What’s going on in the Big 12 and beyond? I expand and explain every Sunday in Postscripts at Heartland College Sports, your home for independent Big 12 coverage.
This week, we’re talking about NCAA Tournament expansion, BYU’s open job and the idea of a .500 basketball league.
EXPAND THE NCAA TOURNAMENT WHY?
Saturday was a great day in college basketball. The Big 12 had four close games. Utah exacted an upset of Kansas at home. Houston took control of the Big 12 and TCU might — MIGHT — be making a play for the bubble.
College Gameday was in Tuscaloosa, Ala., and if you’re confused because it’s February let me assure you their trip was justified. No. 1 Auburn faced No. 2 Alabama. I mean, you can’t argue with that, right?
While on site, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported on a story that has been on the mind of exactly no college basketball fans this season — NCAA Tournament expansion.
Apparently, we’re still on this. The powers-that-be continue to mull expansion of the tournament, perhaps to 76 teams, which would be an eight-team increase from the current 68. A decision could come in a few months and be implemented for 2026.
I mean, WHY?
March Madness has few flaws, if we’re being honest. One could quibble with how the First Four games are doled out. I’d like to see a little more variance in the first- and second-round sites. We don’t really need the Inside the NBA crew for these three weeks. But, outside of that, the NCAA Tournament is as close to perfect as we’re going to get.
So, obviously, let’s screw it up.
Our Joe Tillery compiled some of the social media reaction to the story and, well, none of them want it either. In fact, the fans in Tuscaloosa actually booed the report. I mean, crowds boo people, not news. That’s how little appetite there is for this in the college basketball fan base.
But, this isn’t about fans — this is about money. And there’s money to be made.
Add eight more teams and you get more games to broadcast. That means the NCAA can extract more money out of CBS/Turner for the tournament.
It’s also good for the Big 12, which is why commissioner Brett Yormark has expressed openness to the proposal.
Look at ESPN’s Bracketology right now. If it is a 78-team field, BYU goes from the bubble to being safely in. Kansas State would still be a bubble team, but the Wildcats would be in the field.
Teams like Cincinnati, Arizona State and even TCU get closer to the cut line in that scenario.
But I’m not sure Kansas State is worthy of an NCAA berth, at least not right now. Cincinnati, Arizona State and TCU are not worthy, and I don’t think the rest of the season will change that. And I don’t want unworthy teams in this tournament.
The NBA and NHL allow eight teams from each conference in the playoffs. Frankly, those sports would be better served to allow four or six. The eighth seed is rewarding mediocrity in those sports.
By adding eight more teams to the NCAA Tournament, you’re adding mediocre high-major teams into the tournament. March Madness has the right mix of automatic bids and at-large bids right now. It’s not broken. Don’t try to break it.
BYU’S NEW ATHLETIC DIRECTOR WILL BE …
Tom Holmoe’s retirement announcement earlier this week set off shock waves not just in the Big 12 but nationally. He served 20 years as athletic director and he shepherded the athletic program through being in the Mountain West, being an independent in football to finally getting membership in the Big 12.
He was with the Cougars for 25 years, the first five as an associate athletic director. His four Super Bowl rings from his playing and coaching days with the San Francisco 49ers brought him instant credibility with coaches and players alike.
This is not an insignificant resignation. He wasn’t just instrumental in getting BYU in the Big 12. He has been instrumental in building the Cougars into a budding national powerhouse, leaning into NIL to help lure in recruits and transfers and preparing for the new era of revenue-sharing.
This is a well-resourced athletic department with deep-pocketed donors who want to win and are willing to spend. As someone who’s been on campus several times, the facilities are already top drawer for the major sports.
This is a plum job. It’s also a unique job.
BYU tends to be insular when it comes to job searches. The school is owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. While BYU has, in the past, hired non-LDS members into coaching positions, the majority of its current coaches are affiliated with the church or played at BYU, or both.
New men’s basketball coach Kevin Young is a member of LDS. Women’s coach Amber Whiting played at BYU and is an LDS member. Same goes for football coach Kalani Sitake.
Holmoe is also an LDS member, though he was a Lutheran when he attended and played at BYU and later converted.
So, the playing field is considerably narrowed for that reason. Consider that this is a college athletic director job, and the pool gets smaller. Or, does it?
Matt Brown, who covers the business of college sports for Extra Points (you should subscribe if you really want to be in the know on this stuff), posted earlier this week that this search may be wider than some might think.
Remember — NIL, transfer portal, revenue sharing. Those are the new watch words in college sports. Holmoe did a great job of adjusting. The next hire should be much more immersed in it.
This will be one of the more interesting job searches to watch. Whoever gets the job will get, in my opinion, one of the best jobs in the country.
THE POPE’S IN ON THE JOKE
ESPN’s Karl Ravech got absolutely savaged while calling an SEC game earlier this week when he said the league had been a .500 league since a certain date. Ravech took the social media blast with a smile. He knew he fell for the bit.
Kentucky — and former BYU coach — Mark Pope offered this perfect take on the idea of a conference being .500. He was in on the joke form the beginning and his response was immaculate.
Please don’t tell me you need me to explain the math?
HOT SEAT BOB
If there is any one men’s basketball coach in the Big 12 who worries from a job security standpoint it’s Bobby Hurley at Arizona State.
Here is ASU athletic director Graham Rossini on rumors surrounding Hurley.
“No rumors. He’s our coach, and we’re going to support him. We’re going to keep pouring every bit of energy in to make sure that Sun Devil basketball, both men’s and women’s, competes at the highest level,” he said.
No matter what happens it will be an interesting offseason. He’s been in Tempe for 10 years and has taken the Sun Devils to three NCAA Tournament. He’s never gotten past the first round.
His contract ends after next season, per the State Press. The Sun Devils could simply keep him and make it a “prove-it” year for him. But it also means any buyout would be small and ASU could simply move on.
Plus, it’s possible he’s lost the locker room after comments from the loss to TCU on Saturday.
THE UPDATED WOMEN’S BRACKET
Here is the NCAA women’s basketball tournament Top 16 seed reveal, which came out on Sunday and featured two Big 12 teams hosting sub-regionals:
If TCU were to remain among the Top 16 seeds, hosting a sub-regional would be a program first.
You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.
