The teams with the deepest pockets are still dancing. Several of the tournament's biggest spenders are still standing, underscoring how much NIL and the transfer portal continue to shape the sport. The latest reporting from Pete Nakos shows that three remaining teams cleared the $10 million mark in roster spending this season, a sign that deep-pocketed contenders are still dominating the bracket.
There's also a strong next tier of Sweet 16 teams spending in the $8 million to $10 million range, further illustrating just how expensive it's become to seriously compete at the top of college basketball. And according to Nakos, that number could keep climbing next season.
Not every big-budget build survived, though. Kentucky reportedly carried the sport's biggest roster price tag at around $22 million, but the Wildcats were bounced in the second round by Iowa State. It's the clearest reminder yet that while money can build a contender, it still can't guarantee a deep NCAA Tournament run.
Doing more with less
If one team stands out for efficiency, it's Iowa State. The Cyclones reportedly spent around $6.5 million this season, well below the biggest spenders, but still punched through to the Sweet 16. That makes T.J. Otzelberger's group one of the best examples of getting the biggest bang for their buck in this year's field.
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