Everything You Need To Know To Get Ready For March Madness 2024

03/20/2024 10:03 AM

The NCAA college basketball tournament, or March Madness, gets underway in just a few days. It’s best known for its unpredictability, which gives fans and spectators bracket-shattering buzzer-beaters and the most excellent Cinderella runs.

As the countdown for this year’s March Madness 2024 begins, here’s everything you must know to prepare.
 

Selection Sunday Schedule

The NCAA Division I basketball tournament fields will be announced on March 17, 2024. The men’s bracket will be released first at 6 p.m. ET, followed by the women’s bracket around 8 p.m. ET. CBS will broadcast the announcement of the men’s field live, while ESPN will show the women’s.

Who Decides Which Team Enters March Madness?

A selection committee of 12 people decides who participates in March Madness, where each team will play, and who is seeded. The committee comprises conference commissioners and school athletic directors. The Southwestern Athletic Conference commissioner, Charles McClelland, is the committee's chairperson.

If you’re worried about favoritism, don’t be. There are strict rules and regulations to prevent committee members from engaging in it. For example, they cannot participate when discussing their conference or school.
 

How Many Teams Make the Tournament?

The victors of the 32 conference tournaments are automatically entered into the tournament, regardless of their records. The committee decides the remaining 36 spots at large bids.

Once the 68 teams are selected, the committee ranks them 1-68. Then, every four teams are assessed in the same seed line. For instance, numbers 1-4 are the No.1 seeds, and so on. Moreover, note that all tournament locations are pre-set. Therefore, the higher the team's seed, the better the location they're playing in.
 

When Does March Madness Begin?

The NCAA Division I basketball tournament kicks off on March 19. However, the first full day of games gets underway on March 21. With 68 basketball teams invited to March Madness, the tournament conducts four play-in games to narrow the field to 64.

Then, the NCAA holds four regional tournaments of sixteen teams each. The victors of the tournaments will advance to the Final Four. Teams who advance in this stage have reason for assurance and optimism.

The winners of the Final Four then proceed to the Big Dance. So, to enthusiasts and fans looking to bet on the ncaa tournament point spreads, here’s the full schedule:

Men’s Basketball

• March 19-20: First Four

• March 21-22: First Round

• March 23-24: Second Round

• March 28-29: Sweet 16

• March 30-31: Elite Eight

• April 6: Final Four

• April 8: NCAA Championship Game

Women’s Basketball

• March 20-21: First Four

• March 22-23: First Round

• March 24-25: Second Round

• March 29-30: Sweet 16

• March 31-April 1: Elite Eight

• April 5: Final Four

• April 7: NCAA Championship Game

Who Are The Top Teams This Year?

Do you need help filling out your March Madness bracket? If so, know that you’re not alone. Here are the top teams according to the Associated Press:

Men's Basketball

1. Houston

2. UConn

3. Purdue

4. North Carolina

5. Tennessee

6. Arizona

7. Iowa State

8. Creighton

9. Kentucky

10. Marquette

11. Duke

12. Auburn

13. Illinois

14. Baylor

15. South Carolina

16. Kansas

17. Gonzaga

18. Utah State

19. Alabama

20. BYU

21. Saint Mary’s

22. Washington State

23. Nevada

24. Dayton

25. Texas Tech

Women’s Basketball

1. South Carolina

2. Iowa

3. USC

4. Stanford

5. Texas

6. UCLA

7. Ohio State

8. LSU

9. Notre Dame

10. UConn

11. North Carolina State

12. Oregon State

13. Virginia Tech

14. Gonzaga

15. Indiana

16. Kansas State

17. Oklahoma

18. Colorado

19. Baylor

20. Utah

21. UNLV

22. Syracuse

23. Creighton

24. Louisville

25. Fairfield

How to Stream or Watch March Madness?

The NCAA Division I basketball tournament will be shown across different channels, mainly TNT, TBS, CBS, and TruTV. With a live streaming service or a cable subscription, you can easily watch these channels in the comfort of your home.

If you’re looking for the most affordable option, it’s best to sign up for Showtime and Max Paramount Plus streaming services for a month. For $12 per month, you can watch the CBS games on Paramount Plus. On the other hand, for $10 per month, you can watch the tournament games broadcast on TruTV, TNT, and TBS.

You can conveniently watch March Madness live for only $22. Even though you may have to manage many different apps, this is the most cost-effective way to get in on all the action.

Can You Stream for Free?

The answer is yes. You can watch the games by using the March Madness Live mobile application or visiting the NCAA’s March Madness Live website. However, there’s a tiny problem.

You can only experience a three-hour preview of the games without subscribing to a streaming service. After that, you must log in to continue watching the games, which is a shame.

Betting on March Madness

Betting adds fun and excitement during March Madness. However, you can’t just wager your money blind. Extensive research is required to be successful in this endeavor. Several key factors determine whether a team has a solid chance of winning the championship title. Here are some of them:

Watch Out for the Betting Promos

For interested and eager bettors, betting sites offer the best promotions or bonuses you can use during the tournament. These promos can help increase your betting money.

Veteran Guards

Ensure the basketball team you support is stocked with veteran and talented guards. These players can independently make their shots, efficiently read the game flow, and control the tempo.

Team Defense

Another thing to look for in a solid team is team defense. A team with the best statistical defensive numbers translates to more chances of winning. Plus, you won’t have any worries about their performance on the court.

Pay Attention to Potential Injuries

Knowing the potential injuries is critical to March Madness betting. For example, if the star player gets injured, the team's odds of winning a game are low if they’re overly reliant on their star player.

Adjust Your Strategy as the Odds Move

College basketball odds are more volatile than those in the NBA due to the unpredictability surrounding college teams. So, triple-check the market you’re studying to account for any changes.

Conclusion

March is here, and the madness will follow shortly. As in past years, there’ll surely be no shortage of basketball storylines to follow this year. So, ready your brackets and catch all the action in March Madness 2024.