"Last year's men's tournament produced only 13 outright underdog wins -- tied for the fewest since the field expanded to 64 teams in 1985. The Elite Eight comprised only top-3 seeds, tying it with 2007 as the chalkiest quarterfinal round in tournament history. Additionally, for the first time in modern tournament history, we have witnessed three straight tournaments without multiple double-digit seeds reaching the Sweet 16."
"Coaches, administrators and analysts across the sport point to NIL, the transfer portal and risk-averse scheduling as forces reshaping the college basketball landscape and turning the NCAA tournament into more of a showcase for superpowers than a stage for the improbable."
March Madness has historically thrived on Cinderella stories—unexpected tournament runs by underdog teams that captivated fans and created memorable moments. However, the college basketball landscape is shifting dramatically. Last year's men's tournament recorded only 13 outright underdog wins, tied for the fewest since the 64-team format began in 1985. The Elite Eight featured only top-3 seeds, matching 2007's record for the most chalk-heavy quarterfinal. For the first time in modern history, three consecutive tournaments have lacked multiple double-digit seeds reaching the Sweet 16. Coaches, administrators, and analysts attribute this decline to NIL deals, the transfer portal, and risk-averse scheduling, which concentrate talent and resources among power conference programs.
Read at ESPN.com
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