Introduction to March Madness

As the college basketball season comes to a close, excitement for March Madness takes center stage. The NCAA hosts its annual men’s and women’s tournaments, which are highly anticipated events that garner significant attention across the United States.

Creating Your Own Bracket

Participating in the NCAA tournament by filling out a bracket is a thrilling tradition enjoyed by millions. It unites colleagues, family members, and friends in a spirited quest to predict the winners of each matchup.

For those looking to join in on the fun, a customizable bracket can be created online at the NCAA’s official site. Just follow this link: NCAA Bracket Creator.

Additionally, printable versions of the brackets are available for those who prefer to fill them out by hand.

Understanding NCAA Brackets

The NCAA tournament employs a selection and seeding process conducted by a dedicated committee of 12 members. Teams are organized into four regions: Midwest, East, South, and West. The aim is to ensure equal competitiveness among the teams.

Thirty-one teams secure automatic entry by winning their conference championships, while the remaining thirty-seven teams are chosen by the selection committee based on various performance metrics.

Seedings range from 1 to 16 in each region, matched up so the top seeds compete against the lowest seeds. This structure has been enhanced since the tournament’s expansion in 2011, introducing the “First Four” round, which involves the lowest-seeded teams competing for a place in the main bracket.

Local Team Spotlight: University of Houston

This year marks a historic achievement for the University of Houston, as they have secured the No. 1 seed in the Midwest region of the NCAA tournament. They will face the No. 16 seed, Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville, in the first round.

Houston’s first-round game is scheduled for Thursday, March 20, at the Intrust Bank Arena in Wichita, Kansas. Should they prevail, they will advance to Round 2 on Saturday, March 22, at the same venue. This tournament marks the seventh consecutive NCAA tournament invitation for the UH men’s basketball team, and their third consecutive year as a top seed.