When you hear March you may think of Saint Patrick’s Day, the color green, and the start of spring. However, in the sports world, March means the annual NCAA March Madness Basketball Tournament is back! Every March, the NCAA holds a national tournament consisting of the top 64 teams, in both the men’s and women’s divisions. This tournament attracts everyone’s attention, since people all across the nation – sports fans or not – are making brackets and competing against friends and family to make the most accurate bracket.
On Sunday, March 17th, 2024, the selections were officially posted and everyone could start their brackets. The tournament is structured to be a fast-paced tournament, on loss and you’re out, this type of elimination created the widely known phrase: “Go Big or Go Home”. The tournament consists of 64 teams and based on their records during the season they are seeded and placed in order.
Round 1 games are on March 21st & 22nd and right after; teams who won the first game will move on to play the Round 2 games on March 23rd & 24th. After Round 2, now there is only a fourth of the teams remaining, before this round, there is also a short break before the next round: Sweet Sixteen, being played March 28th & 29th. With only 8 teams left in the tournament, the pressure is being felt more than ever, and on March 30th and 31st, the Elite Eight are facing off. Teams who have made it this far are finally able to see the finish line, it is so close and the Final Four games on April 6, will determine if they are going to the national championship. Finally, it is the championship game, the 2 teams still standing have put their all into this tournament and hope to bring a national championship title back to their school and leave their legacy. On April 8th it will finally be determined and we will see who the 2024 NCAA National Champions.
In the men’s division, some top predictions and their seeds are: Purdue (1), Kentucky (3), UConn(1), and Tennessee (2). Purdue is being led by senior Zach Edey, they are currently seeded in the 1st seed of their division, and are placed to battle either Grambling or Montana St., their opponent will be determined on March 20th. (https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/2024/03/18/march-madness-bracket-power-rankings-mens-teams/73019475007/ )
In the women’s division, some top projections and their seeds are: South Carolina (1), Iowa (1), LSU (3), and Stanford (2). South Carolina is the only undefeated team, and they are hoping to continue their undefeated record and progress throughout the tournament. LSU is the reigning champs, and they are hoping to go back-to-back. Which looks like a solid possibility as they have their returning star players: Angel Reese and Flau’jae Johnson. With the addition of 2018 USA Basketball 3×3 U18 National Championship MVP, Louisville transfer: Hailey Van Lith. With all 3 of these star players, it is looking very possible that LSU will come out on top and go back-to-back.
Students all over campus are getting excited, and are starting to research teams they think are going to win and some possible underdog Cinderella stories. Madison Chou (11) states: “I am excited to watch the women’s games because I’ve been watching Caitlin Clark all year, and I can’t wait to see what she’s going to do in the tournament.”
So good luck making your brackets, and have fun!
