The NCAA announced on Monday that the men’s and women’s basket bar championship tournaments of 2026 remain with 68 teams.
The decision was made on a joint zoom call between the I Men’s and Women’s Basketball Committees on Monday afternoon, according to CBS Sport.
“Expanding the tournament is no longer considered for the men’s and women’s basketball championships for men and ladies,” said NCAA senior vice president of basketball than Gavitt in a rack.
The mood is seen as a huge victory between college basketball circles and fans.
Dear America,
Today is a great day for college basketball.
This is how the victory feels.
Our way of life has deserved the right to continue!
Anarchy?
No. Simply common sense.
Honestly,
Yr
– Jon Rothstein (@jonrothstein) August 4, 2025
The committees had three options on the table: 68, 72 and 76 teams. A source told CBS Sports 68 and 76 teams were the two most likely long -term scenarios. The discussion was aimed at logistics, financial data and frameworks of the larger tournaments.
So we are not out of the forest yet.
“The committees will continue conversations about the recommendation to expand to 72 or 76 teams prior to the 2027 championships,” Gavitt said.
The men’s and women’s tournaments of 2025 saw minimal participation of the mid-major ranks. Each tournament had only received two mid-major conference several bids.
On the men’s side, four Mountain West teams made the field and two of the WCC (including Gonzaga, so really only one of our WCC teams). The Women’s Tourney contained a record of three Ivy League teams and a few of the Atlantic 10.
The men’s tournament expanded from 65 to 68 teams for the 2011 tournament. VCU played in the first four and Final Four in the first year of the extensive field. The ladies’ tournament jumped from 64 to 68 in 2022.
For at least one year we have the biggest spectacle in the sport intact. For everyone who wonders, selection Sunday is March 15, 2026. We’ll see you 68 teams there.
#NCAA #March #Madness #teams