The NCAA rumor mill has churned out a juicy morsel and it will be interesting to see if it actually turns out to be true. Sources have stated it’s a “done deal” that the NCAA basketball tournament will be even bigger and badder than the current 65-team field and it could happen as quickly as next year. The expansion will result in either a 68-team event or an eye-popping 96-team tournament. The NCAA supposedly is going to make the move in order to sign a long lucrative contract with a network or host of networks and 96 teams makes the tournament even more appealing. Currently the NCAA has three years left on their contract worth $2.131 billion, but they do have the ability to opt-out before August 31st.

If the tournament does expand to 96 teams it really concerns me on a few fronts. First and foremost, it would drastically dilute the field and allow some real dogs to make the tournament that don’t deserve to be there and won’t have a shot at winning the championship. Secondly, I’m concerned the expanded field will really take away from the regular season. Currently you need to be on your game every night or you won’t be enjoying the thrill of playing on national TV in the middle of March. If they allow another 32 teams in you will without a doubt see teams take nights off in the regular season yet still make the Big Dance with a 17-13 record. Also if the NCAA is going to extend the tournament even more, which will cause players to miss more class, how can it continue to justify not having a college football playoff?

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