Colin Cowherd torches NCAA Tournament expansion: ‘You’re not making it bigger, you’re making it feel smaller’
Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images The NCAA Tournament’s expansion from 68 to 76 teams is not a popular idea across most of the sports universe. Add Colin Cowherd to the list of those opposed. The Fox Sports host is one of the more prominent voices to come out against the proposed expansion, which ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported could be made official as early as next week.
Cowherd posted a video on social media Sunday making his case, and he was careful to note that he’s not someone who reflexively hates change, since he’s on the record supporting the MLB pitch clock, the NFL extra-point adjustment, and the NBA play-in tournament. But he thinks March Madness is “one of the few things in sports that feels right” and that expanding it is a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist. “God, do I hate the idea of the NCAA Tournament expanding to 76 teams,” Cowherd said.
“Who wants Mastro’s to add McNuggets to the menu? We come for the steak, not the sweet-and-sour sauce. ” Sunday thoughts on NCAA tournament expansion pic.
twitter. com/IDOSNTOW2o — Colin Cowherd (@colincowherd) May 3, 2026 “College basketball finally has its footing again,” he continued. “Stars, teams, brands, meaning.
And now you’re backpedaling. Adding more games isn’t a bonus; it’s dilution. It’s subtraction by addition.