NCAA
Tournament Selections
Click Here for a 2009 Printable NCAA Tournament Bracket!
Prepare for March Madness, Tourney Info and NCAA Tournament
Selections
Also known as the Big Dance, the basketball tourney takes place
over a three week period at various sites across the nation, going
from 65 teams, to the Sweet Sixteen, the Elite Eight, the Final
Four and the finals where the national championship is decided.
The complimenting blend of favorites and Cinderella teams has made
the NCAA tournament one of the most beloved sporting events in the
United States.
Forming the Brackets
The tournament bracket is comprised of tournament champions from
each conference in Division 1 play. The remaining spots are chosen
on "Selection Sunday" by the NCAA selection committee
who bases the tournament seedings on various factors such as win-loss
records and team rankings. The two lowest seeded teams that qualify
by winning the tournament in their conference play in an opening
round game, determining who will advance to the first round in the
NCCA tournament to play a number one seed. Incorporated in 2001,
the opening round game is often considered a "play-in"
game even though it is technically a part of the tournament.
Inside the Tournament
The NCAA tournament is divided into four regions with each region
having teams seeded 1 through 16. The number 1 seed faces off against
the 16 seed, the number 2 seed plays the number 15 seed and so forth.
This structure is designed in a way that makes it more probable
of the best teams meeting in the regional semi-finals and all the
way to Final Four. With the single-elimination format in place,
underdog teams have the opportunity to advance even though they
are up against higher ranked opponents. And while there always seems
to be a March Madness upset every year, a number 16 team has never
beat a number 1 team, let alone went on to win the national championship.
After making it through the first round, teams move onto the regional
semi-finals, more aptly termed as the Sweet Sixteen. From there
it's onto the Elite Eight which is the regional finals and then
the Final Four. The national semifinal games are played on Saturday
while the national championship is decided on the following Monday.
Since its inception in 1939, the NCAA tournament has built a legacy
filled with dynasties and unbelievable stories of underdogs rising
up to meet the challenge. In recent times, March Madness has become
the focus of professional sports betting and friendly wagering,
resulting in a number office pools with participation from diehard
fans and newcomers alike. You can catch most of the games on the
CBS television network in the U.S. with the exception of the opening
round game which has been airing on ESPN for the last six years.
Get Ready for the Whistle
Although selection Sunday is a long way off, the NCAA basketball
season is underway and sportbooks are already posting odds while
handicappers are preparing for their predictions, March Madness
Picks and ncaa tournament selections. There is still a chance to
get an earlier start and ride a team or two all the way to the Final
Four.
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