March Madness 2024 has officially begun for men’s college basketball with the announcement of the 68-team field for the NCAA Tournament on Selection Sunday. UConn, the reigning national champions, has secured the No. 1 overall seed and will compete in the East Regional. Other top seeds include Houston in the South, Purdue in the Midwest, and North Carolina in the West.
Michigan State’s head coach Tom Izzo leads the Spartans to their 25th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance, while Arizona’s Caleb Love may face his former team, North Carolina. The West Region features a miraculous story with Grand Canyon’s Tyon Grant-Foster, who collapsed during a game two years ago due to a cardiac arrest.
In the Midwest Region, Purdue aims to break their Final Four drought since 1980, potentially facing Tennessee in the regional final. UConn will face tough competition in the East Region from teams like Iowa State, Illinois, and Auburn. The South Region boasts several teams with NCAA championship banners, making it a region filled with history.
For teams that miss out on the NCAA Tournament, there is always the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) as an alternative. The NIT features a field of 32 teams and culminates in the championship game on April 4th. Some notable teams opted out of the NIT after missing the Big Dance.
As the tournament progresses, matchups like North Carolina vs. Howard/Wagner and Alabama vs. College of Charleston promise exciting basketball action. Purdue and Tennessee could potentially clash in the Midwest Region final, while Gonzaga unexpectedly secures a No. 5 seed. The South Region sees Houston as a top contender, with Marquette, Duke, and Kentucky posing strong challenges.
UConn’s journey to defend their national championship begins in the East Region, where they face tough competition from teams like Illinois, Iowa State, and San Diego State. The men’s tournament also sees the absence of CBS studio host Greg Gumbel due to family health issues, with Adam Zucker stepping in.
The Selection Sunday show reveals the Final Four picks from CBS experts, with UConn being the unanimous choice for the national champion. The NIT selection show unveils a field of 32 teams who missed the NCAA Tournament cut. Teams like North Carolina State and Duquesne secure their spots in the tournament after impressive conference tournament runs.
Coaches like John Calipari and Tom Izzo reflect on their long-standing careers and lucrative contracts in college basketball. Auburn, Oregon, UConn, Illinois, and Iowa State clinch conference championships, setting the stage for an exciting NCAA Tournament. With the field of 68 teams now set, fans eagerly anticipate the thrilling matchups and upsets that March Madness is known for.
