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...

[WhiteTrash]

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...

I don't see why Duke would be cut in to dilute the pot more. The past decade has proven to me that traditional powers and rivalries mean nothing.

UNC would be a nice addition to either the B10 or SEC. I see that happening someday even without a split you refer too.

The NCAA, or the like, will continue without the SEC & B10. Also, aside from being split off and revenue changes, the other policies of the NCAA some people hate will continue on in the new division since you have the same power broker school presidents making the rules.

[MuggsyB]

91 to 42???  When can we contact Massamba on ASU?  Any Senegalese restaurants in Milwaukee?

[GoldenEagles03]

91 to 42???  When can we contact Massamba on ASU?  Any Senegalese restaurants in Milwaukee?

He apparently requires an assistant to follow him. Not sure that's something we are into.

[MuggsyB]

He apparently requires an assistant to follow him. Not sure that's something we are into.

An assistant??  For what? 

[GoldenEagles03]

An assistant??  For what? 

Not really sure

https://x.com/i/status/2031143858579321256