The Ohio State basketball program has missed out on the NCAA Tournament in each of the last two years. Neither time was because they were on the bubble. Both times, it was because they simply didn't deserve to make it, although they put on a good run once Jake Diebler was hired last year. They look like they will have a lot better of a chance this year.
There has been renewed talk about a possible NCAA Tournament expansion in 2028. The NCAA is talking about expanding the field to 76 teams from the current 68. If that had been in effect, the Buckeyes would have made it last year. Still, expansion isn't good for them.
Even if the Buckeyes would have gotten in with expansion, it's still bad for them. That's because expansion is bad for college basketball at large. Expanding the field would dilute the Tournament even more than it already is with adding four more teams 14 years ago.
Expanding the NCAA Tournament would be bad for the Ohio State basketball program
ESPN's Pete Thamel stressed on College GameDay on Saturday morning that nothing is imminent. There are still significant hurdles that would need to be cleared in order to get this done.
Here’s our @CollegeGameDay report on *potential* NCAA tournament expansion for the 2026 season. If the tournament is to expand – and it remains an IF – the "more likely option" is to 76 teams, per multiple-high ranking sources. pic.twitter.com/Xzo7TDr1lu
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) February 15, 2025
Expansion isn't always better. Even though expansion clearly worked in the College Football Playoff, that's much different than the NCAA Tournament. Having too many teams makes the competition much worse and reduces the chances that there will be upsets, which is the charm of the NCAA Tournament.
The Buckeyes would make more money in this scenario because it would be easier for them to make the NCAA Tournament. More money shouldn't always be the answer, although it seems to be around college athletics these days. Money always seems to win over what's best for college sports.
As Thamel notes, nothing is going to happen until at least the offseason. I do think the field will eventually expand, but I'm hoping they stave it off for as long as possible. It is perfectly fine the way that it is right now.