Charlie Baker comments on NCAA Tournament format: ‘I would like to see it expand’
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Expansion of the NCAA Tournament is an ongoing topic of conversation in the college basketball world. Most fans — and Jon Rothstein — believe the tournament should be kept at its current 68 teams. But schools and the power conference commissioners seem hellbent on adding more to the fray. After today’s comments, you can add NCAA President Charlie Baker to the latter group.
According to ESPN’s Jeff Borzello, Baker would “like to see” the NCAA Tournament expand. He said potential expansion is still being talked about, despite massive fan opposition.
The NCAA Tournament has featured 68 teams since 2011. That year, 3 at-large bids were added to create the First Four. VCU, led by Shaka Smart, notably made a Final Four run after appearing in the First Four as a No. 11 seed that season.
The modern NCAA Tournament format began in 1985, when the bracket expanded to 64 teams. In 2000, an additional spot was added due to the creation of the Mountain West Conference. The NCAA did not want to eliminate an at-large bid to make room for a MWC automatic bid, so 65 teams — and a “play-in” game for a pair of No. 16 seeds — was a logical solution.
Selection Sunday for this year’s NCAA Tournament is Mar. 15.
