So, the rumor is that the NCAA fears that the power conferences will start their own tournament if the NCAA doesn’t expand.
I’m not sure that I believe that - but anything is possible.
Given how unpopular the idea of expansion seems to be, I guess the whisper that it could go away all together may be what it takes to rally some support.
“It no doubt will still be a bitter pill to swallow for traditionalists, but it may be the only realistic way to keep the tournament alive. Project Division I, NCAA president Charlie Baker’s new charge to reconsider the very framework of college athletics, includes several radical proposals, including the creation of a new FBS subdivision. College basketball administrators fear that, if the tourney is left untouched, it will inspire power conference schools to at least consider their own postseason. Fox already is creating a counter to the NIT.”
“The NCAA has to be proactive,” the source said. “Expansion — modest expansion — may be the only way to keep the tournament we all know and love alive.”
Source - Dana O’Neil at The Athletic
I’m not sure that I believe that - but anything is possible.
Given how unpopular the idea of expansion seems to be, I guess the whisper that it could go away all together may be what it takes to rally some support.
“It no doubt will still be a bitter pill to swallow for traditionalists, but it may be the only realistic way to keep the tournament alive. Project Division I, NCAA president Charlie Baker’s new charge to reconsider the very framework of college athletics, includes several radical proposals, including the creation of a new FBS subdivision. College basketball administrators fear that, if the tourney is left untouched, it will inspire power conference schools to at least consider their own postseason. Fox already is creating a counter to the NIT.”
“The NCAA has to be proactive,” the source said. “Expansion — modest expansion — may be the only way to keep the tournament we all know and love alive.”
Source - Dana O’Neil at The Athletic