NCAA tournament: If Cinderella is dead, who (or what) is to blame? Here are the biggest culprits
The NCAA tournament has seen a decline in Cinderella stories, with all 16 teams advancing to the second week hailing from power conferences. The gap between college basketball's haves and have-nots is widening due to massive NIL payouts and transfer rules.
The NCAA tournament has become less competitive, with power conference teams dominating. This year, all 16 teams that advanced to the second week are from power conferences. The only double-digit-seeded team to advance is a Texas team with a $22.4 million operating budget. Mid-majors are struggling to keep their best players due to wealthier programs offering massive NIL payouts. The ability to offer NIL payouts has allowed high-majors to recruit top talent. Teams at the top of the tournament bracket are loaded with prized freshmen and proven veterans. The gap between college basketball's haves and have-nots is rapidly widening.
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