NCAA Tournament 2024 Schedule: A Comprehensive Guide to March Madness

The NCAA Tournament is one of the most anticipated sporting events in the world, drawing millions of viewers each year. The 2024 edition promises to be no different, with 68 teams vying for the coveted NCAA championship title. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll provide you with all the essential information about the NCAA Tournament 2024 schedule, including key dates, venues, and important broadcast details.

The NCAA Tournament is a single-elimination tournament that begins in mid-March and culminates with the Final Four and championship game in early April. The tournament consists of four regions—East, West, South, and Midwest—with each region hosting a portion of the games. The top 68 teams in the country, as determined by the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee, receive bids to participate in the tournament.

With the stage set for another unforgettable edition of the NCAA Tournament, let’s delve into the specific dates, venues, and broadcast information for the 2024 schedule.

Ncaa Tournament 2024 Schedule

Excitement and drama await in March Madness 2024.

Tournament Dates: March 18 – April 8
Participating Teams: Top 68 NCAA Division I teams
Tournament Format: Single-elimination
Regions: East, West, South, Midwest
Selection Sunday: March 10
Championship Game: April 8 in Phoenix, Arizona

Catch all the thrilling action live on CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV.

Tournament Dates: March 18 – April 8

The 2024 NCAA Tournament will take place over a three-week period, starting on Monday, March 18, and culminating with the championship game on Tuesday, April 8. The tournament is divided into four rounds:

First Four: March 18-19
First Round: March 20-21
Second Round: March 22-23
Sweet 16: March 27-28
Elite Eight: March 29-30
Final Four: April 5-6
Championship Game: April 8

The First Four games are played at various regional sites to determine the final four teams that will advance to the First Round. The First and Second Rounds are also played at regional sites, with the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight games taking place at four predetermined locations. The Final Four and championship game will be held at a single site, which has yet to be announced.

The tournament schedule is designed to provide maximum excitement and drama, with the best teams advancing through each round until only two remain for the championship game. The NCAA Tournament is known for its upsets and Cinderella stories, making it one of the most unpredictable and thrilling sporting events in the world.

So mark your calendars and prepare for three weeks of non-stop college basketball action as the road to the NCAA championship unfolds.

Participating Teams: Top 68 NCAA Division I teams

The NCAA Tournament is open to all Division I teams that meet the NCAA’s eligibility requirements. However, only the top 68 teams, as determined by the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee, receive bids to participate in the tournament.

The selection process begins with the release of the NCAA’s NET rankings, which are used to evaluate teams’ performance throughout the regular season. The NET rankings are based on a variety of factors, including wins and losses, strength of schedule, and margin of victory. Teams are also evaluated based on their performance in key games, such as conference tournaments and rivalry matchups.

Once the NET rankings are finalized, the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee meets to determine the 68 teams that will receive bids to the tournament. The committee considers a number of factors when making its selections, including team records, NET rankings, conference affiliations, and geographical diversity. The committee also reserves the right to select a few teams that are considered “bubble teams” and are on the cusp of making the tournament.

The final field of 68 teams is announced on Selection Sunday, which is typically held on the second Sunday in March. The teams are then seeded from 1 to 16 in each of the four regions, with the top four seeds receiving byes to the Second Round. The remaining teams compete in the First Four games to determine the final four teams that will advance to the First Round.

With 68 teams representing the best of college basketball, the NCAA Tournament is sure to provide plenty of exciting matchups and unforgettable moments.

Tournament Format: Single-elimination

The NCAA Tournament is a single-elimination tournament, meaning that a team is eliminated from the tournament after losing a single game. This format creates a sense of urgency and excitement, as every game is a must-win for the teams involved.

The tournament begins with the First Four games, in which eight teams compete for the final four spots in the First Round. The First and Second Rounds are played at regional sites, with the top four seeds in each region receiving byes to the Second Round. The Sweet 16 and Elite Eight games are also played at regional sites, with the winners of each region advancing to the Final Four.

The Final Four is played at a single site, with the two winners advancing to the championship game. The championship game is a single-elimination game, meaning that the team that wins the game is crowned the NCAA champion.

The single-elimination format of the NCAA Tournament creates a sense of drama and unpredictability, as any team can win on any given day. This format has led to many memorable upsets and Cinderella stories throughout the history of the tournament.

With the single-elimination format, every game in the NCAA Tournament is a must-win, making it one of the most exciting sporting events in the world.

Regions: East, West, South, Midwest

The NCAA Tournament is divided into four regions: East, West, South, and Midwest. Each region consists of 16 teams, with the top four teams in each region receiving byes to the Second Round. The remaining teams compete in the First Four games to determine the final four teams that will advance to the First Round in each region.

The First and Second Rounds are played at regional sites, with the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight games also being played at regional sites. The Final Four and championship game are played at a single site, which has yet to be announced.

The regional format of the NCAA Tournament creates a sense of geographical diversity and excitement, as teams from all over the country compete for a chance to advance to the Final Four and championship game. The regional sites also allow fans from different parts of the country to attend the tournament games and cheer on their favorite teams.

The four regions of the NCAA Tournament are:

East Region: This region typically includes teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), Big East Conference, and Southeastern Conference (SEC).
West Region: This region typically includes teams from the Pac-12 Conference, Mountain West Conference, and West Coast Conference.
South Region: This region typically includes teams from the Big 12 Conference, Big Ten Conference, and SEC.
Midwest Region: This region typically includes teams from the Big East Conference, Big Ten Conference, and Missouri Valley Conference.

With four distinct regions, the NCAA Tournament provides a diverse and exciting field of teams competing for the national championship.

Selection Sunday: March 10

Selection Sunday is the day when the NCAA Tournament field of 68 teams is announced. It is typically held on the second Sunday in March, two weeks before the start of the tournament. The NCAA Tournament Selection Committee meets to determine the teams that will receive bids to the tournament and their seeds.

The final field of 68 teams is announced on Selection Sunday in a televised special that is broadcast live on CBS. The teams are then seeded from 1 to 16 in each of the four regions, with the top four seeds receiving byes to the Second Round.

Selection Sunday is a highly anticipated day for college basketball fans, as it marks the official start of the NCAA Tournament and the road to the national championship.

Championship Game: April 8 in Phoenix, Arizona

The 2024 NCAA Tournament championship game will be held on Tuesday, April 8, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, which is located in the Phoenix metropolitan area. This will be the first time that the championship game has been held in the state of Arizona.

The championship game is the culmination of the three-week NCAA Tournament, which begins with the First Four games on March 18 and 19. The tournament field consists of 68 teams, which are divided into four regions: East, West, South, and Midwest. The teams compete in a single-elimination format, with the winners of each region advancing to the Final Four.

The Final Four is held at a single site, with the two winners advancing to the championship game. The championship game is a single-elimination game, meaning that the team that wins the game is crowned the NCAA champion.

State Farm Stadium is a state-of-the-art facility that is home to the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals. The stadium has a seating capacity of over 63,000 and is known for its retractable roof and innovative design. It is sure to provide a memorable atmosphere for the 2024 NCAA Tournament championship game.

With the championship game being held in Phoenix, Arizona, college basketball fans from all over the country will have the opportunity to attend the biggest game of the year and witness history in the making.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about the 2024 NCAA Tournament:

Question 1: When is the NCAA Tournament in 2024?
Answer 1: The 2024 NCAA Tournament will take place from March 18 to April 8.

Question 2: How many teams participate in the NCAA Tournament?
Answer 2: A total of 68 teams participate in the NCAA Tournament.

Question 3: What is the format of the NCAA Tournament?
Answer 3: The NCAA Tournament is a single-elimination tournament, meaning that a team is eliminated from the tournament after losing a single game.

Question 4: How are the teams selected for the NCAA Tournament?
Answer 4: The teams are selected for the NCAA Tournament by the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee based on their performance during the regular season and conference tournaments.

Question 5: Where is the 2024 NCAA Tournament championship game being held?
Answer 5: The 2024 NCAA Tournament championship game will be held at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

Question 6: How can I watch the NCAA Tournament?
Answer 6: The NCAA Tournament games will be televised on CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV.

Question 7: How can I get tickets to the NCAA Tournament?
Answer 7: Tickets for the NCAA Tournament can be purchased through the NCAA’s official website or through secondary ticket marketplaces.

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These are just a few of the frequently asked questions about the 2024 NCAA Tournament. For more information, please visit the NCAA’s official website.

Now that you know the basics about the 2024 NCAA Tournament, here are a few tips to help you enjoy the tournament even more:

Tips

Here are a few tips to help you enjoy the 2024 NCAA Tournament even more:

Tip 1: Pick a bracket and follow it throughout the tournament.
This is a great way to stay engaged in the tournament and root for your favorite teams. You can pick your bracket online or print one out from a newspaper or magazine.

Tip 2: Watch the games with friends and family.
The NCAA Tournament is a great time to get together with friends and family and enjoy some exciting basketball. Make a party out of it by serving food and drinks and cheering on your favorite teams.

Tip 3: Take advantage of the NCAA Tournament’s official app.
The NCAA Tournament app provides live scores, highlights, and up-to-date news and information. You can also use the app to watch live streams of the games.

Tip 4: Follow the NCAA Tournament on social media.
The NCAA Tournament has a strong presence on social media, including Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Follow the tournament’s official accounts to stay up-to-date on the latest news and highlights.

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By following these tips, you can make the most of the 2024 NCAA Tournament and enjoy all the excitement that it has to offer.

The NCAA Tournament is one of the most exciting sporting events in the world, and it’s sure to be another unforgettable tournament in 2024. So mark your calendars, pick your bracket, and get ready to cheer on your favorite teams.

Conclusion

The 2024 NCAA Tournament promises to be another unforgettable edition of March Madness. With 68 teams vying for the national championship, there is sure to be plenty of excitement and drama along the way.

The tournament begins on March 18 with the First Four games, and culminates with the championship game on April 8 in Phoenix, Arizona. The tournament will be played in four regions: East, West, South, and Midwest. The top four teams in each region will receive byes to the Second Round, while the remaining teams will compete in the First Four games to determine the final four teams that will advance to the First Round.

The 2024 NCAA Tournament is sure to provide plenty of memorable moments, upsets, and Cinderella stories. So mark your calendars and get ready for three weeks of non-stop college basketball action.

Closing Message

Whether you are a fan of college basketball or just enjoy watching great sporting events, the 2024 NCAA Tournament is sure to have something for everyone. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the madness.