Today Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim, whose wife is from the glorious city of Middlesboro, Kentucky, mentioned that the NCAA is considering expanding the tournament field to 80 in upcoming years to insure that no worthwhile teams are left out of the Big Dance.  This news actually is not surprising as the cash cow that is the NCAA Tournament can only be greater with the addition of more teams, games and revenue streams for the member institutions.  80 teams gives the top teams a bye and in all actuality, makes it more likely that one of the littlest minnows can win a game in the big dance as the 80th ranked team would only have to play the 49th team, rather than the top ranked team.

But the question becomes whether it is actually needed.  The issue of whether the tournament should be expanded is one that has been debated by college basketball fans since the forties when the fans of CCNY insisted that making them play any team in the championship game was a disgrace.  For the vast majority of the NCAA's history, only conference champions were allowed into the tournament, setting up great conference tournament games, the best of which was hte classic 1974 matchup between NC State and Virginia, which is often mentioned as the second best game ever behind the Christian Laettner travesty.  However, soon after the field quickly expanded, reaching 64 in 1984.  Is 64 enough?  Well until this year, I would have said yes.  I would have made the case that no team not in the tournament has a legitimate chance of winning, or even making the Final 4....so there is no need for more teams.

But then came George Mason....a team that likely should not have even been in the field (Hofstra had a better case), and yet made it to the Final 4.  When combined with the fact that otherwise good programs and coaches were left out this season (Louisville, Maryland, Texas Tech, etc), there is at least an argument that the field should be expanded.  I mean otherwise, how can Rick Pitino ever make it again?  Whether the tournament expands or not, know this.  If it does.....dont believe any of the hype that it is for competitiveness or the institutions and teams being added.  It is for cash....not that there is anything wrong with that, but it is the rationale.  In the same way that I never believe the Turkey Hunter when he tells me that he only dances with overweight chicks to "have fun", I will never believe that the NCAA does anything with non-monetary motives.

KSR Blue Blooded Opinions

NCAA to consider expanding tournament to 80 teams

Could Kentucky lose a first-round pick at defensive back and see the secondary take a step forward in 2025, not backward? Mark Stoops wants to be

Kentucky DB DJ Waller

KSR Football

Mark Stoops continues to believe in Kentucky secondary: "(They) can be really good."

Big Blue Nation is one of a kind, truly. It's a level of passion no one can match -- maybe not even at the professional level, whether you're talking

(Sep 14, 2024; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats cheer during the game against Georgia Bulldogs at Kroger Field. Georgia won 13-12. Mandatory Credit: Carter Skaggs-Imagn Images)

kentucky-football-fans-kroger-field

How annoying are Kentucky fans? Matt Mitchell ranks the SEC schools

I still get a little queasy thinking about how La Familia exited The Basketball Tournament this summer. They had every opportunity to beat Eberlein

team-that-beat-a-la-familia-loses-tbt-championship

Team that beat La Familia loses out on $1 million in TBT Finals

Kentucky continues to set official visits for the fall. 2026 four-star Cole Cloer is the latest player to set his official visit.   The 6-foot-7,

Cole Cloer / Photo by On3's Jamie Shaw

KSR Basketball Recruiting

4-Star SF Cole Cloer Sets Kentucky Official Visit

Of all the rookie seasons we've seen in recent memory, Reed Sheppard's was certainly one of them. The former Kentucky superstar had moments of

Apr 11, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard (15) moves the ball against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

KSR Cats in the NBA

Reed Sheppard named No. 1 sophomore to watch ahead of 2025-26 NBA season

Mitch Barnhart was not willing to give up the competitive advantage that comes with staying silent on Kentucky's revenue-sharing plans. He said six

Kentucky coach Mark Pope and athletics director Mitch Barnhart at Pope's introductory press conference - Aaron Perkins, Kentucky Sports Radio

Kentucky is Spending Money to Make Money in the Revenue-Sharing Era

Expectations were high for Lonnie Johnson Jr., who had gotten off to a hot start in Las Vegas ahead of his debut season with the Raiders. The former

NFL: Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints

KSR Cats in the NFL

Lonnie Johnson Jr. breaks leg ahead of debut season with Raiders

Minicamps across the National Football League are underway, and the buzz is already buzzing around Deone Walker. The Bills selected Kentucky's

bills-veteran-deone-walker-could-be-a-special-player-in-this-league

Bills veteran: "Deone Walker could be a special player in this league."

All eyes are on Tyran Stokes, the nation's No. 1 overall prospect and Kentucky's top target for 2026. He's taken official visits to UK, Louisville

GtL0Bsdb0AAHkdz

Tyran Stokes explains what he's looking for in a school: "I don't like ducking smoke."

In a notable shift from an infamous former stance, NBA legend Allen Iverson is talking about practice. Speaking to kids at the No Flukes Foundation,

allen-iverson-talks-about-practice-and-shai-gilgeous-alexander

Allen Iverson is talkin' about practice and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Former Kentucky track superstar Masai Russell has had a heck of a year. She called her shot last summer at the 2024 Paris Olympics, going into the

Syndication: The Register Guard

KSR Track &amp; Field

Masai Russell continues to do Masai Russell things

Chris Paul and Jayson Tatum joined forces to host their annual High School and College Elite Camps together in Las Vegas this summer, taking place

250623Mbb_30CW

KSR Basketball

Otega Oweh attends Chris Paul & Jayson Tatum Elite Camp in Las Vegas

Well, today was supposed to be the start of my time off with baby No. 2's due date originally set for August 2. Instead, it marks the very end of my

KSR Today 8/3

KSR Today: Babies, Kentucky Football and Bristol Baseball

2026 four-star big Arafan Diane is starting to set visits for the fall. Kentucky has now scheduled one with the highly coveted center.   The

2026 big man Arafan Diane at the NBPA Top 100 Camp in Rock Hill, SC in June 2025. IU basketball

4-Star Center Arafan Diane Sets Kentucky Official Visit

The Kentucky football program opened the gates outside of the practice fields at the Joe Craft Football Training Facility on Friday and Saturday for

1R8A2802

What KSR learned at Kentucky's open practices

As much as we love Kentucky football, the first few days of fall camp can be boring. It's a time for teaching and learning the playbook. That's not

TE Willie Rodriguez makes a highlight reel catch over Jordan Lovett at Kentucky Football Fan Day, via Aaron Perkins, KSR

Willie Rodriguez Skies High in Kentucky Football Fan Day Highlights

For the second straight day, the Kentucky Sports Radio crew was on the sidelines to watch Mark Stoops' Wildcats practice. This calls for a Rapid

Rapid Reaction (1)

Rapid Reaction: High Quality Open Kentucky Football Practice

Ray Davis is a Renaissance Man. The former Kentucky Wildcat learned quite a few lessons while living all across the country. He can do more than just

Former Kentucky RB Ray Davis at Buffalo Bills training camp, via Tina MacIntyre-Yee:Democrat and Chronicle : USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Running Back AND Field Goal Kicker? Ray Davis Does It All

Dazia Lawrence quickly became a fan favorite at Kentucky. The Charlotte transfer was one of the best players on last year's team, but she was also

dazia-lawrence-stuck-around-help-kentucky-newcomers-acclimated (1)

KSR Women's Basketball

Dazia Lawrence has stuck around to help Kentucky WBB's newcomers get acclimated

June is arguably the biggest month in college football recruiting but the word does not finish in the summer when players start committing after

Ben Duncum

KSR Football Recruiting

Auburn sends official offer to Kentucky defensive line commit Ben Duncum

DeRon Rippey Jr. was supposed to celebrate his birthday in Lexington on Friday for his official visit to Kentucky. However, the visit got postponed

Deron Rippey Jr. - Zack Geoghegan, Kentucky Sports Radio

Kentucky Basketball Players and Coaches Send Birthday Wishes to DeRon Rippey Jr. Despite Postponed Visit

Kentucky has mostly avoided the injury bug all offseason but a notable player was not out on the practice field after stretches in each of the open

1R8A2269

Kendrick Law missed both Kentucky open practices but should return soon

It was a beautiful day in the Bluegrass for the 2025 edition of Kentucky Football Fan Day. Big Blue Nation showed up in a big way to see the new-look

1R8A5249

Photo Gallery: Kentucky Football Fan Day Brings Big Blue Nation Together

Kentucky recruited Danville (Ky.) Boyle County standout Montavin Quisenberry for a long time but never decided to go all-in until the three-star

Kentucky WR Montavin Quisenberry, via Aaron Perkins, KSR

Mr. Football Montavin Quisenberry is making plays at Kentucky's fall camp

The Kentucky Wildcats opened the 2025 season with four straight days of practice. BBN got to see all of the action on Saturday at Kentucky Football

NCAA to consider expanding tournament to 80 teams

Discuss This Article

Team that beat La Familia loses out on $1 million in TBT Finals

4-Star SF Cole Cloer Sets Kentucky Official Visit

Reed Sheppard named No. 1 sophomore to watch ahead of 2025-26 NBA season

Kentucky is Spending Money to Make Money in the Revenue-Sharing Era

Lonnie Johnson Jr. breaks leg ahead of debut season with Raiders

Bills veteran: "Deone Walker could be a special player in this league."

Tyran Stokes explains what he's looking for in a school: "I don't like ducking smoke."

Allen Iverson is talkin' about practice and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Blurred out QB

Top 25 WR units

OLB rankings

College Football Playoff

Top 25 College QBs