INDIANAPOLIS -- In a perfect world, college basketball coaches would nearly double the size of the 65-team NCAA Tournament field. Realistically, they would accept a smaller victory.
Motivated in part by George Mason's remarkable Final Four run last season, coaches will urge the NCAA to expand its most lucrative championship event during the men's and women's basketball committee meetings in Orlando, Fla., this week.
"They'd love to see the tournament double to 128," said Jim Haney, executive director of the National Association of Basketball Coaches. "It's based on several things. First, there are a lot of good teams worthy of making the NCAA field, and second, the size of 64 or 65 has been in place for a number of years."
Potential models range from minor adjustments to major changes.
When Haney met with NCAA officials last month, he proposed the 128-team field in part because postseason bids might help coaches keep their jobs.
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| South Carolina and mascot 'Cocky' probably would have preferred an NCAA bid over an NIT title. (Getty Images) |
Some believe such a schedule would create a more realistic tournament environment since first-round sites also play four games on the first day.
But changes don't appear imminent.
In March, NCAA president Myles Brand said he didn't see much support to expand the field and vice president for men's basketball Greg Shaheen reiterated that point Friday.
"Many, many people believe the size of the championship is just right," Shaheen said. "A lot of people think there's enough recognition of teams that did well and there's a logical and timely conclusion to the season."
Shaheen said this week's discussions, which end Thursday, will mark the first time expansion has been on the agenda in several years. The reason?
After a four-year legal battle with the National Invitation Tournament, the NCAA agreed to buy the tournament for $56.5 million last August.
Expansion also faces additional hurdles.
