The Guru Report: March Madness Women’s Version Heading For Insanity?

By Mel Greenberg @womhoopsguru

Though the original announcement was buried in an NCAA release in the middle of the winter, it has come out from the organization that in the manner the men now run the NIT, the NCAA is expanding its postseason involvement with the women.

No, the official March Madness 68-team women’s basketball tournament field is not about to grow, though the committee will keep the possibility housed in the radar to the future.

But coming next spring will be a bring a brand new, already branded, Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament 32-team field.

This creates a combined 100-team participation equivalent to the men’s side further playing the equality card that sprouted after the ado raised on other issues back in 2021 when the Covid-related bubble formats were held and findings of all kinds of women’s shortcomings were produced in the special fact-finding effort that was trotted out.

That gave a jump start to the official similar use of the March Madness branding that was the sole property of the men’s side plus a short ramp up from 64 to 68 teams, giving the women’s event their own First Four, which has been well received.

As for the Devil in the details, that’s coming very soon, so it’s hard to evaluate good or bad until then.

But there is an elephant in the room known as the WNIT which in recent years has become a more quality product at 64 with the highest snubbed team in each conference gaining another lifeboat especially for those just missing the big dance with another 32 at-large guests plucked to complete the bracket. 

Well a WNIT official texted the Guru they’re not going anywhere though at the moment the reduced hope for number in the WNIT field is 48.

So without regard to the eight-team CBI you’re talking about a postseason jump by 16 teams from 132 to 148.

Coaches on the hot seat will welcome the increased shot at a new resume item, especially if doing well.

So equality is great and parity is greater than ever, part of which spawned by the world of the portal, and one cannot say yeah or nay until it all becomes reality, and while the main attraction is headed for its greatest electronic valuation, the worst thing you want is a ton of lopsided events, especially being telecast, in these two other tournaments.

Once the details in both are out, we’ll revisit again, but your Guru who’s been busy with physical therapy from the right hip replacement, they say though long way to go for their goals but progress is excellent to date, didn’t want to appear out of the loop.