Report: Blockbuster four-team field decided for 2023 Legends Classic

NS_headshot_clearbackgroundby:Nick Schultz•08/12/22•

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The 2022 Legends Classic is still a few months away in November. But the field is reportedly set for the 2023 edition.

Notre Dame, Auburn, Oklahoma State and St. Bonaventure will participate in the 2023 Legends Classic at Barclays Center in New York, FanDuel and CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein reported. An official announcement is pending, but there’s no timetable yet.

This year’s Legends Classic features an impressive group, as well. Michigan, Pittsburgh, Arizona State and VCU are all participating in the event Nov. 16-17 at Barclays Center.

Notre Dame is coming off a run to the Round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament that started with a marathon victory over Rutgers in the First Four — appropriately on St. Patrick’s Day. Auburn, meanwhile, had a huge year in 2021-22, finishing 28-6 overall, 15-3 in SEC play and as a No. 2 seed in March Madness before falling to Miami in the second round.

Oklahoma State went 15-15 overall and 8-8 in Big 12 action last year while St. Bonaventure went 23-10 overall and 12-5 in the Atlantic 10 to secure a spot in the NIT. The Bonnies wound up falling to Xavier in the tournament championship.

Greg Sankey discusses possibility of expanding NCAA men’s basketball tournament field following ‘fresh look’

In 2011, the NCAA men’s basketball tournament expanded to 68 teams with the First Four in Dayton. Could more changes be on the horizon?

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey made that case during an interview with Sports Illustrated’s Pat Forde.

Sankey talked about what changes the NCAA can make to increase the number of smaller teams to get into March Madness. Last year, 29 of the 68 bids came from Power Five conferences, including six SEC teams. The Big East also had six bids, meaning 35 of the 68 teams came from six conferences.

Although Sankey stopped short of outright calling for expansion, he said a “fresh look” could be worthwhile.

“Just take a fresh look at all of it,” Sankey told Forde. “As we think collectively, everyone goes to the corner and says, ‘I have to hang on to what’s mine.’ But how do we contribute and build it better together?”