[NU Sports] NCAA Poised to Expand to Field of 96; NIT Slated for Extinction

[Eric West]

As far as I can determine, the main point of 96 would be to help the 
BCS-conference teams that are currently left out of the current 65-team 
format.

I'm not saying I agree; I always marvel each selection Sunday when 
commentators whine about those poor BCS teams not getting a "chance" 
after having finished sixth or seventh in their conference, even 
begrudging the few non-BCS schools who receive at-large bids (getting 
fewer by the year).

I view it as a cousin of the mentality that gives us 34 bowl games in 
football. When it gets to that stage, money is far less relevant; the 
main point is that no qualifying (i.e., .500 or above) BCS school be 
turned away. After all, think of those poor kids who work so hard, blah 
blah blah...

Eric West
e-west at northwestern.edu


Tom Maycock wrote:
> 96? Why????
>
> I've always thought 64 was way too many to begin with. A good portion of the 64 teams already have essentially no chance whatsoever of winning the tournament, and no #1 team should have to waste time playing a #16 seed. 
> So what's the point of expanding to 96?
> OK, I know, the "point" is making money, but sheesh. 
> Why not just cancel the whole season and just play the tournament?
>
> Tom
>