Rick Pitino endorses NCAA Tournament expansion

The potential expansion of the NCAA Tournament from 68 to 76 has become a hot button issue in the college basketball world, and Rick Pitino is endorsing the idea.

During an appearance on Barstool Sports’ Pardon My Take, Pitino explained why he believes adding a few more teams to the chaos of March Madness would be a great idea. Pitino thinks it would lead to more television exposure as basketball tries to compete with football, among other things.

“I am, because I don’t think it hurts it. I don’t think it hurts it,” Pitino stated, regarding whether he’s for or against NCAA Tournament expansion. “I think it — getting more teams is exciting. It’s the one thing — So when I was your age, back in the day, starting out as a head coach. Back then, college basketball and college football were on the same level. The NBA and the NFL were on the same level. Like, 30, 40 years ago. Today, a bad college football game — Ohio U playing somebody on a Saturday, will out-draw an NBA playoff game.

“Now, is that gambling? Is football just marketed so much? I don’t know. But the one thing we do have is March Madness. So, anything to make it better — if it’s not broken, break it and make it better. And I don’t think it hurts anything to have more TV exposure.”

While Pitino is for the change, there’s people on both sides of the fence when it comes to NCAA Tournament expansion. Some believe it would cheapen March Madness a bit to allow fringe teams into the dance, while others think it would only help college basketball’s top product improve.

Regardless, ESPN’s Pete Thamel has stressed that nothing is finalized, as negotiations are still ongoing between the NCAA and their media partners. However, 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.”

Alas, 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, as coaches and programs want to know the sport’s postseason landscape well before putting together next season’s roster.

Time will tell what the future of the NCAA Tournament is, but expansion seems to be on the way. All coaches won’t like it, but Rick Pitino is certainly a fan, as he has St. John’s humming at the moment and looking to compete for a title this season.