College basketball fans are fearing the worst as the NCAA inches closer to expanding the NCAA Tournament. March Madness is one of the most popular sporting events in the world, and many consider it a perfect event.
However, the NCAA is still trying to expand it, leaving fans fuming. NCAA President Charlie Baker announced back in May that he wanted to expand the Big Dance to as many as 76 teams, but wanted to extend it to at least 72 teams. However, in a recent report by Ross Dellenger, it was revealed that the NCAA is "inching closer to an agreement" to have 76 teams make the Big Dance, starting with the 2026-27 season.
Related: NCAA eyes a colossal mistake and college basketball fans are already fuming
NCAA reportedly closer to expanding March Madness to 76 teams
While some Louisville basketball fans hear this and think, well, the Cardinals should be a lock now, at what cost? Many fans took to social media to criticize this update, feeling that the NCAA is making the change for the sake of change.
Executives are inching closer to an agreement to expand the NCAA tournament to 76 teams with a 12-game “opening round” played at two sites starting in 2026-27.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) October 2, 2025
If it gets finalized, how will it work?
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The vast majority believe in the saying "if it ain't broke, don't fix it," and that seems to be the agreement on this March Madness update. The 2025 NCAA Tournament broke records after it earned 9.4 million views in just the first two rounds. The 68-team format is perfect, and their is no need to expand. However, for some reason, the NCAA is ignoring all the fans' comments and concerns and is pushing heavily on this update.
Adding eight more teams to the Big Dance will make it feel almost cheap to make the tournament if you are one of those final eight teams. Not everyone should make the tournament, and expanding it ruins the excitement of making it. The Louisville Cardinals are one of the most historic programs, and with 76 teams making it, Louisville should be almost a shoo-in every year.
Pat Kelsey has quickly flipped this program around, and the way things are going, the Cardinals should be nowhere near the back half of the rankings. However, with this update, fans should feel confident that they will be a lock nearly every season under Kelsey.
For all the latest on Louisville basketball's offseason and recruiting, stay tuned.