This expected deviation from the NCAA Tournament shouldn't have a huge effect on the Huskies directly, but it could play a role indirectly.
Earlier this week, it was reported that the NCAA is set to move the NCAA Tournament from 68 teams to 76 teams for both the men's and the women's events.
The change is not finalized yet, but it should be in the next several weeks and it will take place for the 2026-27 version of the tournament.
Pete Thamel of ESPN had the report.
Some fans will certainly criticize the move, as it's another deviation from tradition in college sports. Other fans will laud the move, as it means a greater chance for teams to make the tournament and more games for fans to watch.
How would it all work?
According to Thamel's reporting, there would be the eight new teams added to the tournament, bumping the field from 68 to 76 teams. The currently named "First Four" would expand to 12 games, featuring 24 teams before the first Thursday of the tournament.
Those 12 winners would advance into the traditional tournament bracket, giving us the 64 teams that we are accustomed to on the first Thursday of the event.
For the basic math of it all:
76 teams in the tournament.
24 playing in the "First 12"
52 teams not playing in the "First 12"
52 non-playing teams + 12 winners = 64 team traditional bracket
Why is this being done?
It appears as if this is being done for two reasons:
1) To get more power conference programs in the at-large pool
2) To make more money at a time when college programs really need it in order to fund NIL, and to keep their athletic departments in tact.
Thamel's reporting indicates there will be a profit from this decision, but it's not expected to be a "financial windfall."
The primary driver of this move hasn't been money, but rather access for at-large bids for power conferences. The expansion has been pushed by power conferences, which have grown throughout the course of the current deal.
Connecticut Huskies head coach Dan Hurley talks with an official against the Michigan Wolverines in the first half during the national championship of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Robert Deutsch-Imagn ImagesWill this benefit the UConn men and women's programs?
Not really, other than any financial boon. The UConn men and women's programs are so good that the odds of them being in position 69-76 for the NCAA Tournament are not that great. But in theory, should one of them have a down year, these additional selections will add a new avenue to make the tournament.
But again, the Huskies do not aspire to be in that spot.
What's more likely to help UConn is the indirect benefit. Teams that end up having to play in those "First 12" games will be more tired by the time they get to UConn in subsequent rounds, and there will be more tape on those teams for UConn coaches to review and scout.
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