Vanderbilt Coach Backs NCAA Tournament Expansion

Mark Byington believes more teams deserve a chance at March Madness glory.

Feb. 20, 2026 at 9:04pm

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Vanderbilt basketball coach Mark Byington has voiced his support for expanding the NCAA tournament, citing the high level of talent in college basketball today. Byington led the Commodores to the tournament in his first season and believes more teams deserve a shot at March Madness glory, despite concerns about 'watering down' the field.

Why it matters

The NCAA tournament is one of the most popular and lucrative sporting events in the United States, and any changes to its format are closely watched. Byington's support for expansion adds to the growing calls for the tournament to include more teams, which could provide opportunities for mid-major programs and increase the overall excitement around the event.

The details

Byington's comments come after NCAA president Charlie Baker said he would support expanding the tournament, though no specific number of additional teams has been proposed. The NCAA's senior vice president, Dan Gavitt, has said a decision on expansion won't come until after this year's tournament. Byington believes the influx of international players and the impact of NIL deals have raised the overall level of talent in college basketball, making a case for more teams to be included in the Big Dance.

  • On February 19, 2026, NCAA president Charlie Baker said he would support expanding the tournament.
  • On February 20, 2026, Vanderbilt basketball coach Mark Byington voiced his support for NCAA tournament expansion.

The players

Mark Byington

The head coach of the Vanderbilt Commodores men's basketball team, who led the team to the NCAA tournament in his first season in 2024-25 and has them on track for a second straight March Madness appearance in 2026.

Charlie Baker

The president of the NCAA, who said on February 19, 2026 that he would support expanding the NCAA tournament.

Dan Gavitt

The NCAA's senior vice president, who said on February 20, 2026 that a decision on tournament expansion won't come until after this year's event.

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What they’re saying

“I'm a believer they should (expand). I think the game has changed and there's more teams deserving. I know there's always a fear of having to water down if you have too many teams in there, but we've seen teams in the First Four make it to the Final Four. I think there's so many players now, when you talk about the international players that are coming, right now, college basketball is as good as it's been. NIL, got some things that don't make things perfect, but there is a high level of player in college basketball right now, so I think there's more teams deserving.”

— Mark Byington, Vanderbilt Basketball Coach

What’s next

The NCAA will make a decision on tournament expansion after the 2026 NCAA tournament.

The takeaway

Byington's support for NCAA tournament expansion reflects a growing sentiment that the field should be expanded to include more deserving teams, given the increased talent level in college basketball. While concerns about 'watering down' the tournament remain, Byington believes the benefits of providing more opportunities outweigh the risks, and his voice adds to the ongoing debate about the future of March Madness.