NCAA Tournament 2011: Why 68 Teams May No Longer Be Enough

When the NCAA decided to expand the men's basketball tournament pool to 68 teams, no one could have predicted this.

Except maybe VCU.

For the first year ever, the organization allowed 68 teams instead of the usual 65 to compete in March Madness. And for the first time ever, one of those “filler” teams is vying for the crown this weekend in Houston.

After the 2010 tournament, rumblings of expanding the tournament pool were broached. At first, people proposed a 128-team competition. Ridiculous, they were told. Outlandish.

Then came 96 teams.

Though the idea was received somewhat better, fans still protested. “It would mar the reputation of the tournament,” some chastised. “You might as well let everyone in.”

Finally, on April 22, 2010 a decision was made. The magic number? 68. 

Fans were satisfied. After all, what’s four more games? No one cared. After all, it wouldn’t affect the coveted importance of the tournament. No. 1 seeds would still play in the Final Four, right?

Wrong.

In the Southwest Conference, a No. 11 seed named Virginia Commonwealth played No. 11 USC.

VCU won. Again. And again. And again. And again.

Five games later, Shaka Smart will lead his team to their first ever Final Four. This Cinderella story now has people wondering: Is 68 teams enough?

If the NCAA had stuck with 65 teams, we would have never seen the possibly best college basketball team in the country. Though most fans still believe that expanding the competitive pool will still be too many teams, one has to ponder the benefits. Perhaps there are basketball teams that are just waiting to set the world on fire. If so, they should deserve a chance.

VCU got its chance, and look what happened.

96 teams. Who’s ready to dance their way to the Final Four in 2012?