Steven Pearl on NCAA tournament expansion: ‘I don’t love it’

Auburn basketball coach Steven Pearl is officially speaking out against the upcoming changes to the NCAA tournament field. During a Wednesday appearance in Huntsville, Pearl did not mince words regarding the move to expand, stating plainly, “I don’t love it.”

The New Landscape

As of May 5, committees have officially approved a expansion for NCAA Division I men’s and women’s basketball tournaments from 68 to 76 teams. This change, which takes effect next season, replaces the traditional eight-team First Four with 12 opening-round games involving 24 teams. Once those games conclude, the field will stabilize at 64 teams.

Pearl’s Vision for Expansion

Pearl, who guided Auburn to a National Invitation Tournament title last season after narrowly missing the NCAA tournament, admits he preferred the previous format. However, he is hopeful that the selection committee uses this expansion to foster more Cinderella runs. He specifically noted that teams like Nevada, Tulsa, and New Mexico—programs Auburn faced or competed against in the NIT—deserve more pathways to the big stage.

“If you win 26 games, like Tulsa did going into the postseason, you should have an opportunity to make that tournament,” Pearl said. He added that while expansion could allow deserving mid-major teams a chance, he fears it will also create space for high-major programs that might not have earned an invite under the previous, more exclusive model.

Reflecting on a Championship Run

Auburn’s path to the NIT championship last season included victories over South Alabama, Seattle, and Illinois State, culminating in a 92-86 win against Tulsa. Reflecting on his own team's 22-16 finish, Pearl acknowledged that public perception of teams at the bottom of the bracket can be complicated.

“You’re also going to be having some teams like us last year that are going to get the tournament that people may not feel earned the right to get in,” Pearl said. “Even though when you play the schedule, you realize how difficult it is to win the amount of games that we were able to. At the end of the day, as long as they split up, I think it makes sense, but I like the old format better.”

Regular Season Stakes

Beyond the selection process, Pearl expressed concern that the expanded field could diminish the intensity of the regular season. He noted that while there will always be something to play for, the increase in tournament bids effectively weakens the bubble.

“I think it may take some of the value of the regular season out,” Pearl explained. “But I say that, and we’ll be in March and I promise you there’s going to be teams on the bubble that you’re going to be like, ‘They’re pretty good.’”

Ultimately, Pearl maintains that the sport reached its peak with the 68-team structure, noting, “I think where they had it at 68 was a really good number.”