SouthernWorldwide.com – ESPN college basketball broadcaster Jay Bilas has expressed his opinion that the NCAA’s decision to expand the men’s and women’s college basketball tournaments to 76 teams was an unnecessary move.
Bilas, 62, stated that while he remains indifferent to the NCAA’s expansion decision, there was no public demand or significant clamor for such a change.
“Nobody was clamoring to see a .500 team from a major conference making the tournament.”
He pointed out that if the tournament had been expanded for the most recent season, teams with a .500 record would have qualified.
The newly expanded tournament format would significantly alter the initial two days. On the Tuesday and Wednesday preceding the main bracket, 12 games would be played involving 24 teams, a result of the addition of eight at-large bids. These games would be hosted at two separate venues.
Bilas suggested that this expansion might lead to a “little bit confusing” experience for the average fan attempting to complete their bracket. He characterized the additional play-in games as “inconsequential.”
“The overwhelming majority of fans don’t think the tournament starts until the first Thursday of the 64-team bracket,” Bilas commented.
“People still watch the games and especially the basketball nerds like me will watch religiously, but for most fans, they’re kind of — I don’t want to say inconsequential, but they are.”
However, Bilas did acknowledge that teams emerging victorious from the play-in games would receive financial recognition for their wins.
“What it does is give a bunch of teams a chance to win an NCAA tournament game. Even though most fans won’t give them credit for it, they’ll get money credit. They’ll get an NCAA tournament unit and be able to say, ‘Hey, we won an NCAA tournament game, even though it was against a team with the exact same seed,’” Bilas explained.
“It’s fine. I don’t think it’s as big a deal as some are making out of it,” Bilas continued. “Money is a good reason to do something. I’m cool with that.”
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UConn head coach Danny Hurley was among the coaches who had voiced concerns that tournament expansion could devalue the regular season. Bilas stated that he understands Hurley’s perspective and concurs with it.
“I understand it, and I think it does a little bit. So, the argument about who’s in, who’s out is diminished. Now, if we’re going to have .500 teams out of major conferences that make the tournament now, do I think that’s good? No, I don’t,” Bilas stated.
“But it’s not that big of a deal. Most of those teams are going to be out by the first weekend anyway. You may have somebody that puts it together at the end of the year and is better than their record, but I think that horse is already out of the barn.”
Bilas is scheduled to participate in the American Century Tournament from July 10-12 at Edgewood Golf Course in Lake Tahoe.
This tournament has successfully raised over $8 million for various regional and national charitable causes. American Century Investments contributes 40% of its profits to the Stowers Institute for Medical Research and actively engages in fundraising at the tournament to drive direct donations to Stowers annually.
Bilas recalled being invited to the tournament six or seven years ago and described the invitation as being comparable to a PGA Tour player receiving an invitation to the Masters.
“When I got invited six, seven years ago and I was thrilled. I just couldn’t believe I would get to do it. And they’ve been they must have a very low bar, but they’ve invited me back ever since. And to me, getting that invitation has got to be the equivalent of a PGA tour player getting invited to the Masters. So, you get the invitation, you’re like, ‘Oh, my God, I can’t believe they invited me back again.’ And it’s an automatic yes,” Bilas shared.
“It’s just a thrill. And it’s equally thrilling once you’re there cause it’s a beautiful setting in Lake Tahoe at the Edgewood Resort. The weather’s always spectacular. Seventy thousand people are there in shorts and sundresses and just enjoying seeing some of their favorite celebs.”
Bilas expressed his enjoyment of competing in the tournament but highlighted the atmosphere as the element that makes it particularly special. He credited CEO Justin Thomas for his welcoming approach and for fostering a beloved family environment, in addition to the tournament’s significant charitable endeavors. The tournament is slated to be broadcast on NBC and Peacock.
