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"March Madness bracket" refers to the bracket used in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament, colloquially known as "March Madness." The tournament features 68 college basketball teams competing in a single-elimination format to determine the national champion.
The bracket is a visual representation of the tournament matchups, showing how each team progresses through the rounds until a champion is crowned. It is divided into four regions, with teams seeded based on their performance during the regular season and conference tournaments.
Fans, sports analysts, and even casual observers often participate in bracket challenges where they predict the outcomes of each game in the tournament. These brackets can be filled out online or on paper, with participants competing to see who can make the most accurate predictions.
The term "March Madness" itself refers to the excitement and unpredictability of the tournament, particularly due to the prevalence of upsets and unexpected outcomes. The tournament typically takes place throughout the month of March, hence the name.
Here are some general facts about the men's NCAA tournament that might be of interest:
1. Bracketology: March Madness is known for its bracket frenzy, where fans, analysts, and even casual observers fill out brackets predicting the outcomes of each game in the tournament. Websites and sports networks often host bracket challenges where participants compete for prizes or simply bragging rights.
2. Selection Sunday: The tournament field is comprised of 68 teams, announced on Selection Sunday, which typically falls on the second Sunday of March. The teams are selected by a committee, with automatic bids given to conference champions and at-large bids extended to teams based on their regular-season and conference tournament performance.
3. Seeding and Regions: Teams are seeded from 1 to 16 within four regions. The top-seeded team in each region is generally considered the strongest team, and the 16th seed is typically the lowest-ranked team in the tournament.
4. Upsets: One of the most exciting aspects of March Madness is the potential for upsets. Lower-seeded teams defeating higher-seeded teams, known as "Cinderella stories," are a common occurrence and can dramatically impact tournament brackets.
5. Single-Elimination Format: The tournament follows a single-elimination format, meaning teams are eliminated from the tournament after a single loss. This adds to the drama and intensity of each game, as there are no second chances.
6. Final Four: The tournament culminates in the Final Four, where the last four remaining teams compete in two semifinal games. The winners of these games face off in the championship game to determine the national champion.
7. Historic Programs and Moments: March Madness is rich in history, with legendary programs like Duke, North Carolina, Kentucky, and UCLA often dominating discussions. Memorable moments, buzzer-beaters, and underdog victories contribute to the tournament's lore.
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