The size of the NCAA tournament:
1939 to 1950: 8 teams
1951 to 1975: 16 teams
1976 to 1978: 32 teams
1979 only: 40 teams
1980 to 1982: 48 teams
1983 to 1984: 53 teams
1985 to 2000: 64 teams
2001 to 2010: 65 teams
2011 to today: 68 teams
In the 84-year history of the NCAA tournament, it has only been 64 teams for 16 years. Less than 20% of the time.
There's nothing inherently special or sacred about the number 64.
- in 1979.... 24 byes and 16 "play in" teams.
- in 1980 thru 1982.... 16 byes and 32 "play in" teams.
- in 1983 and 1984.... 11 byes and 42 "play in" teams.
- in 2001 thru 2010 .... 63 byes and 2 "play in" teams.
- since 2011.... 60 byes and 8 "play in" teams.
That's 28 years in which some sort of "play in" (or more accurately, "bye" system) was in place.
The size of the tournament has increased to accomodate the fact that the number of Division 1 schools has steadily increased. We now have 363 Division 1 schools. Less than 20% get to play in the tournament every year.
And prepare yourself. Because it is going to expand again. There is a push to go to 72.... with 56 "byes" and 16 teams playing in the first round to get down to 64. Some are advocating 96.... with 32 "byes" and 64 teams playing to be the 9-thru-16 seeds.
Bottom line: The size of the current NCAA Tournament is 68 teams. Not 64.
If a school is in the field of 68, they get a tournament share. Doesn't matter if they are one of the 60 that get a bye or one of the 8 that don't (like Pitt).
Each game they win gets another tournament share. If Pitt beats MSST on Tuesday - Pitt will get a total of two tournament shares (more specifically, the ACC will to share among all conference members).
1939 to 1950: 8 teams
1951 to 1975: 16 teams
1976 to 1978: 32 teams
1979 only: 40 teams
1980 to 1982: 48 teams
1983 to 1984: 53 teams
1985 to 2000: 64 teams
2001 to 2010: 65 teams
2011 to today: 68 teams
In the 84-year history of the NCAA tournament, it has only been 64 teams for 16 years. Less than 20% of the time.
There's nothing inherently special or sacred about the number 64.
- in 1979.... 24 byes and 16 "play in" teams.
- in 1980 thru 1982.... 16 byes and 32 "play in" teams.
- in 1983 and 1984.... 11 byes and 42 "play in" teams.
- in 2001 thru 2010 .... 63 byes and 2 "play in" teams.
- since 2011.... 60 byes and 8 "play in" teams.
That's 28 years in which some sort of "play in" (or more accurately, "bye" system) was in place.
The size of the tournament has increased to accomodate the fact that the number of Division 1 schools has steadily increased. We now have 363 Division 1 schools. Less than 20% get to play in the tournament every year.
And prepare yourself. Because it is going to expand again. There is a push to go to 72.... with 56 "byes" and 16 teams playing in the first round to get down to 64. Some are advocating 96.... with 32 "byes" and 64 teams playing to be the 9-thru-16 seeds.
Bottom line: The size of the current NCAA Tournament is 68 teams. Not 64.
If a school is in the field of 68, they get a tournament share. Doesn't matter if they are one of the 60 that get a bye or one of the 8 that don't (like Pitt).
Each game they win gets another tournament share. If Pitt beats MSST on Tuesday - Pitt will get a total of two tournament shares (more specifically, the ACC will to share among all conference members).
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