Podcast Summary: Eye On College Basketball – NCAA Tournament STAYING at 68

Episode Title: NCAA Tournament STAYING at 68 — at least for now. Reax and next steps. Plus: post-vacation catch-up and summer movie recs!

Release Date: August 4, 2025

Hosts: Gary Parrish and Matt Norlander

1. Introduction

In this episode of Eye On College Basketball, Gary Parrish and Matt Norlander delve into the recent announcement regarding the NCAA Tournament's structure. They discuss the implications of the tournament maintaining its current 68-team format for the 2025-26 season, explore reactions within the college basketball community, and analyze potential future changes. Additionally, the hosts touch upon their recent vacations and share light-hearted summer movie recommendations.

2. NCAA Tournament Remains at 68 Teams

Gary Parish opens the discussion by addressing the official confirmation that the NCAA Tournament will not expand beyond 68 teams for the upcoming season. He references a statement from NCAA Senior VP Dan Gavitt, highlighting that while expansion remains a topic for future consideration, the immediate decision keeps the tournament size steady.

"What we hope would be true is now official. The NCAA Tournament will not expand beyond 68 teams, at least as it pertains to the 2025-26 season." [01:14]

Matt Norlander expresses his relief and frustration over the delayed decision-making process. He outlines the timeline, noting the various hopeful moments and subsequent delays that kept the possibility of expansion in limbo for over three years.

"If you want, bring up the quote tweets. I put out this story shortly before the official announcement went out... We get the tournament as it should be." [04:50]

3. Reactions and Analysis

Matt Norlander shares his disappointment that the possibility of expansion was reduced to a mere one-year extension of the current format. He criticizes the selection committee's decision as a compromise rather than a definitive stance against expansion.

"It's a win. I am unsettled by just the fact that this is what they have reduced me to." [04:50]

Gary Parrish counters by expressing skepticism about the necessity of expanding the tournament. He draws parallels with other sports, arguing that expansion has not detrimentally affected their respective tournaments.

"Expansion has not killed anything that we care about. I don't think it's necessary. I don't think it's good for the sport." [05:24]

Notable Quotes:

• Gary Parrish: "If you put it up to vote, I would vote against it. It is also not the thing that I think is going to, quote, kill the sport or ruin the expanded." [05:30]

• Matt Norlander: "I've been told that it's either 76 or 68, and now that they've decided to stay at 68 for 2026, they'll step away and figure out what they're going to do moving forward." [06:00]

4. Comparison with Other Sports

The hosts compare the NCAA Tournament's expansion debates with the playoff structures of other major sports like the NFL, NBA, and MLB. They discuss how expansion has influenced the regular seasons and postseason excitement in these leagues.

"I think people still watch the World Cup. I love Major League Baseball playoffs. The NBA playoffs, yeah, they last forever, but it's something." [05:58]

Matt Norlander brings up the NBA playoffs, critiquing the length and the lack of necessity for seven-game series in the first round.

"No one wants a seven-game first-round NBA series. Like, they don't need that. All of this is because of money." [05:58]

Gary Parrish acknowledges the differences but maintains that the NCAA should avoid unnecessary expansion, emphasizing the importance of maintaining tournament quality and urgency.

"If what you're trying to do is wildly unpopular with people who follow your sport and it's also not obviously going to make you a lot of money... the only sensible thing to do is punt this down the road." [09:09]

5. Governance Structure and Future Implications

Matt Norlander highlights upcoming decisions within the NCAA's governance structure, specifically the potential shift towards a model that grants the Power 4 conferences greater influence. He suggests that this power consolidation could pave the way for future tournament expansions.

"The Division 1 board of directors meets tomorrow... This allows them to truly take over college athletics at a level which has never been had before and really will and could have profound effects." [11:54]

Gary Parrish agrees, noting that the current decision not to expand is a temporary victory. He underscores the likelihood of future expansion attempts as governance structures evolve.

"Every year that we put it off is a good year. So I'll take this as a victory, small as it is." [09:52]

6. Conclusion

The episode wraps up with the hosts reflecting on the significance of the NCAA Tournament's current format and the broader implications for college basketball. They emphasize the need for maintaining a balance that preserves the tournament's excitement and competitiveness without diluting its prestige.

Notable Quotes Overview:

• Gary Parrish: "We think 64 is perfect, and 68 is closer to 64 than 72 or 76. We're just trying to stay as close to 64 as we can." [20:46]

• Matt Norlander: "If there is a situation in which expansion would lead to a dilution in NCAA tournament units and or would actually be a losing financial proposition for the NCAA, then he would not endorse expanding the tournament at the financial expense of that." [23:09]

Additional Content: Vacations and Movie Recommendations

Beyond the main discussion, Gary and Matt share anecdotes from their recent vacations, including trips to Ocean City, New Jersey, and their experiences at water parks and beaches. They also offer casual reviews of summer movies, reflecting on titles like Happy Gilmore, The Accountant 2, and Sinners, providing a personal touch to the episode.

Conclusion:

This episode provides an in-depth analysis of the NCAA Tournament's decision to maintain a 68-team format, exploring both immediate reactions and future implications. Gary Parrish and Matt Norlander offer thoughtful commentary, balancing factual reporting with personal insights, making it a valuable listen for college basketball enthusiasts seeking a comprehensive understanding of the tournament's evolving landscape.