Money talks at NCAA tournament

When it comes to the top seeds and performers in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, those who spend the most on coaches and recruiting generally reap the greatest rewards.

According to an analysis of the U.S. Department of Education’s Equality in Athletics data performed by the Memphis Business Journal, the national title winner in three out of the past five seasons has been among the top three biggest spenders.

In 2010, Duke University spent $12.3 million on path to its national title. The 2012 champion, the University of Kentucky, ranked No. 3 in spending, and the University of Louisville spent $15.7 million on the path to its 2013 title run, the most among all Division 1 basketball teams.

Louisville, a 4-seed in the East Region this year, again spent the most in the 2013-14 season at $16.35 million. Overall No. 1 ranked Kentucky was runner-up at $16.2 million, and the top seed in the South Region, Duke, had the third-largest expense line last year at $14.2 million.

Read more from the Memphis Business Journal.