Mixed Reaction: Coaches' opinions split on proposal to expand NCAA Tournament to up to 96 teams

It wouldn't take an act of Congress, and in the overall scheme of things, expanding the field for the NCAA men's basketball championship wouldn't solve or create any problems for most Americans. Then why have so many people offered so many opinions on something that's only in the discussion stage, at best, and might not even happen?

Because the three-weekend, 65-team format has become as much a March staple as cold rain in the Northeast and the sound of batting practice in Florida and Arizona.

Talk about expanding the field, from three more teams -- to take away the stigma of a lone play-in game -- to as many as 96, is getting much of the attention as the 2010 tournament begins.

The Associated Press asked coaches across the country about their feelings toward expanding the tournament as their teams played in conference tournaments.

Out of 23 coaches who talked to the AP, the results were roughly split between those favoring expansion to 96 teams, those who like the tournament the way it is but would be open to tinkering with it and those who oppose expansion. Several others said they weren't leaning either way just yet, but they do recognize the opportunity to make money, give more players the chance to experience the tournament, and -- maybe most important -- help a few of the 347 head coaches in Division I keep their jobs.

Feelings are strong on both sides of the issue.

"I think 96 is too much. I really do. I think then the watering down does come into play," said Coach Steve Alford of New Mexico. "I'm not in favor of 96, but I would be in favor of expanding it some."

Coach Rick Barnes of Texas likes the way that the current setup puts basketball front and center in the sports world.

"I don't know why we want to expand it because I think it's a good thing right now," he said. "Obviously, every state has a chance to participate.... People get into conference tournaments and that leads into the NCAA Tournament. For three weeks it takes center stage. I think it's great the way it is. I understand if it goes to 96, I think it'll probably be because of money."

The current 11-year, $6 billion deal between CBS and the NCAA for the television rights to the tournament gives the NCAA an option, available until July 31, to get out of the contract. "Nothing is a done deal or decided at this point in time," NCAA senior vice president Greg Shaheen said. "A lot is at stake here."

Some coaches feel that it's not just about the money.

"I don't think they'll make a decision like that strictly on financial (reasons), but if there's a significant difference in the amount of money that you could make" that has to be considered, Coach Mike Krzyzewski of Duke said, adding that the revenue generated by the men's tournament funds almost all of the championships in other sports.

If the field is expanded, which teams should get invited becomes the hot topic. The mid-majors and lower Division I teams think it should be them who get the bulk of the new bids. Others are worried it would just be an excuse to get most of the "power" conference teams in the field.

"If it's going to be an experience in which, sure, the Southern Conference regular-season winner goes, but then the ninth-place finisher in the SEC or the ACC or the Big East goes with those additional 30-plus or 10-plus or 5-plus slots, I don't think that's fair to the mid-major and low-major programs," said Coach Bob McKillop of Davidson.

He and other mid-major coaches know how just precious a bid can be.

"If I don't go to the NCAA Tournament in the next five years they're going to fire (me) no matter how many games I won," Coach Keith Dambrot of Akron said.

Some big-time coaches can't seem to make up their minds.

"A lot of things, I really do have a strong feel for, but I really don't on this one," Coach Roy Williams of North Carolina said.

"You can make a case to me that there's so many great teams or so many good teams and the margin between 64 and 66 is so slight, why not take it and add one more game, add all these teams. You could make a case and I'd say, ‘All right, that's pretty good.' And then you could make a case how special the tournament is, it really makes the regular season mean a lot more. You can make the case how special 65 is, and you'd finish talking to me, and I'd say, ‘Yeah, you're right.' So if I were to have a lean, I would lean toward the fact that it's pretty special the way it is, but I could be convinced either way."