Numerous reports came out Monday that the NCAA is toying with the possibility of expanding the men’s basketball tournament from 65 to 96 teams.

This is simply a ridiculous idea.

Sure, I was more than annoyed when an ASU squad that deserved to make the Big Dance in 2008 had its bubble popped before its very eyes, especially when most middle-of-the-road teams from major conferences would beat the automatic qualifiers from the mid-major schools.

But allowing almost 100 teams to make the field is beyond excessive.

This isn’t fourth-grade basketball played at the YMCA. Not everyone gets a trophy, and not everyone has an equal chance to win. That’s what the regular season is for.

Plus, how the heck do you fill out a bracket with 96 teams? I consider myself a very close follower of the sport, and even I would have to resort to the method of picking some of the winners based on their mascot name or jersey color combo.

And what would guys like Joe Lunardi, Jay Bilas and Dick Vitale do in the weeks leading up to Selection Sunday and right after the field is revealed when they are no longer able to analyze and whine about bubble teams?

Actually, maybe this isn’t such a bad idea.