 68-team fields to 76 teams. For the men's tournament, this means doubling the number of play-in games held on the opening Tuesday and Wednesday. While proponents argue this will create more opportunities for Cinderella stories, the reality may be less romantic.

Instead of adding more plucky underdogs from the Horizon League or MAC, the expansion is likely to give more at-large bids to teams from power conferences like the SEC and ACC—squads that hover just above .500. A look at last year's projected bracket under the new format tells the story: potential additions included a 17-16 Auburn team (which did win the NIT), 19-15 Oklahoma, 18-14 Indiana, and 22-11 San Diego State. Of the eight prospective invitees, only three came from outside the five high-major conferences.

The change isn't official yet, but full ratification is expected soon. For low-major conference champions who earn their spot, the news is particularly tough. Instead of four teams competing for two 16-seed slots, there will now be 12 teams vying for six slots—including two 15-seeds and all the 16s. This might produce a more battle-tested underdog, or it could simply exhaust them before they get a chance to pull off those rare, unforgettable upsets that define March Madness.

At its core, this expansion solves a problem that didn't exist. March Madness has thrived on its unpredictability and the drama of David vs. Goliath. By inviting more high-major teams to wallow in mediocrity, the NCAA risks diluting the very magic that makes the tournament special. Some teams will rise above the muck and make a Sweet 16 run, providing anecdotal evidence of success. But for the most part, we'll be left with forgettable weeknight games and fewer chances for the little guys to shine.