For fans of college basketball, March Madness is the best time of the year. Fans are excitedly anticipating which team will cut down the nets in New Orleans as the NCAA tournament gets underway. What you need to know, such as the favorites and underdogs, important games, and how to watch the tournament, will be outlined in this report. In the tournament, Alabama, Houston, Kansas, and Purdue had the top four seeds. Each team plays in a region, some of which are more difficult than others. Let’s dissect them:
East Region
After defeating Penn State 67-65 in the Big Ten title game, the Purdue Boilermakers received a No. 1 seed for the fourth time. Yet, they will likely face challenges from Memphis and a surging Duke. Memphis (26-8) is led by Kendric Davis and is coming off a significant upset of top-ranked Houston. In winning the ACC championship game 59-49, Duke (26-8) stopped Virginia.
South Region
With league player of the year Brandon Miller leading the way, Alabama won the Southeastern Conference regular season and tournament crowns for the first time, culminating in an 82-63 victory over Texas A&M. In Birmingham, Alabama, not far from their home, they will begin the tournament. Arizona and Baylor could be obstacles for the Crimson Tide to overcome. A fascinating early battle features 31-win No. 12 Charleston and No. 5 seed San Diego State. Furman is participating in their first tournament since 1980.
Midwest Region
Houston (31-3) received a top seed despite losing to unranked Memphis 75-65 in the American Athletic Conference championship game without league MVP Marcus Sasser (strained groin). Their first opponent will be Northern Kentucky (22-12). Penn State, which in the Big Ten played Purdue to the wire, and Texas A&M, the runner-up in the SEC Tournament, could be obstacles.
West Region
The Jayhawks finished with the top seed in a competitive region after losing to Texas in the Big 12 championship game, 76-56. They will face Howard (22-12), which is participating in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1992. Possible obstacles include No. 6 TCU (21-12), which defeated Kansas 83-60 on January 21 at Allen Field House, and Arkansas (20-13).
Must-see March Madness competitions
Texas A&M vs. Penn State – Thursday, 9:55 p.m. ET (TBS)
Following years of losing streaks in the NCAA Tournament, these two teams are now on a roll after flirting with league tournament championships.
Arkansas vs. Illinois – Thursday, 4:30 p.m. ET (TBS)
Nick Smith Jr., the top prospect from Arkansas, should be avoided because he has been scoring goals while having knee problems. Terrence Shannon Jr. and Matthew Mayer, two transfers, are the leaders of a potent Illinois squad.
Miami vs. Drake – Friday, 7:35 p.m. ET (TBS)
Isaiah Wong of Miami and Tucker DeVries of Drake are the two conference players of the year competing in this contest. This game promises to be entertaining as both teams have a history of success in the competition.
Kentucky vs. Providence – Friday, 7:10 p.m. ET. (CBS)
Kentucky is attempting to avoid another early exit from the tournament under the leadership of last year’s AP player of the year Oscar Tshiebwe. Providence, on the other hand, is led by Kentucky transfer Bryce Hopkins and has its eyes set on a Sweet 16 appearance.
Surprise teams in the tournament
North Carolina missed the cut for the NCAA Tournament but Texas Southern and Kennesaw State did. The Tar Heels created history by being the first team to begin the season rated No. 1 in The Associated Press Top 25 poll and conclude with an NCAA tournament airball since the bracket was enlarged to 64 teams in 1985. Yet Kennesaw State, which had a 1-28 record the previous three years, made the field. Moreover, MEAC champion Howard makes its first appearance since 1992, and Southern Conference champion Furman dances for the first time since 1980.
March Madness calendar
The March Madness schedule, which sets up the bracket matchups for the First Four and first- and second-round games across the nation from Florida to California, has been issued by the NCAA. New York City (East Region), Las Vegas (West), Kansas City, Missouri (Midwest), and Louisville, Kentucky will host the Sweet 16 games (South). Houston will host the Final Four on April 1 and the championship game on April 3. Dallas, which is about a four-hour drive from Houston, will host the women’s NCAA Tournament Final Four, which will be enjoyed by fans of women’s collegiate basketball.