The NCAA has done it again—tinkering with a formula that millions of basketball fans already love. This time, it's March Madness expansion, and the timing couldn't feel more off.
An official announcement is expected this month: the NCAA Tournament will grow from 68 to 76 teams. That means 12 extra play-in games—half in Dayton, Ohio, and half at a new western location—stretching the action to Tuesday and Wednesday of tournament week. Six of those slots go to one-bid league champions (earning No. 15-16 seeds), while six go to at-large teams (landing No. 10-12 seeds). The remaining 52 teams get opening-round byes.
On paper, it sounds like more basketball. But here's the reality check: who's tuning in for Tuesday afternoon tip-offs beyond die-hard gamblers and proud parents? And will these games land on CBS/Turner, or get farmed out to ESPN or Amazon Prime? A 2 p.m. Tuesday tip would come just 44 hours after Selection Sunday—barely enough time for fans to catch their breath.
The bigger concern is what this expansion means for the soul of the tournament. The "little guys"—the mid-major Cinderellas that make March Madness magical—would now be sent to Dayton for a glorified play-in instead of experiencing the full bracket. That's not the tournament experience anyone dreams of.
Worse, the expansion rewards mediocrity in power conferences. Do we really want teams finishing 7-11 in league play earning a spot? The Athletic ran a mock 76-team field last month and found eight Power 5 programs and just four mid-majors in the at-large play-in pool. Get ready for Indiana vs. Cincinnati on a Tuesday—and not the kind that makes headlines.
The NCAA will spin this as an opportunity for overlooked mid-majors. But the math tells a different story. More at-large bids mean more .500-or-worse teams from the SEC, Big Ten, and ACC sneaking in. It's a system that rewards "good enough" in a conference that's already top-heavy—and lets athletic directors argue that 7-11 in league play deserves a contract extension.
Yes, the extra revenue helps fund non-revenue sports. But the ripple effect is undeniable: we're watering down the one event that still feels pure. For most of us, Thursday and Friday of the first weekend are sacred—appointment viewing built on bracket busters and buzzer beaters. Let's hope that magic doesn't get lost in a sea of Tuesday play-in games.