As Kentucky coach John Calipari prepares for his first round NCAA Tournament game this week against 14th-seeded Oakland, he wants to make one thing crystal clear — the winningest active coach in March Madness history is not in favor of postseason expansion. There’s been recent discussions of expanding the NCAA Tournament to no more than 80 teams from its current field of 68, per ESPN’s Pete Thamel, which has caused a landslide of opinions before tipoff this week.
“I hope it stays where it is,” Calipari said in an interview with ESPN on Wednesday. “You know, I know people get mad. They get mad at the committee. You won’t believe this. I’ve been mad at that committee a few times. But you may be mad because of your seed or where they’ve shipped you to. … But it doesn’t matter who the committee is. We’re all going to be upset.”
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Calipari says the current multi-round format of the NCAA Tournament that’s been around for years is ideal.
“This is a business trip for me,” Calipari said. “And I’ll say everybody that’s in this thing, I would say they’d say the same thing — keep it where it is. Don’t mess with something that’s great.”
Michigan State coach Tom Izzo argues March Madness expansion due to the current auto-bid dilemma that, he says, potentially dilutes the product. SEC commissioner Greg Sankey is in favor of NCAA Tournament expansion because the current number of 68 teams often keeps worthy squads out of March Madness when bid-stealing chaos happens during conference tournament week.
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Izzo stopped short of saying no to auto-bids entirely.
“I’m a Division II guy, you know, so I’m always looking for the little guys. I’m not very big myself, so I always have an appreciation, and maybe that would be a reason to expand,” Izzo said. “I just think what’s happening now, everybody likes the upsets in the first weekend, but I’m not sure moving on that’s what’s best for the game. I think it’s got to be looked at seriously.”
St. John’s coach Rick Pitino criticized the selection process this week after his team missed the field despite a 20-14 record and top-5 finish in the Big East and said recently retired Hall of Fame coaches Roy Williams, Mike Krzyzewski and Jim Boeheim can help fix the system.
“Have a great suggestion for Dan Gavitt, who is absolutely the best,” Pitino posted to social media Tuesday. “I know three guys who are watching games all year and would be a great addition. They won’t just look at certain metrics. Jim Boeheim, Roy Williams and Coach K. They need to be part of selection Sunday!!!”
St. John’s was included as one of 247Sports’ top eight teams to miss the NCAA Tournament this season. The Red Storm won six-straight contests before giving top-seeded UConn all it could handle in a loss in the Big East Tournament semifinals. A prolonged midseason slump and 4-10 record against Quad 1 opponents ultimately kept Pitino and Co. out of the field.
