"The NCAA is on track to expand the March Madness tournament from 68 to 76 teams, likely starting in 2027.
Under this expansion, the tournament will replace the "First Four" with an "opening round" that includes more play-in games to accommodate additional at-large and conference champion bids.
Here is how the seed structure is expected to change:
12 Seeds Affected: 12th seeds will be relegated to 13th seeds.
Play-in Expansion: The new 76-team format is projected to create four 12-seed play-in games, two 15-seed play-in games, and four 16-seed play-in games.
Focus on Bubble Teams: The extra slots are largely designed to include more "at-large" power-conference teams.
Opening Round Games: The expansion will create 12 games for 24 teams on the Tuesday and Wednesday of the opening round. "
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So the First Four Out and Next Four Out...will be in now as 12 seed play-ins