The NCAA is on the verge of making a massive decision about the state of college basketball.
The college basketball postseason tournament is one of the best couple of weeks in the entire calendar year. Starting on the second or third Thursday in the month of March, people gather around their TVs to take in the upsets and the madness that occurs in the month.
The NCAA, in its infinite knowledge, is changing the best thing that sports have going right now.
On Tuesday, ESPN's Pete Thamel reported that the NCAA is nearing a playoff expansion to increase the field from 68 to 76, which will go into effect immediately.
The implication of this decision is that the First Four on Monday and Tuesday have become a mainstay in any hoops household.
Four 16-seeds are fighting for the final two spots, while four 11-seeds are dueling for their final spot in the tournament.
It is an subpar event that kicks off March Madness, but it will be gone forever. The agreement that was made through the NCAA changes the first four games to the first 12 games, featuring four 16-seed games, two 15-seed games, two 12-seed games, and four 11-seeds.
I can speak for America at large when I say that nobody wanted this expansion. Nobody needs to see four extra 11-seed games, two more 16-seed games, two more 15-seeds, and two twelves.
It simply doesn't make any sense, and it is the executives at the NCAA saying loud and clear that they need more money in their name. The result is more teams in the tournament, more games to be played.
If the tournament does expand, the chances are that a team like Penn State will have a legitimate chance to make it into the dance. The final resumes will be incredibly mediocre, and that is just to say it nicely.
The final teams that will receive the nod to play in this tournament won't even be able to hold a candle to the top teams in this league. The constant expansion of things is going to come back and bite in a major way.
Furthermore, the NCAA makes decisions like they are turning a cruise ship. They don't make these decisions quickly; rather, they take their time.
This one, not so much. When it does pass, it will go into effect right away in the 2027 season.
The NCAA is on the verge of a critical, game-changing decision. The truth is that hogs get fed while pigs get slaughtered. They are taking the step to prove that they are closer to the latter and are only doing this for the almighty dollar.
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