Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

NCAA Expands March Madness to 76 Teams in 2026

5/10/2026

30 2

Summary

Story summary

The NCAA will expand the basketball tournaments from 68 to 76 teams starting in the 2026-27 season.
Dick Vitale condemned the move, saying it admits more mediocre teams.
Fran McCaffery said Iowa’s 25-13 record in 2012-13 missed the tournament, a fate the larger field would avoid.
Joe Lunardi projects Eric Musselman’s USC Trojans as a No. 4 seed in the East Region, set to meet Yale in Spokane, Washington.

History

Historical Context

In 1985 the NCAA enlarged the men’s basketball tournament from 53 to 64 teams, adding 11 slots and eliminating byes, which sparked nationwide TV coverage and the rise of ESPN’s March Madness broadcasts. The 2026-27 vote to grow the field to 76 teams follows that precedent, reviving concerns voiced by coaches such as Dick Vitale and Fran McCaffery about competitive balance and revenue distribution.

1 of 2

Story summary

The NCAA will expand the basketball tournaments from 68 to 76 teams starting in the 2026-27 season.
Dick Vitale condemned the move, saying it admits more mediocre teams.
Fran McCaffery said Iowa’s 25-13 record in 2012-13 missed the tournament, a fate the larger field would avoid.
Joe Lunardi projects Eric Musselman’s USC Trojans as a No. 4 seed in the East Region, set to meet Yale in Spokane, Washington.

1 / 2