Discussions regarding the potential expansion of the Division I basketball tournaments occurred, with possible formats being 68, 72, or 76 teams. NCAA president Charlie Baker endorsed the idea to increase value. Conversations with TV partners CBS and Warner Bros are ongoing. Adding more teams presents logistical challenges, particularly related to the 'First Four' games. Speculation indicates that expansion may bring in more at-large teams from major conferences, impacting lower-ranked conference champions. Notable examples show how larger conference bubble teams can succeed in the tournament.
The still viable outcomes include the tournaments remaining at 68 teams or expanding the fields to either 72 or 76 teams in advance of the 2026 or 2027 championships.
Baker also mentioned increasingly difficult logistics involved with adding teams to what is now known as the 'First Four' - a series of four games played on Tuesday and Wednesday of the first week to place four teams into the 64-team bracket.
Currently, two of the First Four games involve 16 seeds -- teams that automatically qualify by winning lower-ranked conferences -- while two more involve at-large teams often seeded 11 or 12.
You could go ask my SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said at league meetings in May.
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