Why was the NCAA field expanded to 64 teams?

Answer 1

Over the years, the NCAA tournament has expanded several times for various reasons.

As more and more schools were developing solid Basketball programs, the competitivness was increasing throughout the country.

More games = more money.

when the tournament originated, it was only an 8-team tournament.

years later, it grew to a 16-team tournament.

then throughtout the 70's & 80's, as the tournament's popularity increased and TV revenues increased, the tournament grew larger and larger each year.

in 1985, it was set at 64 teams.

64 is a good number for a tournament field, because its easily divisible.

half of 64 is 32. half of 32 is 16. half of 16 is 8. half of 8 is 4. half of 4 is 2. half of 2 is 1.

since 2001, a 65th team has been added as a part of a "play-in game"

after that one game, the field is back to 64 teams.