The NCAA basketball tournament, also known as March Madness, has a rich and fascinating history that has evolved over the years. Here’s a brief overview of how the tournament has evolved to its current format of 68 teams.
The tournament began in 1939 with just eight teams, and it continued to grow over the next several decades. In 1951, the field expanded to 16 teams, and in 1975 it expanded again to 32 teams. This 32-team format remained in place for nearly two decades until it was expanded again in 2001 to 65 teams, with the addition of a play-in game between the two lowest-seeded teams.
At this point in the tournament’s history is when the public interest and participation in real money March Madness brackets took off. You will find most any workplace run some sort of pool for the tournament. These tournaments help make the workplace fun and exciting during the month of March and April.
In 2011, the NCAA announced that it would be expanding the tournament once again, this time to 68 teams. The new format included four play-in games, which would determine the final four teams to make it into the official bracket of 64 teams.
The four play-in games are now referred to as the First Four, and they are held on the Tuesday and Wednesday following Selection Sunday, which is the day when the 68 teams are announced and the brackets are set. The winners of the First Four games then move on to the first round of the tournament, where they join the other 64 teams.
The current format of the NCAA basketball tournament has been in place since 2011, with 68 teams competing over the course of three weekends in March and early April. The tournament is divided into four regions, with 16 teams in each region. The first and second rounds are held over the first weekend, with the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight games held the following weekend. The Final Four and championship game are held on the final weekend, with the winner being crowned the NCAA men’s basketball champion.
Overall, the tournament has grown and evolved significantly since its inception, and it has become one of the most popular and exciting sporting events in the world. The expansion to 68 teams has allowed for more teams to participate in the tournament, while still maintaining the excitement and drama that fans have come to expect from March Madness.
