Yay or nay? Michigan's Dusty May indifferent on NCAA Tournament expansion

However, that’s where the debate resides. Will the addition of eight teams lead to more mid-majors squeezing through an expanded bubble? Or will those at-large bids go to middle-of-the-pack power conference squads with lackluster resumes?

Regardless, the expanded tournament will alter who ends up in the opening-round games. The move to 76 will slot 52 teams into the main bracket and add eight spots to the play-in games. Instead of eight teams playing four games in what’s known as the First Four, there will be 24 teams playing 12 games before the Round of 64 in the new format.

While the idea of expansion has been bandied about for years, May has maintained a similar stance on the subject. He’ll leave the big-picture decisions to those in charge, and he’ll abide by whatever changes the NCAA makes.

“If our objective is to create the best tournament, then 64 seems perfectly symmetrical,” May said last July. “If we want to expand and we want to generate revenue and we want to grow the game and grow publicity — you see the NBA expanding in Europe and you see the NFL playing games in wherever. I do think that’s part of our responsibility as coaches, as athletes. Then the next group of coaches and players, this is better for them than it was for us.

“If our objective is to continue to generate more revenue, then I’m going to leave that up to people that do that for a living. But I’m here for it, whatever it is. I’m excited if the tournament stays. I’m excited if the tournament grows.”

The move to 76 teams would be the largest expansion for the men’s tournament since 1985, when the field grew from 53 teams to 64. In 2011, the men’s field grew to 68 and the First Four was created.

The women’s tournament went from 48 teams to 64 in 1994 and matched the 68-team size of the men’s event in 2022.

When it comes down to it, May simply wants what’s best for college basketball.

“I would have to think expansion and getting more quality programs into the Big Dance … people would schedule more aggressively, which is good for the game, and play more meaningful games,” May said at Big Ten media days in October.

“I’m also a very nostalgic person. I love the history of our game, so if it was at 64, I would think that’s great as well. I don’t have a strong opinion either way. But I know whatever we decide to do, I’m going to be a strong supporter of that way.”

jhawkins@detroitnews.com

@jamesbhawkins

This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Michigan coach Dusty May indifferent on NCAA Tournament expansion