What Is A March Madness Bracket, And When Do They Lock? - The Sun

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MARCH Madness – one of the biggest sporting events of the year – is underway and fans are wondering how they can get in on the event.

One way fans can get involved in the competition is by taking part in brackets, and here’s everything you need to know about it.

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OMAHA, NEBRASKA - MARCH 20: A detail of a basketball with a March Madness logo during practice ahead of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at CHI Health Center on March 20, 2024 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
March Madness is a single-elimination tournamentCredit: Getty

What is March Madness?

Sports fans everywhere are gearing up for an exciting time in college athletics.

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March Madness is another name for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Tournament for college men’s basketball.

The tournament was started in 1939 and now includes 68 college basketball teams from the Division I level.

March Madness is a single-elimination tournament.

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On April 3, 2023, the San Diego State Aztecs were defeated by the UConn Huskies during the 2023 NCAA championship.

The two teams went head to head at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, with the game resulting in a 76-59 win.

What is a March Madness Bracket?

Fans can also participate in the excitement of March Madness.

The NCAA March Madness Bracket is the official template for fans to make their predictions of who they believe will win the tournament.

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On the NCAA website, fans can fill out up to ten unique brackets.

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In these brackets, fans will predict which team will win in every matchup of the tournament, leading up all the way to the finals.

Most contests will have rules that require you to have the bracket filled out before the first round begins on March 21, 2023.

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 20: A detail of a March Madness logo is seen during practice day ahead of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Spectrum Center on March 20, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
The First Four commenced on March 19, 2024

When does March Madness 2024 start?

March Madness will take place from March 19 to April 8, 2023.

March Madness Selection Sunday marks the official beginning of the tournament. This year, it commenced on March 17.

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Below is the schedule for March Madness 2024:

  • First Four: March 19-20
  • First round: March 21-22
  • Second round: March 23-24
  • Sweet 16: March 28-29
  • Elite Eight: March 30-31
  • Final Four: April 6
  • NCAA championship game: April 8

Viewers can tune in to the tournament via the NCAA app or watch it on either TBS, TNT, TruTV, or CBS.

Tag » When Do March Madness Brackets Lock