Overview
- Charlie Baker reiterated his preference to enlarge the men's and women's NCAA basketball tournaments but declined to say if it will happen in 2027.
- NCAA basketball committees are still evaluating 72- or 76-team formats for 2027 after ruling out any change for 2026, per Dan Gavitt.
- Baker cited student-athlete feedback and the 2024 exclusions of Indiana State and Seton Hall as reasons to add more bids.
- He said funding an expanded event is not a concern, while logistics around conference tournaments and the Masters remain the main constraint.
- CBS Sports reported that the 32 automatic bids would be preserved and that a 2027 decision could come in the coming weeks, as online reaction trended negative in fan responses compiled by Larry Brown Sports.