2025-26 College Hoops Thread

[Tarragona]

5 of the top 10 markets within a few hours of one another. 8 of the top 10 in the Midwest:

https://x.com/cardchronicle/status/2031372730881204273?s=46

[Oldgym]

With the exception of Marquette as a die hard fan, the most fun of the NCAA tournament for me is the opportunity of small schools to slay Goliaths the 1st weekend.  I don't think I'm alone. 

You aren't. ESPN ran a thing about this yesterday, and the trend seems pretty clear. https://www.espn.com/espn/betting/story/_/id/48111056/2026-march-madness-ncaa-tournament-men-basketball-upsets-nil

[wadesworld]

The top of the sport is at as high of a level as it's ever been.  The portal has been a huge hit for NCAA basketball.  Give me some fun first round upsets and then give me really awesome teams playing at a really high level the rest of the Tournament.

St. Peter's beating Kentucky in a first round game?  Awesome!  An Elite 8 game wasted on St. Peter's getting doubled up by UNC at half?  Hard pass.

[BM1090]

Santa Clara was in before their win last night. That win gave them more breathing room and an improved seed line. WCC is a 3 bid league.

I don't know if that's true, but I do think they're in now.

[The Equalizer]

5 of the top 10 markets within a few hours of one another. 8 of the top 10 in the Midwest:

https://x.com/cardchronicle/status/2031372730881204273?s=46

Minneapolis and Dayton two top-10 markets unrepresented by the Big East? Looks like it's time to roll out the welcome mat for the Flyers and Tommies.

<ducks>

[MuggsyB]

I think there should be a max age requirement for college hoops.  24 and older guys shouldn't be on college rosters imo.   Unless it's a Mormon on a mission or in very rare cases a year+ medical red shirt. 

[The Sultan]

I think there should be a max age requirement for college hoops.  24 and older guys shouldn't be on college rosters imo.   Unless it's a Mormon on a mission or in very rare cases a year+ medical red shirt. 

Incredibly illegal.

[WhiteTrash]

Incredibly illegal.

Yes. At this point I think the NCAA will just be lucky to limit players' time in college sports.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

Minneapolis and Dayton two top-10 markets unrepresented by the Big East? Looks like it's time to roll out the welcome mat for the Flyers and Tommies.

<ducks>

Isn't St. Thomas already in the Big East?

[GoldenEagles03]

Hurley is going out sad with AZ State right now.

Down 23 with 10 points in the 1st half with 2 minutes left in the 1st half. 3 technicals in the 1st half along with a possible flagrant incoming.

Ugly!!!

[MUeng]

I know Gonzaga & SMC are called "mid-majors" but they're clearly not.  Let's assume SCU is in, regardless of today's result.  Let's even assume Miami is in if they don't win their tournament.  Who are the other non-autobid mid majors that will make the NCAA tournament? 

I have a fear that college basketball, as bad as the system is now, especially with the portal and NIL bidding, could get a lot worse.  I could see the power 4 conferences breaking off and forming  their own tournament.  That would stink to high heaven.  With the exception of Marquette as a die hard fan, the most fun of the NCAA tournament for me is the opportunity of small schools to slay Goliaths the 1st weekend.  I don't think I'm alone. 

not even the power 4, just the big ten and sec alone will break away and write their own rules. Matt Hayes had a decent USA Today piece on this yesterday. I don't think it's farfetched, maybe courtesy invites to Duke and North Carolina. But that's it. 36 schools splitting billions. The rest of us form our own association? Who knows...