The NCAA News - News and Features

August 4, 1997

Basketball group discusses change to 48-team bracket

The NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Committee discussed issues related to the implementation of a 48-team bracket during its annual meeting July 14-17 in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

Because the Division III Men's Basketball Championship field was reduced from 64 to 48 teams for the 1998 event, the committee awarded automatic qualification to 25 of 31 eligible conferences.

The championship will retain the first-round/second-round/sectional format for preliminary rounds. The committee discussed possible revisions in the sectional rotation schedule but did not recommend changes for the 1997-98 season.

In other actions, the committee agreed to continue to conduct six regional rankings, in addition to an early-season ranking in December.

The committee also discussed realignment issues, including the possibility of surveying the membership regarding changes in regional alignment.