Why Greg Sankey is Advocating for NCAA Tournament Expansion: A Closer Look at SEC Men’s Basketball Strength
SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey’s push to expand the NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments has sparked significant debate among college basketball enthusiasts. While many critics, including this author, remain skeptical of the need to grow the tournament field beyond its current 68 teams, the 2024-25 college basketball season has presented compelling evidence supporting Sankey’s viewpoint. The Southeastern Conference (SEC), once primarily known for its football dominance, is now reshaping the landscape of college basketball with unprecedented depth and strength.
SEC Men’s Basketball Dominance
The SEC’s performance this season highlights its ascendance in college hoops. In the SEC/ACC Challenge, the Southeastern Conference teams delivered a resounding message by winning 14 of the 16 matchups against Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) teams. This commanding display was not an anomaly; rather, it epitomized the SEC’s growing influence.
Through games played as of December 11, SEC teams had faced opponents from other power conferences or elite programs like Gonzaga 64 times, amassing an impressive 48-16 record. These victories reflect a broader trend: the SEC is emerging as a powerhouse in men’s basketball, with its programs thriving both on the court and in national rankings.
Rankings Showcase SEC Supremacy
The latest AP Top 25 poll showcases the SEC’s dominance, with three of its teams—Tennessee, Auburn, and Kentucky—claiming spots in the top five. Alabama and Florida round out the top 10, giving the SEC five teams in this elite group. Remarkably, nine SEC teams are included in the AP Top 25. The USA Today Coaches Poll, while slightly less enthusiastic, still places eight SEC teams in its Top 25 rankings.
Advanced metrics echo these sentiments. The NCAA NET Rankings position Auburn and Tennessee at No. 1 and No. 2, with five SEC teams in the top 10 and all 16 programs in the top 94. Similarly, KenPom rankings feature six SEC teams in the top 25, with Vanderbilt, the preseason pick to finish last in the SEC, ranking within the top 67.
From Underdogs to Contenders
Perhaps the most striking aspect of the SEC’s resurgence is the unexpected rise of teams predicted to finish near the bottom of the conference standings. Vanderbilt, pegged last in the SEC preseason poll, is 9-1 with a perfect 4-0 record against power-conference opponents. Oklahoma, expected to finish 15th, boasts a 9-0 record and ranks 13th in the AP poll. Missouri, initially slotted 13th, recently toppled then-No. 1 Kansas and now stands at 8-1.
These surprising performances underscore the SEC’s depth and competitiveness. Even historically overlooked programs are contributing to the conference’s stellar reputation this season, a development that has implications for NCAA Tournament selection.
Why Sankey Supports Expansion
Greg Sankey’s advocacy for expanding the NCAA Tournament is rooted in his role as a champion for the schools in his conference. The sheer number of high-caliber SEC teams means that many strong programs could find themselves on the bubble or excluded from the tournament due to the conference’s inevitable cannibalization during league play. Once the SEC teams face each other, some squads are bound to finish with mediocre records despite their evident quality.
Sankey’s push for expansion aligns with recommendations from the NCAA Division I Transformation Committee, which he co-chaired. The committee suggested that postseason participation should include up to 25% of teams in sports where over 200 programs compete. For men’s basketball, this would mean expanding the NCAA Tournament to at least 89 teams, and potentially 96, to ensure a functional bracket structure.
The Controversy Around Expansion
Critics argue that expanding the tournament would dilute the prestige of March Madness and further erode the significance of the regular season. College basketball’s regular season already struggles for attention in the shadow of college football, and a larger tournament could exacerbate this issue. Furthermore, skeptics contend that increasing the field could lower the overall quality of competition in the tournament.
The Bigger Picture
While the debate over expansion continues, the SEC’s remarkable success this season provides a compelling case for Sankey’s position. The conference’s dominance is forcing a reevaluation of how the NCAA Tournament accommodates teams from leagues with such extraordinary depth. Although expansion remains a contentious issue, the strength of SEC men’s basketball highlights the complexities of maintaining a balance between inclusivity and preserving the tournament’s integrity.
Ultimately, March Madness will remain the definitive test of the SEC’s 2024-25 basketball season. However, early results suggest that this is the deepest and most competitive SEC basketball landscape in history. For Sankey, ensuring that all deserving teams have a shot at the national title may be worth the changes—and the controversy—that NCAA Tournament expansion would entail.