This Just Proves How Ridiculous a 96-Team Field Would Be

Let me start off by saying that I began writing this post by attempting to form a 96-team NCAA Tournament. If you haven't heard by now, the NCAA is toying with expanding the tournament to 96 teams. That's a horrible idea in so many ways.

(I'm open to 68 teams and having eight of the smaller schools play four "play-in games" on the Tuesday before the tournament).

If you want to, attempt to build a 96-team bracket. It sounds easy but it is actually really hard. Sure, the Virginia Techs, Illinoises and Mississippi States are easy to pluck. But when you are trying to field the seeds in the 20s, then it gets ridiculous.

After all, who gets in? Is in the 10th place Big Ten team? Or is it the third place WCC team? And you think that people are whining now about their bubbles bursting! It will be even worse when you are sorting through a bunch of mediocre teams.

If you strictly look at the RPI as a guide to who should be let in, just know that teams like Penn State, Nebraska and South Carolina are in the top 96. Texas Tech is in the top 80. St. John's would probably get in. It's insane.

There is only one good reason for expansion: Money. 31 more teams means 15 more games. 15 more games means opportunities to sell ad space. Other than that, it sucks.

MEDIOCRITY: It will turn the NCAA Tournament into the Bowl Season. Meaning that for every great bowl game we get, we also have to deal with a bunch of 6-6 teams battling over scraps. Again, try to build a 96-team bracket and you'll see what I mean. If you don't want to do that, check out one from the Washington Post and you'll get it.

By the way, Charlotte ... who just fired their coach after a late season collapse ... makes the WaPo's tournament.

Even if you cheat and just add the 32 teams in the NIT, you'll still end up with quite a list of also-rans. Does North Carolina deserve to get into this NCAA Tournament. No. Yet they'd be a cinch in a 96-team field.

COACHING SECURITY: Coaches like the idea because it helps build their resume and gives them some more job security. Give me a break! Just because you squeak into the tournament as a No. 19 seed won't necessarily save your gig. Ask those college football coaches who get canned because they get to go to the GMAC Bowl or something.

THE MORE THE MERRIER: I don't agree with this ... totally. Look, I get that these opening round games (the top 32 teams in the tournament get a first round bye) are opportunities for the smaller schools and conferences to get an official NCAA Tournament win. It actually is a big deal even now with the one play-in game. But will anyone even care? Seriously, none of these opening round games would be interesting to watch.