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March Madness is usually a wild ride, with Cinderella stories and jaw-dropping upsets stealing the show. But this year's NCAA Tournament? It's been a bit too predictable for some, and ESPN's Stephen A. Smith isn't holding back. The outspoken analyst dropped a bombshell on First Take, warning that the lack of underdog magic could spell doom for college hoops as we know it.
"If this continues, it will be the death of college basketball," Smith declared, his voice carrying the weight of a man who's seen the game's soul slip away. He's got a point-March Madness thrives on chaos.
The little guys taking down giants is what fuels bracket-busting fever and keeps fans glued to their screens. This time around, though, the Sweet 16 is packed with powerhouses, and the mid-majors are nowhere to be found. Where's the drama?
Smith blames the shifting landscape of college sports. With Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals and the transfer portal shaking things up, talent is pooling at the top. "The NCAA Tournament is where it's at, and the allure is that anyone has a chance because of Cinderella," he explained. "What you don't want is a situation where nobody has a chance because those players from the mid-majors say they're going to get money from Kentucky or UConn." It's a harsh reality check-big-money programs are flexing harder than ever.
Smith: NIL and transfers are ruining March Madness
The stats back him up. By the second weekend of the 2025 tourney, all the double-digit seeds were toast, save for a scrappy Arkansas squad. The SEC, Big Ten, and Big 12 are dominating, leaving fans missing the days of a Loyola Chicago or a Saint Peter's run. "March Madness owns sports for those four weeks," Smith added. "What is the allure? That everybody has a chance. That's what gravitates you."
Is he exaggerating? Maybe a tad-ratings are still strong with heavyweights like Duke and Florida duking it out. But there's no denying the vibe feels off without a plucky underdog crashing the party. Social media's buzzing too, with fans and analysts like Clay Travis echoing Smith's fears about NIL's impact. Love him or hate him, Stephen A.'s stirring the pot, and it's got everyone talking about what makes March Madness truly mad.