March is here, and College Basketball is at the peak of its season with March Madness. March Madness refers to the NCAA Division 1 Men’s and Women’s Basketball tournament that has been held every spring, dating back all the way to 1939.
This tournament features sixty-eight college teams with single elimination games, unlike the usual NBA playoff, where the teams play best of seven. The ultimate goal of the March Madness tournament is to become the last team standing, aka the national champions.
March Madness is unpredictable, underdogs usually rise to the occasion off surprising upsets against high ranked teams that help define the tournament each year.
The Stages of the Tournament
What’s also unique about the tournament is the names of each round. The First Four is where eight teams fight for the last four tournament spots. This is essentially the “pre-tournament” that occurs March 17-18 and the perfect build-up into the actual tourney.
The first round, or round of 64, starts March 19-20, giving all qualified teams their first chance to prove themselves. At this stage, the pressure is at an all-time high. It’s also known for major upsets, often leaving college basketball fans with completely busted brackets.
Next up, we have the round of 32. These games feature the last teams remaining from the first round, and they often produce some of the toughest matchups. At this point in the tournament, it makes it easier to filter out the championship contenders.
People usually say “Sweet Sixteen” to celebrate a sixteenth birthday, but in March Madness it marks the point when only sixteen teams remain in the tournament. This part of the bracket is where the stakes and emotions are fueling up as we get closer to the championship game.
For instance, in 2022 Saint Peter’s University made history when they became the first 15-seed team to advance to the elite eight after beating a powerhouse Purdue team.
The final two rounds the Elite Eight and the Final Four bring the tournament to its most intense stage. In the Elite Eight, only eight teams remain, and each game decides which program advances to the Final Four
At this point in the tournament, all of the games from here on out are championship tier games, as the teams are only one game away from competing on one of the biggest stages in college basketball.
The last two surviving teams move on to the national championship game. With the entire country watching the last teams compete for a chance at history in the final game of the year.
Top Contenders for Men’s NCAA Basketball Tournament
Among the sixty-four teams some are worth keeping an eye on if you’re filling out a bracket.
At the top of men’s basketball rankings, Duke is currently the number one team in the country. Cameron Boozer is their star player, averaging 22 points per game this season. Their coach Jon Scheyer is also a strong candidate for coach of the year.
Watch for No.3 Michigan, another strong contender in the tournament. They have only two losses this season, one of which was against Duke. Yaxel Lendeborg is their standout player, averaging about 15 points per game and earning the Big Ten Player of the Year award this season.
Top Contenders in Women’s NCAA Basketball Tournament
For women’s basketball, UCONN is the team to watch. They won last year’s tournament and have been a dominant program for years. Key players to keep and eye on are forward Sarah Strong and guard Azzi Fudd. Strong is a top candidate for National Player of the Year averaging 19 points per game. Fudd is the team’s sharpshooter of team averaging 17 points this season.
Another top-tier favorite is South Carolina, a team that came in second in last year’s championship game to UCONN.
Despite a tough ending to last season, South Carolina is still one of the most dominant in women’s basketball. They showcase strong defensive skills and consistently compete as a contender in the tournament. Under head coach Dawn Staley, South Carolina has created a powerhouse team that always competes at a high level.
South Carolina stars include Raven Johnson, a guard who recently won the 2026 SEC Defensive Player of the Year award. She is averaging 10 points per game this season and shooting 50 percent from the floor.
As the tournament unfolds fans can expect intense matchups, unforgettable upsets and standout performances from some of the best players in college basketball. In the end only one team will climb to the top and claim the national championship.
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