With the excitement of the NCAA Tournament just a few months away, basketball fans around the country are eagerly anticipating the release of the 2024 NCAA Bracket Schedule. This year’s tournament promises to be one of the most competitive and unpredictable in recent memory, with several top-tier teams vying for the coveted championship title.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll provide you with all the essential information you need to stay up-to-date on the upcoming NCAA Tournament. We’ll cover key dates, tournament format, selection criteria, and much more. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just looking to catch some of the best college basketball action of the year, this guide has everything you need to know.
As we approach the start of the tournament, the Selection Committee will meticulously evaluate each team’s performance, taking into consideration a variety of factors such as overall record, strength of schedule, and recent results. The committee will then select the 68 teams that will participate in the tournament, seeding them based on their overall ranking.
Ncaa Bracket Schedule 2024
Mark your calendars for the thrilling NCAA Tournament in 2024.
- Tournament Dates: March 18 – April 8
- Number of Teams: 68
- Selection Show: March 10
- First Four Games: March 19
- Regional Finals: March 29 and 30
- Final Four: April 5 and 6
- National Championship: April 8
- Host Cities: Various locations
Don’t miss the incredible action as the best college basketball teams compete for the ultimate prize.
Tournament Dates: March 18 – April 8
The 2024 NCAA Tournament will take place over the course of three weeks, starting on Monday, March 18 and culminating with the National Championship game on Saturday, April 8. This year’s tournament will feature 68 teams competing in a single-elimination format, with the top seeds in each region receiving a bye to the second round.
The First Four games, which determine the final four teams to make the tournament, will be played on Tuesday, March 19 and Wednesday, March 20. The first round of the tournament will then begin on Thursday, March 21, with the second round following on Friday, March 22 and Saturday, March 23. The Sweet 16 games will be played on Thursday, March 28 and Friday, March 29, followed by the Elite Eight games on Saturday, March 30.
The Final Four, which consists of the two national semifinal games, will be held on Saturday, April 5 at a predetermined location. The National Championship game will then take place on Monday, April 8, to determine the NCAA Division I men’s basketball champion.
With so many talented teams and exciting matchups, the 2024 NCAA Tournament promises to be one of the most memorable and unpredictable tournaments in recent history. Make sure to mark your calendars and tune in to catch all the action!
So, get ready for three weeks of non-stop excitement as the best college basketball teams in the nation battle it out for the ultimate prize.
Number of Teams: 68
The 2024 NCAA Tournament will feature 68 teams, which is the same number of teams that have participated in the tournament since 2011.
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Automatic Bids:
32 teams will receive automatic bids to the tournament by winning their respective conference tournaments. These teams are guaranteed a spot in the field of 68, regardless of their overall record or strength of schedule.
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At-Large Bids:
The remaining 36 teams will be selected by the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee based on their overall record, strength of schedule, and other factors. These teams are not guaranteed a spot in the tournament, but they have a chance to earn an at-large bid if they perform well during the regular season and conference tournaments.
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First Four Games:
The First Four games are played between the four lowest-seeded at-large teams to determine the final four teams that will advance to the main bracket of the tournament. These games are typically played at a neutral site on the Tuesday and Wednesday before the first round of the tournament begins.
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Single-Elimination Format:
Once the field of 68 is set, the teams are seeded from 1 to 68 based on their overall record and strength of schedule. The tournament is then conducted in a single-elimination format, meaning that the loser of each game is eliminated from the tournament.
With 68 teams competing for the national championship, the NCAA Tournament is one of the most exciting and unpredictable sporting events in the world. Every team has a chance to make a run to the Final Four and compete for the title, which makes the tournament so captivating for fans of college basketball.
Selection Show: March 10
The NCAA Tournament Selection Show is a highly anticipated event that takes place on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at 6:00 PM ET. During the show, the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee will reveal the 68 teams that have been selected to participate in the tournament, as well as their seeds and regions.
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Selection Committee:
The NCAA Tournament Selection Committee is responsible for selecting the 68 teams that will participate in the tournament. The committee is made up of 10 members, including athletic directors, conference commissioners, and former coaches. The committee uses a variety of factors to evaluate teams, including their overall record, strength of schedule, and recent results.
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Seeding and Regions:
Once the 68 teams have been selected, they are seeded from 1 to 68 based on their overall record and strength of schedule. The top 16 teams receive a No. 1 seed, and the remaining teams are seeded 2 through 16. The teams are then placed into four regions: East, West, South, and Midwest. The selection committee tries to place teams in regions that are geographically close to their campuses, but this is not always possible.
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Bracket Reveal:
The Selection Show is the moment when the entire NCAA Tournament bracket is revealed to the public. The bracket shows the matchups for each round of the tournament, from the First Four games to the National Championship game. Once the bracket is revealed, fans can start making their predictions and filling out their tournament brackets.
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Excitement and Anticipation:
The Selection Show is a major event in the college basketball calendar. It is a time of great excitement and anticipation for fans of all the teams that are hoping to make the tournament. The Selection Show also marks the official start of the NCAA Tournament, which is one of the most exciting and unpredictable sporting events in the world.
So, be sure to tune in to the Selection Show on March 10, 2024, to find out which teams have made the NCAA Tournament and to see how the bracket unfolds.
First Four Games: March 19
The First Four games are a play-in round that takes place on Tuesday, March 19 and Wednesday, March 20, 2024. These games are played between the four lowest-seeded at-large teams in the NCAA Tournament to determine the final four teams that will advance to the main bracket of the tournament.
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Purpose of the First Four:
The First Four games were introduced in 2011 to expand the NCAA Tournament from 64 teams to 68 teams. The First Four games give more teams a chance to compete in the tournament and add an extra layer of excitement to the Selection Sunday reveal.
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Selection Process:
The four teams that participate in the First Four games are selected by the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee. The committee uses a variety of factors to evaluate teams, including their overall record, strength of schedule, and recent results. The four teams that are deemed to be the weakest at-large teams are then placed into the First Four.
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Game Format:
The First Four games are single-elimination games, meaning that the loser of each game is eliminated from the tournament. The games are played at a neutral site, which is typically a campus site or an arena in a city that is close to the campuses of the participating teams.
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Importance of the First Four:
The First Four games are an important part of the NCAA Tournament because they give four more teams a chance to compete for the national championship. These games are often very competitive and unpredictable, as the teams involved are typically very evenly matched. The First Four games also add an extra layer of excitement to the tournament, as fans get to see four more teams compete for a spot in the main bracket.
So, make sure to tune in to the First Four games on March 19 and 20, 2024, to catch all the excitement and see which four teams will advance to the main bracket of the NCAA Tournament.
Regional Finals: March 29 and 30
The Regional Finals are the penultimate round of the NCAA Tournament and are held on Friday, March 29 and Saturday, March 30, 2024. These games determine which two teams from each region will advance to the Final Four.
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Matchups:
The Regional Finals matchups are determined by the results of the Sweet 16 games. The winners of the four Sweet 16 games in each region advance to the Regional Finals. The teams are seeded 1 through 4 in each region, and the No. 1 seed plays the No. 4 seed, while the No. 2 seed plays the No. 3 seed.
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Game Format:
The Regional Finals games are single-elimination games, meaning that the loser of each game is eliminated from the tournament. The games are played at two predetermined regional sites, which are typically domed stadiums or large arenas in major cities.
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Importance of the Regional Finals:
The Regional Finals are a major hurdle for teams that are hoping to reach the Final Four and compete for the national championship. The Regional Finals games are often very competitive and unpredictable, as the teams involved are typically very evenly matched. The Regional Finals also generate a lot of excitement and anticipation among fans, as they are the last games before the Final Four.
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Path to the Final Four:
The winners of the Regional Finals games advance to the Final Four, which is the semifinals of the NCAA Tournament. The Final Four is held at a predetermined site, which is typically a large stadium or arena in a major city. The winners of the Final Four games advance to the National Championship game, which is the final game of the NCAA Tournament.
So, be sure to tune in to the Regional Finals on March 29 and 30, 2024, to catch all the excitement and see which four teams will advance to the Final Four.
Final Four: April 5 and 6
The Final Four is the semifinals of the NCAA Tournament and is held on Saturday, April 5 and Sunday, April 6, 2024. The Final Four games determine which two teams will advance to the National Championship game.
The Final Four matchups are determined by the results of the Regional Finals games. The winners of the two Regional Finals games in each region advance to the Final Four. The teams are seeded 1 and 2 in each region, and the No. 1 seed from one region plays the No. 2 seed from the other region.
The Final Four games are single-elimination games, meaning that the loser of each game is eliminated from the tournament. The games are played at a predetermined site, which is typically a large stadium or arena in a major city. The site of the Final Four rotates each year, and some of the cities that have hosted the Final Four in recent years include New Orleans, Minneapolis, and Phoenix.
The Final Four is one of the most exciting and anticipated events in college basketball. The games are typically very competitive and unpredictable, as the four teams involved are all very evenly matched. The Final Four also generates a lot of excitement and anticipation among fans, as it is the last weekend of the NCAA Tournament before the National Championship game.
So, be sure to tune in to the Final Four on April 5 and 6, 2024, to catch all the excitement and see which two teams will advance to the National Championship game.
National Championship: April 8
The National Championship game is the final game of the NCAA Tournament and is held on Monday, April 8, 2024. The game determines which team will be crowned the NCAA Division I men’s basketball champion.
The National Championship matchup is determined by the results of the Final Four games. The winners of the two Final Four games advance to the National Championship game.
The National Championship game is a single-elimination game, meaning that the loser of the game is eliminated from the tournament. The game is played at a predetermined site, which is typically a large stadium or arena in a major city. The site of the National Championship rotates each year, and some of the cities that have hosted the National Championship in recent years include New Orleans, Minneapolis, and Phoenix.
The National Championship game is one of the most exciting and anticipated events in college basketball. The game is typically very competitive and unpredictable, as the two teams involved are both very evenly matched. The National Championship game also generates a lot of excitement and anticipation among fans, as it is the culmination of the entire NCAA Tournament.
So, be sure to tune in to the National Championship game on April 8, 2024, to catch all the excitement and see which team will be crowned the NCAA Division I men’s basketball champion.
Host Cities: Various locations
The NCAA Tournament is held at various locations across the United States. The First Four games are typically played at a campus site or an arena in a city that is close to the campuses of the participating teams. The Regional Finals are played at two predetermined regional sites, which are typically domed stadiums or large arenas in major cities.
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First Four Sites:
The First Four games are typically played at a campus site or an arena in a city that is close to the campuses of the participating teams. Some recent First Four sites have included Dayton, Ohio; Greensboro, North Carolina; and Spokane, Washington.
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Regional Sites:
The Regional Finals are played at two predetermined regional sites, which are typically domed stadiums or large arenas in major cities. Some recent Regional sites have included Indianapolis, Indiana; Los Angeles, California; and New York City, New York.
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Final Four Site:
The Final Four is held at a predetermined site, which is typically a large stadium or arena in a major city. The site of the Final Four rotates each year, and some recent Final Four sites have included New Orleans, Louisiana; Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Phoenix, Arizona.
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National Championship Site:
The National Championship game is played at a predetermined site, which is typically a large stadium or arena in a major city. The site of the National Championship rotates each year, and some recent National Championship sites have included New Orleans, Louisiana; Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Phoenix, Arizona.
The NCAA Tournament is a major sporting event that generates a lot of excitement and anticipation among fans across the country. The games are typically very competitive and unpredictable, and the tournament is always full of surprises. So, be sure to check the NCAA Tournament schedule to find out where the games are being played and to catch all the action.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about the 2024 NCAA Tournament:
Question 1: When is the 2024 NCAA Tournament?
Answer 1: The 2024 NCAA Tournament will take place from Monday, March 18 to Monday, April 8.
Question 2: How many teams participate in the 2024 NCAA Tournament?
Answer 2: A total of 68 teams participate in the 2024 NCAA Tournament.
Question 3: How are teams selected for the 2024 NCAA Tournament?
Answer 3: Teams are selected for the 2024 NCAA Tournament based on their overall record, strength of schedule, and recent results. 32 teams receive automatic bids by winning their respective conference tournaments, while the remaining 36 teams are selected by the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee.
Question 4: What are the First Four games?
Answer 4: The First Four games are a play-in round that takes place before the main bracket of the NCAA Tournament. The four lowest-seeded at-large teams play in the First Four games to determine the final four teams that advance to the main bracket.
Question 5: Where is the Final Four held in 2024?
Answer 5: The location of the Final Four in 2024 has not yet been determined.
Question 6: Where is the National Championship game held in 2024?
Answer 6: The location of the National Championship game in 2024 has not yet been determined.
Question 7: How can I watch the 2024 NCAA Tournament?
Answer 7: The 2024 NCAA Tournament will be televised on CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV. You can also stream the games online through NCAA March Madness Live.
Closing Paragraph for FAQ: These are just a few of the frequently asked questions about the 2024 NCAA Tournament. For more information, please visit the NCAA Tournament website.
Now that you know all about the 2024 NCAA Tournament, here are some tips for filling out your bracket:
Tips
Here are four tips for filling out your 2024 NCAA Tournament bracket:
Tip 1: Do your research.
Before you start filling out your bracket, take some time to research the teams and their recent performances. This will help you make more informed decisions about who to pick.
Tip 2: Pay attention to the seeds.
The NCAA Tournament Selection Committee seeds the teams based on their overall record, strength of schedule, and recent results. The higher-seeded teams are generally considered to be the favorites, but there are always upsets in the tournament.
Tip 3: Don’t be afraid to take some risks.
If you want to win your bracket pool, you need to be willing to take some risks. Don’t just pick the chalk (the favorites) in every game. Try to identify some potential Cinderella teams that could make a deep run in the tournament.
Tip 4: Have fun!
The NCAA Tournament is a great time to come together with friends and family and enjoy some exciting basketball. Don’t take it too seriously. Just relax and enjoy the games.
Closing Paragraph for Tips: Filling out an NCAA Tournament bracket can be a lot of fun, but it can also be challenging. By following these tips, you can increase your chances of winning your bracket pool and having a great time watching the tournament.
Now that you have some tips for filling out your bracket, it’s time to start making your picks. Good luck!
Conclusion
The 2024 NCAA Tournament promises to be one of the most exciting and unpredictable tournaments in recent memory. With a wide-open field and several top-tier teams vying for the championship, anything can happen. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just a casual observer, the NCAA Tournament is a great opportunity to enjoy some of the best college basketball in the world.
So, mark your calendars for March 18 – April 8, 2024, and get ready for three weeks of non-stop excitement. Fill out your bracket, gather your friends and family, and enjoy the madness of the NCAA Tournament.