Would be interested in seeing a breakdown of how graduation rates have gone up since the impact of COVID and more online classes. I would be interested in knowing what percent of classes are athletes taking online.
The NCAA Tournament hasn't been less than 16 teams since 1951. In '53 it went to 22 and depending on the year was between 22 and 25 (some years they had more and then less play-in games) until the 1975 expansion to 32. That was followed quickly by expansions to 40 ('79), then 48('80), 52(' 83), 53 ('84), and then finally 64 ('85), 65 ('01), 68 (2011).
I doubt many remember a time of less than 22 teams in the field.
Given how routine upsets in the NCAA Tournament, I don't one can say the overall quality of the product is that poor. Besides, since all the league champions get in (and always have - it's just there are more conferences recognized now), the vast majority of the blowouts are of champions, not of also rans from conferences.
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