Dan Gavitt – NCAA needs to be ‘forward-looking’ on tournament expansion

WEST LAFAYETTE, Indiana — Dan Gavitt, the NCAA’s vice president of men’s basketball, expressed that while postseason expansion is not necessarily inevitable, the event’s officials have to consider the impact of the rapidly evolving climate in collegiate sports.

The Division I men’s basketball committee is currently evaluating recommendations that could potentially expand the NCAA tournament to up to 90 teams, but Gavitt emphasized that there are no guarantees. He stressed the need for the event to remain “contemporary.”

According to Gavitt, the committee is thoroughly considering every perspective and angle to ensure the tournament’s ongoing specialness while adapting to changes in collegiate sports, such as conference realignment and other impactful shifts.

The NCAA recently announced changes to the NIT, eliciting criticism from mid-major coaches and commissioners. However, Gavitt defended the changes, citing the event’s competition and the necessity of adaptation.

Despite concerns from mid-major power brokers, Gavitt expressed that the committee is not worried about attempts to shift the NCAA tournament in their favor or create a separate event.

The Gavitt Games, honoring the first Big East commissioner Dave Gavitt, may see its final installment this year, as reports suggest. Gavitt emphasized the importance of hosting meaningful games in November and preserving traditions in college basketball.