College sports in the United States are a big deal and this is seen by wide television coverage, social media attention, and the traction these competitions generate. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is the regulating body for college sports in the country and is responsible for organizing and overseeing March Madness. So, what is March Madness?
What is March Madness?
March Madness is the NCAA Division I men’s and women’s basketball tournament held every March. It comprises 68 teams which take part in a single-elimination tournament. During the qualification process, 32 teams earn automatic slots through winning postseason conference tournaments. The remaining slots are filled using “at-large-bids”, meaning an invite from the NCAA Selection Committee.
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The Selection Process
On March 16, the Selection Committee will vote on the teams invited to the event. Teams are selected based on a team’s strength of schedule during the regular season, the quality of its wins — such as whether the wins came on the road or at home, and how the team performed statistically, both on the offensive and defensive end.
This set of evaluations, known as the NET Rankings or NCAA Evaluation Tool, has been in use since the 2018/19 season. Most schools that get the “at-large-bids” are part of the Power Five Conferences – the Big Ten, the Southeastern Conference, the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Big 12 and the soon-to-be dismantled Pac-12.
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March Madness Brackets
After selecting the teams, the committee seeds them from number one to 68. Before the event kickoff, the four lowest-seeded conference winners and the four lowest-seeded at large teams face each other, and the winners go into the first round.
The 64 teams going into the first round are divided into four regions – the Midwest, West, East, and South. Thereafter, the teams are seeded from the first to the 16th seed.
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How Many Rounds are in March Madness?
After the First Four, the NCAA March Madness goes through six rounds – the first and second rounds, the Sweet 16, the Elite Eight, the Final Four, and the title game. Here’s the schedule for this year’s event:
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- Selection Sunday: Sunday, March 16
- First Four: March 18-19
- First round: March 20-21
- Second round: March 22-23
- Sweet 16: March 27-28
- Elite Eight: March 29-30
- Final Four: April 5 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas
- NCAA championship game: April 7 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas
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Why is it Called March Madness?
The phrase March Madness was first used by Illinois High School official, Henry V. Porter, in 1939. “A little March madness may complement and contribute to sanity and help keep society on an even keel,” Porter wrote in “Illinois High School Athlete” magazine.
However, it wasn’t until 1982 that the phrase became associated with the NCAA tournament when CBS broadcaster Brent Musburger used the phrase in his reporting.
Final Thoughts
What is March Madness? It’s one of the most thrilling periods for college basketball players. It’s a highlight for their collegiate careers, giving them a chance to showcase their abilities and get teams to consider them for future drafts. Furthermore, millions of viewers tune in annually, making it one of the most exciting sporting traditions in the United States.
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