The NCAA has unveiled a sweeping change to its Division I men's basketball tournament, expanding the bracket from 68 to 76 teams beginning with the 2027 championship. Alongside the format shift, the association named four new administrators to the tournament's selection committee, a move that will reshape how the field is curated and seeded.
A Blend of Experience and Fresh Perspective
The incoming members bring a mix of athletic directorships and conference expertise. Pete Bevacqua, the Athletics Director at the University of Notre Dame, will serve a four‑year term, while Keith Carter of Ole Miss, Jeff Jackson of the Missouri Valley Conference and Mark Jackson of Northwestern will each commit to five‑year tenures.
They will replace outgoing committee members whose contracts expire at the end of August, with Bevacqua slated to take the Atlantic Coast Conference seat vacated by John Wildhack. Their backgrounds span playing experience, gold‑medal achievements and leadership roles across major collegiate programs.
The committee now comprises eight veteran administrators alongside the four newcomers, forming a twelve‑member panel tasked with selecting, seeding and bracketing the expanded tournament. Martin Newton will chair the group during the 2026‑27 season, guiding the implementation of the new structure as March Madness enters a historic phase.
The expansion reflects the NCAA's ambition to broaden competitive opportunities while maintaining the integrity of the selection process. With seasoned leaders at the helm, the organization aims to ensure that the larger field remains balanced, competitive and true to the spirit of college basketball.