Welcome back to The IX Sports Podcast, where co-hosts Howard Megdal and Jackie Powell have a jam-packed women’s basketball episode to round out your week.
Megdal breaks down the news that the NCAA Tournament is set to expand from 68 to 76 teams and what it means. Then he and Powell talk with Tony East, The IX Basketball’s Indiana Fever beat reporter, about the Fever’s training camp and preseason schedule. The episode also includes an interview with retiring BIG EAST Commissioner Val Ackerman and analysis from Powell on the WNBA’s new developmental player spots.
Megdal has “mixed feelings” about NCAA Tournament expansion, which will begin in 2027. Here’s why:
“There are more [Division I] teams than there have ever been. Since the last time that there was growth in the NCAA Tournament field, we have seen more of them. I was used to 64. I got used to 68. I can get used to 76.
“Here’s how I will feel good about it: If, when we move to 76, we see mid-majors rewarded. If we see teams that are winning their conference, that are winning the overwhelming majority of their games, getting rewarded with the postseason. When there are units in the women’s game, it matters even more to win NCAA Tournament games.”
Later in the episode, East summarizes the Fever’s two preseason games to date:
“They’ve had a good offensive game and a bad offensive game generally so far. But their defensive concerns, I think, continue to be something from preseason that is at least a little eyebrow-raising, albeit without their two best defensive starters available for either game. Aliyah Boston has not played yet with a lower leg injury, and Lexie Hull has a hamstring injury.”
Related reading: 2026 WNBA season preview: Indiana Fever
“Becoming Caitlin Clark” is out now!
Howard Megdal’s newest book is here! “Becoming Caitlin Clark: The Unknown Origin Story of a Modern Basketball Superstar” captures both the historic nature of Clark’s rise and the critical context over the previous century that helped make it possible, including interviews with Clark, Lisa Bluder (who also wrote the foreword), C. Vivian Stringer, Jan Jensen, Molly Kazmer and many others.
Make sure to subscribe to The IX Sports Podcast for in-depth coverage of women’s soccer, hockey and basketball. And tune in to Women’s Sports Daily each weekday morning for a quick overview of the biggest headlines.
What you missed on Women’s Sports Daily: PWHL playoffs officially kick off!