The long-debated topic of NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament expansion appears to be gaining significant traction, with a notable endorsement coming from a powerful contingent: Big 12 head coaches. Kansas head coach Bill Self, a two-time national champion, revealed on Wednesday during the Big 12’s spring meetings in Orlando, Florida, that the conference’s coaches are collectively in favor of expanding March Madness.
“There was a little bit that was brought forth, and the consensus among the coaches was—even though it was very little—was [that] we would be in favor of it,” Self stated. “I don’t know the number we’d go to. But I do know that there’s discussions about that.”
This unified stance from one of college basketball’s most competitive conferences adds considerable weight to the ongoing discussions within the NCAA. The idea of growing the tournament beyond its current 68-team format has been a persistent point of contention and interest, with proponents arguing for increased access for more deserving teams and opponents citing concerns about diluting the prestige of qualifying.
Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark has been a vocal advocate for expansion, previously expressing his desire to see the men’s tournament grow to 76 teams. Yormark has consistently emphasized that any expansion would need to be accompanied by enhanced financial contributions from media rights holders, underscoring the economic motivations behind such a move.
While no official decision has been reached by the NCAA, various reports suggest that potential expansion scenarios are being actively analyzed, with discussions reportedly targeting a field of either 72 or 76 teams. Such changes could potentially be implemented as early as the 2026 tournament.
For the Big 12, a conference renowned for its deep and highly competitive basketball landscape, the support for expansion is not surprising. Even perennial tournament participants like Self’s Kansas Jayhawks, who rarely find themselves on the bubble, recognize the benefit of a larger field, especially as the landscape of power conferences continues to evolve and expand, potentially leaving deserving teams on the outside looking in. The collective sentiment from Big 12 coaches could serve as a significant catalyst in pushing the NCAA toward a larger March Madness in the very near future.