Arizona HC Tommy Lloyd Weighs in on Controversial NCAA Tournament Expansion

Recent reports emerged that the NCAA Tournament will expand from 68 to 76 teams beginning in 2027, and a large majority of fans have adamantly rejected the idea.

Critics argue expansion threatens the exclusivity that made March Madness appointment viewing in the first place. Others worry it will hand even more leverage to power conferences while diluting the urgency of the regular season.

But Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd sees it differently.

Speaking with local reporters on Wednesday, Lloyd made a straightforward case for expansion.

"More games on TV, the better," Lloyd said. "I know I’ll be watching. I think we all will. I don’t think anybody’s going to say, ‘Oh, no, I’m not watching those games,' because there’s going to be buzzer beaters. There’s going to be high drama. I think it’s only going to gain more momentum and more interest."

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Lloyd is one of college basketball's most accomplished modern coaches. After spending two decades as an assistant at Gonzaga, he took over Arizona in 2021 and quickly restored the Wildcats to national prominence.

In his first two seasons, Lloyd led Arizona to back-to-back Pac-12 regular season and tournament titles in 2022 and 2023, earning Pac-12, AP, NABC, and USBWA Coach of the Year honors along the way.

After the program's move to the Big 12, the Wildcats didn't slow down, capturing both the 2026 conference regular-season and tournament championships.

Lloyd further cemented his standing this season by winning the Naismith Coach of the Year award after guiding Arizona to a No. 1 seed and the program's first Final Four appearance in 25 years.

So when a coach of Lloyd's stature makes a case for expansion amid widespread skepticism, people pay attention.

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Critics of expansion believe a 76-team tournament could make it easier for bubble teams to get in, weaken the importance of Selection Sunday, and give even more advantages to power-conference programs that already benefit from NIL money and the transfer portal.

Some analysts also believe mid-major schools could actually be hurt by expansion, even if the format appears to create more opportunities.

Lloyd, seemingly, isn't buying that argument.

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This story was originally published May 27, 2026 at 1:40 PM.