On weekday mornings, Nevada Sports Net will recap three major headlines of the day in its Morning Download. Read today’s topics below.
1. NCAA president supports expanding tournament, potentially up to 76 teams
Charlie Baker, president of the NCAA told Sports Illustrated his organization is trying to expand the men’s and women’s basketball tournament for the 2027 season. “We’re definitely working to see if we can get to 72 or 76,” Baker told SI. Expansion of the NCAA Tournament has been a hot topic for several years, with the tournament last expanding from 65 to 68 teams in 2011. “Everyone thought the world was going to end, and it didn’t,” Baker told SI of previous expansions. Baker favors expansion but no firm decisions have been made. A common question is whether a potential expansion will benefit mediocre Power 4 schools or so-called mid-majors. The MW has earned the most bids among non-Power 4 conferences over the past half-decade, but will lose four of its top basketball programs to the Pac-12 this offseason, so an expanded tournament could help the MW remain a multi-bid league in 2027.
2. Reno High quarterback Braylon Wilson commits to Drake
Braylon Wilson, Reno High quarterback committed to FCS Drake School Tuesday. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound Wilson completed 57.8 percent of his passes last season for 2,427 yards and 22 touchdowns against nine interceptions. He also totaled 756 yards and 13 scores. Wilson was named the Northern 4A Offensive Player of the Year. Drake went 8-4 overall and 7-1 in conference play last season, winning the Pioneer League. The Bulldogs lost in the first round of the FCS playoffs to South Dakota, 38-17. Meanwhile, Bishop Manogue’s quarterback Brandon Mann decommitted from Nevada and will not sign with the Wolf Pack during today’s February deadline.
3. Former Nevada coach James Price lands at Montana State
Former Nevada wide receivers coach James Price accepted a job at Montana State. Price will be the Bobcats’ wide receivers coach after two seasons in that role at Nevada. Price was one of three offensive assistant coaches fired after the 2025 season. Montana State is coming off an FCS national championship and will play at Mackay Stadium against Nevada in Week 2 this season.
