Rick Pitino provides rare endorsement for expanded NCAA tournament

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The resounding reaction to the NCAA's decision to expand the men's and women's NCAA tournament to 76 teams has not been the most positive. Coaches and analysts have jumped on the idea that power schools will be the only ones who benefit from this development, and that smaller mid-majors will be left out of the big dance.

While the NCAA deals with the flood of criticism, St. John's coach Rick Pitino sees it differently. He appears to think that the NCAA made the right move by expanding March Madness.

The 73-year-old took to social media to share his opinion on the polarizing news.


When I hear people are upset the NCAA expanded to 76 teams, I think “why and who cares?”. The best teams advance and more teams get to experience the greatest tournament on earth.

— Rick Pitino (@RealPitino) May 11, 2026


Pitino appears to be in the "more of a good thing can be a great thing" camp, rather than the alternative. Time will tell as to whether Pitino or NCAA tournament expansion detractors are correct.

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This article originally appeared on College Sports Wire: Rick Pitino says March Madness expansion not a problem


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