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Published Sat, Mar 20, 2010 02:00 AM
Modified Fri, Mar 19, 2010 06:57 PM

Mega-tournament

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Tags: news | opinion - mailbag

There has been much talk about expanding the NCAA men's basketball tournament from 65 to 96 teams. But if play is to be extended for an additional weekend, why not go all the way, inviting 256 teams?

The benefits are obvious: more television money, more job security for coaches and added games for the players. Did I also mention more television money?

If expansion is to take place, the NCAA might also take a page out of the book of Major League Baseball by having the Final Four teams take part in best-four-of-seven series. That would add a minimum of 12 and a maximum of 21 additional games.

The flaw in this is that it leaves 91 of the 347 Division I teams out in the cold. Oh, well, no plan is perfect.

Ole R. Holsti

Department of Political Science, Duke University

Chapel Hill

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