All articles tagged with #marchmadness
The NCAA is considering expanding the March Madness tournament to 72 or 76 teams as soon as 2026, marking a significant shift from previous indications that expansion was unlikely, driven by financial and traditional considerations.
#1 Purdue is set to face #2 Tennessee in the Elite Eight, aiming to break barriers and secure a spot in the Final Four, with the game scheduled for 2:20 p.m. ET in Detroit, Michigan. The matchup promises high stakes and anxiety for fans, as both teams vie for a coveted spot in the next round of the NCAA Basketball tournament.
Only 0.001% of March Madness brackets remain perfect after just two days into the NCAA Tournament, with over 22 million brackets busted on ESPN's platform alone. Upsets, including Duquesne's win over BYU, have dashed the hopes of many bracket participants. The odds of a perfect bracket are incredibly slim, with no perfect bracket ever recorded in the history of the tournament. Despite the long odds, various challenges offer substantial prizes for the best brackets.
A Kentucky fan became an internet sensation after a screenshot of her reaction to the team's shocking loss to No. 14 Oakland went viral, with speculation that she is the sister of a Kentucky player. The upset adds pressure on head coach John Calipari, who acknowledged the team's missed opportunities and praised Oakland's performance. Meanwhile, Oakland advances to face No. 11 NC State, while Kentucky faces uncertainty in the offseason.
Day 1 of the NCAA Men's Tournament saw several upsets, including 14th-seeded Oakland defeating 3rd-seeded Kentucky, while 11th-seeded Oregon beat 6th-seeded South Carolina. Other notable games included 7th-seeded Dayton's comeback win over 10th-seeded Nevada and 9th-seeded Michigan State's victory over 8th-seeded Mississippi State. Overall, it was an eventful day with thrilling matchups and surprising outcomes.
No. 11 seed NC State continues its surprising postseason run with an 80-67 upset of No. 6 seed Texas Tech, marking their sixth consecutive win. After securing the ACC tournament title, the Wolfpack's momentum has carried into the NCAA tournament, where they will face No. 14 seed Oakland in the second round. Led by standout performances from DJ Burns Jr. and Ben Middlebrooks, NC State's resilient play in the paint propelled them to victory, setting the stage for an intriguing matchup with the Golden Grizzlies.
Wagner defeated Howard 71-68 in a thrilling First Four matchup, with Howard staging a late comeback that fell short. Wagner's Melvin Council Jr. led the way with 21 points, setting up a first-round clash with North Carolina.
NCAA officials are considering changes to the men's basketball tournament, including expanding the field and possibly doing away with automatic bids, in the name of increased revenue. However, the unpredictability of March Madness is what makes it special, drawing in both casual fans and experts. The tournament's capricious nature, storylines, and upsets like Fairleigh Dickinson's win over Purdue exemplify its charm, and many, including former coach Paul Hewitt, hope that NCAA officials will leave the tournament alone, preserving its unpredictability and beauty.
Kentucky Wildcats, after falling to Texas A&M in the SEC Tournament, are now projected as a 3-seed or 4-seed in various Bracketology projections for the upcoming NCAA March Madness tournament, with potential matchups against teams like Vermont, Colgate, or VCU in different regions. The final projection for Kentucky heading into Selection Sunday varies across different sources, with some placing them as a 3-seed and others as a 4-seed.
Andy Katz released his final men's basketball Power 36 rankings before Selection Sunday, with North Carolina and Kentucky rising in the rankings. Houston, UConn, and Purdue lead the top three spots. The top 10 conference tournaments and winners were also ranked, and the March Madness National Team of the Week was awarded to Drake, while Reed Sheppard of Kentucky was named the March Madness National Player of the Week.
Tennessee's Dalton Knecht is making a strong case for being named a First Team All-American with an outstanding performance, averaging 20.8 points on the season and 26.6 points in the past 14 SEC games. Despite being ranked No. 4, Tennessee is pushing for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, with Purdue, UConn, and Houston currently leading the rankings.
As the college basketball season reaches its midpoint, attention turns to the top 24 players to watch in 2024. Purdue's Zach Edey leads the pack with his generational talent, while players like Hunter Dickinson of Kansas and Kevin McCullar Jr. also make the list for their significant contributions to their teams. The list includes a mix of familiar names and rising stars who could shape the college hoops landscape and potentially become March Madness heroes. With conference play heating up, these players are set to play pivotal roles in their teams' successes as the tournament approaches.
Gonzaga and TCU will face off in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Gonzaga is looking for their 8th consecutive berth in the Sweet 16, while TCU is hoping to book their fifth trip to the Sweet 16 and first since 1968. TCU's offense relies heavily on junior guard Mike Miles Jr., while Gonzaga will lean on their frontcourt. TCU struggles with three-point shooting but excels at defending the three-point line, while Gonzaga is ranked 9th in the country at converting 3s.