As expected, whether college basketball fans wanted it or not, the NCAA Tournament is getting better (and not so sure about better). It should, though, at least be a massive benefit for Porter Moser's Oklahoma men's basketball program that has been on the outside looking in time and time again, including the most recent Selection Sunday.
CBS Sports' Matt Norlander broke the news on Thursday that the NCAA Division I men's and women's basketball committees officially voted to expanded both national tournaments from 68 to 76 teams starting next year. The NCAA Tournament was last inflated to 68 teams in 2011, when the "First Four" play-in games were also created, which takes on a whole new life now.
NCAA Tournament expansion means more March Madness for Porter Moser's Sooners
With this new format that includes eight more unnecessary teams, the "First Four" with four play-in games in Dayton, Ohio, ahead of the actual tournament is no more. Instead, there will be 24 teams competing in a 12-team "opening round" that will essentially serve as what fans will likely consider a play-in to compete in the 64-team bracket that we're all used to and seems to actually matter.
A look at the new bracket 👀 pic.twitter.com/esm18WdUSJ
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) May 7, 2026
Although this NCAA Tournament expansion happened against the will of most college basketball fans, it should at least make Selection Sunday easier on OU fans.
In five years under Moser, the Sooners have been one of the first four teams to miss the 68-team field three times. Twice, OU was the very first team left out, including this past season.
Read more: Joe Lunardi is already handing the same cruel fate to Oklahoma basketball fans
With those three near-misses, the Sooners have went dancing only once under Moser in 2025 thanks to a late winning streak as future first-round NBA Draft pick Jeremiah Fears led the charge. With this new model, theoretically, the Sooners would have made the NCAA Tournament all but one season under Moser. And it probably wouldn't have even been much of a worry for OU teams leading up to Selection Sunday.
Expectations will certainly have to be adjusted at Oklahoma, as just making this participation tournament should no longer be the standard, but like it has become for the women's program, the Sooners competing in the NCAA Tournament should now be an annual event OU fans have to look forward to instead of stress about.
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