Pete Thamel breaks down logistics of potential NCAA Tournament expansion

Discussions of expanding the NCAA Tournament have once again ramped up. ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported on the topic Saturday from Tuscaloosa, saying the field could grow from 68 to 76. An additional eight teams could hear their name called on Selection Sunday.

On Tuesday, Thamel dove into the potential expansion a little more. He began by saying nothing is finalized as negotiations are still ongoing between the NCAA and media partners. But the extra eight teams would be used similar to the First Four now, currently hosted in Dayton.

“What we reported Saturday was that 76, if they were to expand, and it’s a negotiation with the media partner so nothing is done, would be the more likely option of what it would look like,” Thamel said via the College GameDay Podcast. “It would be an addition of eight teams, eight more games, another site, another site.

“They play a First Four in Dayton, I would imagine that Dayton gets eight and another site would get eight. I was told it would likely be outside the Eastern Time Zone. Do they use Dallas, Frisco? Whatever they’ve used for some stuff, do they used Vegas?”

Thamel cited traveling to sites as to why somewhere further West might be used. Notre Dame back in 2022 was used as an example, beating Rutgers in Dayton before having to fly all the way to San Diego for their first-round matchup. Mike Brey‘s team wound up beating Alabama but still endured lengthy travel.

Placing teams in a central city such as Dallas (Kansas City was also thrown out there by Thamel) or into the Pacific Time Zone with Vegas might reduce plane rides ahead of massive NCAA Tournament games.

As mentioned, the conversation about expanding is still occurring. But Thamel believes a decision should be coming in the relative future. Growing to 76 teams would be put into effect immediately for the 2026 tournament.

Coaches and programs should know the sport’s postseason landscape well before putting together next season’s roster.

“They do seem to be down the road,” Thamel said of the discussions. “I was told that we should know fairly soon. Two, three months, something like that, of how that negotiation unfolds. This would be for 26. If this is going to happen a year from now, we will know in the relatively near future whether or not this is going to end up happening.”

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