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Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sport
Pat Forde

NCAA Tournament Has Turned Into Power Conference Haves vs. Cinderella Have-Nots

Cinderella NCAA SEC NCAA Tournament the Big Ten Derik Queen ACC Arkansas the Big 12 Sweet 16
Maryland's Derik Queen makes the game-winning shot against Colorado State in the second round of the NCAA tournament. | C. Morgan Engel / Getty Images

College sports gigantism isn’t just for football. It has taken over March Madness as well. For the first time in history, the men’s basketball Sweet 16 is comprised completely of teams from football-playing power conferences—a record seven from the SEC, four from the Big Ten, four from the Big 12 and one from the ACC. That’s the fewest conferences ever represented in a Sweet 16.

Chalk over charm. Consolidation over variety. Cinderella has been rubbed out.

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