Story perspectives

NCAA Considers Expanding Basketball Tournaments Beyond 68 Teams

2/4/2026

Summary

Story summary

NCAA President Charlie Baker supports expanding the men's and women's basketball tournaments beyond 68 teams, with 2026 not necessarily the final year as discussions consider adding four to eight teams.
Past expansions faced resistance but ultimately succeeded.
Current bracket projections show a similar mix of power and non-power conferences, with five men’s and six women’s teams from power leagues.
No final decisions on expansion have been made yet.

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Story summary

NCAA President Charlie Baker supports expanding the men's and women's basketball tournaments beyond 68 teams, with 2026 not necessarily the final year as discussions consider adding four to eight teams.
Past expansions faced resistance but ultimately succeeded.
Current bracket projections show a similar mix of power and non-power conferences, with five men’s and six women’s teams from power leagues.
No final decisions on expansion have been made yet.