In a well-known metaphor dating back to 1879, the phrase ‘there’s light at the end of the tunnel’ is often used to describe the end of disappointing times. Unashamedly, repeating its usage today, the same can be said as March’s arrival has brought with it increasing daylight, signs of approaching spring, the beginning of the local spring sports season, and the end of the month opening of the Major League Baseball campaign.
It also brought last week’s crowning of state high school wrestling champions, featuring a bevy of area boys’ and girls’ grapplers competing in Chocolate Town. The high school basketball playoffs are headed to a conclusion at the same Hershey Park venue next weekend.
At press time, the wrestlers who would win PIAA state medals and the basketball teams that would advance to the state quarterfinals had not been determined, but the area was well represented.
In boys’ basketball, Sullivan County (A), Warrior Run (AAA), and Lewisburg (AAAA) won District IV championships. Muncy (AA), Southern Columbia (AAA), and Montoursville (AAAA) won silver district medals. Also qualifying for the state tournament were Mifflinburg (AAA), Mt. Carmel (AAAA), and Selinsgrove (AAAAA).
On the girls’ side, Muncy (AA), Hughesville (AAA), and Central Columbia (AAAA) were gold medal winners. Benton (A), Southern Columbia (AA), Loyalsock (AAA), and Mifflinburg (AAAA) were the District IV runners-up. In AAA, Mt. Carmel also qualified for the state tournament.
Collegiately, the Madness of March begins this Sunday when the field of 68 teams for the men’s and women’s tournaments will be announced. The men’s Final Four will be played in Indianapolis, April 4-6. The women will determine their champion April 3-5 in Phoenix.
Regardless of which teams end up receiving invitations to the Dance, there will be the annual ‘gnashing of teeth’ emanating from those left standing on the sidelines. Just like with football’s 12-team tournament, there have been cries to expand the existing 68-team field, perhaps as early as 2027.
For 2026, the NCAA confirmed that both the men’s and women’s tournaments will remain at the current 68-team format. The selected tournament field includes automatic bids for 32 Division I conference champions and 36 at-large bids. The decision was reached following discussion and mounting pressure from various stakeholders, which included power conference leaders and coaches who see merit in expanding the tournament.
However, those pressures, including logistics, scheduling, travel, regional site capacity, and financial implications, have, at least, temporarily slowed expansion plans. However, Dan Gavitt, NCAA Senior Vice President, left the door for future expansion open, stating, “The committee will continue conversations on whether to recommend expanding to 72 or 76 teams in advance of the 2027 championships.”
NCAA President Charlie Baker added fuel to the fire, explaining, “Adding teams could add value to the tournament. We’ve had good conversations with TV partners CBS and Warner Brothers, whose deal runs through 2032 at the cost of around $1.1 billion a year.”
The NCAA Tournament expanded from 64 to 68 teams in 2011. This change introduced the ‘First Four’ round played in Dayton, Ohio. This round, a set of pre-tournament games comprised of the four lowest-seeded at-large teams and four lowest-seeded conference champions competing for spots in the traditional 64-team field.
“If you have a tournament that has 64 or 68 teams in it, you’re going to have a bunch of teams that are probably among what most people would consider to be the best 68 or 70 teams in the country that aren’t going to make the tournament, “Baker continued. “The point behind going from 68 to 72 or 76 is to basically give some of those schools that were probably among the 72, 76, 68, 64 best teams in the country a way into the tournament.”
While Baker may “probably” be correct in his assessment, regardless of how many teams are included in future expansion, there will continue to be gripes from those left out. I’ve never been one to believe that ‘bigger is better.’ However, more dollars seem to always be the coveted objective.
Men’s basketball coaches have expressed different opinions about an expanded bracket. Michigan State’s Tom Izzo, UConn’s Dan Hurley, and Alabama’s Nate Oats all favor the current 68-team field, with Texas coach Sean Miller favoring expansion.
“Never before has the tournament felt more even,” Miller said. “On any given night in a 40-minute game, it’s just amazing what can happen. I think adding depth will only make what’s already good even better.”
Kansas coach Bill Self, a two-time NCAA champion and Hall of Famer, expressed his belief that Big 12 coaches seem in favor of expansion.
“It’s close, but most would be in favor. I don’t know if you could make it where it was totally equitable all the way across the board for everybody.”
So, regardless of our view towards NCAA tournament expansion, enjoy the coming March Madness. But you can bet’ change is coming.
