What Is March Madness? Everything You Need To Know
“March Madness” is a common expression used to characterize the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament. Furthermore, each year in March, 68 teams from all around the United States compete in the event to determine who will be crowned national champion. Discover More about What is March Madness?
Because of its long tradition. The tournament has grown into one of the most watched and financially lucrative sporting events in the United States. Drawing in millions of spectators and millions more in income each year.
March Madness History
Henry V. Porter, an official at a high school in Illinois, was the first person to coin the term “March Madness” in 1939 to characterise the excitement and craziness of the high school basketball championship held in that state.
Throughout the 1980s, CBS began using the term to promote its coverage of the NCAA tournament. Which contributed to the term’s rise to popularity. Since that time, the term “March Madness” has grown in popularity and is now commonly used to refer to the NCAA tournament.
Selection Sunday
The first day of the NCAA tournament is called Selection Sunday. Also it takes place on the second Sunday of March each year.
This is the day that the 68 teams that have been chosen to compete in the tournament are revealed by a selection committee that is comprised of athletic directors from a variety of schools and universities. The teams are selected based on how well they performed during the regular season as well as how well they did in their respective conference finals.
The Bracket
The tournament bracket is made after the teams have been chosen. When a team loses a game in the bracket, they are automatically eliminated from the competition. Within each of the four regions (East, West, South, and Midwest), the teams are seeded from one to sixteen. Four teams from each region advance automatically. While the remaining teams play in the first round, often known as “play-in” games.
Four rounds make up the tournament bracket, with one-half of the remaining teams being eliminated after each round. The first round consists of 32 games played over two days and is also known as the Round of 64. Round 2 (also known as “Round of 32”) consists of 16 games played over the course of two days. The Sweet 16 phase of the tournament consists of eight games contested over two days. The Elite Eight round consists of four games played over the course of two days.
The Final Four
The Final Four is played on the first Saturday in April and features the four teams that advanced from the Elite Eight round. It is a competition with a single round of elimination. Also the two teams who emerge victorious go on to compete in the championship game. Which takes place on the first Monday of April each year.
The March Madness championship game is the finale of the tournament and is watched by millions of fans from all around the world. Furthermore, the team that comes out on top is given the honor of being named the national champion and takes home the trophy for the NCAA championship.
Impact of March Madness
The cultural and economic significance of March Madness in the United States is substantial. The tournament’s growth to a major sporting event with millions of viewers and billions in revenue is nothing short of remarkable.
In addition, People from all over the country congregate to watch the games and take part in office pools and other betting activities. Making the tournament a big cultural event as well. Advertisers have taken notice of the tournament and are spending millions on advertising to air throughout the games.
Wrapping It Up
In conclusion, March Madness is a beloved American tradition that has become a significant cultural and economic event. The tournament is steeped in history and has evolved over time to become one of the most-watched sporting events in the world. Also, the tournament’s impact extends beyond the basketball court and has become an integral part of American culture. Moreover, as the tournament continues to grow and evolve, it will remain a beloved tradition for generations to come.
