Expansion to 96, Not So Much....68 is Relevant

Expansion is a term used in sports when talking about starting something new, whether it be a new franchise in the NBA, MLB, etc. or starting new leagues in various sports. Now, the term expansion is being thrown around in Division I, NCAA basketball. This type of "expansion" would be expanding the 64-team basketball tournament, held every March, to 96 teams!

This idea is outrageous! I know what the NCAA is dreaming of: dollar signs, cash registers' exploding, and swimming in "moolah", but is the money worth "watering down" the tourney with boring games? To those still dreaming, "Yes", but to the college basketball fan who enjoys the thrill of March Madness, "No!"

Think about the teams you would have in the tourney, I mean does college basketball really want the stigma of, "Hey, we don't have to play hard, we can have a losing record and still get in the field." Don't get me wrong not all teams with losing records are going to get in, but some will, and it makes regular season conference play irrelevant, as well as, conference tournaments.

What I do propose is expanding the field to 68. Every one-seed would be rewarded by having two teams play "play in games" to see who will play each. They already have one a year, what is the problem with having three more? This would also give three more at-large bids. If look year after year, people usually complain about three or four teams who didn't make it. This year, Mississippi State, Virginia Tech, and Illinois were all talked about as being "NCAA worthy", with this system all three would've made the field.

I feel a 68 team field would love most happy, 96 however, is just too many teams. You what they say, "if it isn't broke, don't try to fix it". With all the complaining going on year after year, what is it going to hurt to try?

Until Next Time, Adios!