March Madness Set for Major Overhaul with 76-Team Expansion
The NCAA is reportedly in the final stages of expanding the men's and women's basketball tournaments from 68 to 76 teams, with a potential start date of the 2026-27 season. A formal announcement on the biggest change to March Madness in over a decade could come as early as mid-May. The move follows extensive discussions with media partners and years of advocacy from commissioners of major conferences, including the SEC, who have argued for more inclusion of competitive programs from larger leagues.
Under the proposed 76-team format, the most significant change would be a dramatic expansion of the opening round. The current "First Four," which features four play-in games, would grow to a 12-game event with 24 teams competing across Tuesday and Wednesday. The 12 winners would then advance to the traditional 64-team bracket, which would begin on Thursday. This new structure would add eight at-large bids to the field, a move that is expected to primarily benefit Power Four conferences.
The expansion is driven by a desire for more access for major conference teams and is seen as a way to increase the value of the tournament's media rights. While the final media contracts have not been signed, all parties are reportedly in agreement on the terms. Once the contracts are finalized, the proposal will require formal approval from several NCAA committees to be officially adopted.
QUICK HITS
- Kentucky Basketball Roster Watch: The Kentucky Wildcats are actively shaping their future roster. Center Malachi Moreno, who is testing the NBA draft waters, was projected as the 43rd pick in a recent 2026 NBA Mock Draft. While he is still widely expected to return for his sophomore season, the second-round projection adds an interesting layer to his decision. Simultaneously, the coaching staff is looking internationally for frontcourt depth, with reports of a visit to Israel to meet with 6-foot-8 Brazilian center Marcio Santos, who plays professionally for Maccabi Tel Aviv. Santos' current coach has wished him "the best of luck," suggesting a move to Lexington could be progressing.
- No. 1 Oklahoma at No. 12 Texas A&M: The biggest series of the final weekend of the regular season kicks off in College Station as the No. 12 Texas A&M Aggies host the top-ranked Oklahoma Sooners. This premier matchup carries significant weight for SEC tournament seeding and national positioning heading into the postseason.
- SEC Softball Regular Season Wraps Up: It's a packed slate across the conference as the regular season concludes. The No. 6/8 Florida Gators travel to face the No. 17/14 Georgia Bulldogs in Athens. Elsewhere, Ole Miss hosts No. 16 Mississippi State for a crucial in-state rivalry series, and Missouri welcomes No. 8/9 Tennessee.
- Florida Trio Named Player of the Year Finalists: Three Florida Gators—Jocelyn Erickson, Keagan Rothrock, and Skylar Wallace (as Reagan Shumaker is not on the team)—were named to the Top 25 Finalist list for the 2026 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award. The Gators' three selections were the second-most of any program in the nation, highlighting the top-tier talent in Gainesville.
PORTAL WATCH
There has been no new transfer portal activity reported for SEC programs in the last 12 hours.
RECRUITING BUZZ
There have been no new commitments for SEC programs reported in the last 12 hours.