Current:Home > reviewsMarch Madness is here. Bracket reveal the 1st step in what should be an NCAA Tournament free-for-all -Elevate Capital Network
March Madness is here. Bracket reveal the 1st step in what should be an NCAA Tournament free-for-all
View
Date:2025-04-12 15:37:15
The story of March Madness figures to look a lot like the story of the regular season that led up to it: a healthy cross-section of very good teams, few dominant ones and no strong consensus on who’s the best bet to be cutting down nets at the Final Four in Arizona.
Defending champion Connecticut is a slight favorite to repeat, according to FanDuel Sportsbook, followed by Houston and Purdue. Barring something unexpected, all three teams will earn No. 1 seeds when the brackets come out Sunday evening. Tennessee and North Carolina are in the mix for the fourth top spot, along with Arizona.
The tournament begins Tuesday with the First Four, followed by 32 first-round games on Thursday and Friday. The Final Four is set for Glendale, Arizona, on April 6-8.
As always, the more interesting discussions will be about the bubble and who will be among the last to squeak into the field of 68 teams — 32 of which qualify automatically by winning their postseason conference tournaments.
Among those vying for the last of the remaining 34 spots were Indiana State and its goggles-wearing forward, Robbie Avila. The Sycamores cracked into the AP Top 25 this season for the first time since a talented forward named Larry Bird led them to the national final against Magic Johnson and Michigan State in 1979. But they lost to Drake in their conference tourney final and, so, must wait to see if their name is called.
Other teams lingering around the bubble included Virginia, Seton Hall and Pittsburgh.
Several weeks ago, Gonzaga was considered a bubble team, but a stretch of nine wins in 10 games elevated the Zags, and though they lost their conference tournament final to Saint Mary’s, they will make the field for the 25th consecutive year. That would be one fewer than Michigan State, which is trying to reach its nation-leading 26th straight tournament — if it makes it in off the bubble.
As for the business of actually filling out those brackets — good luck.
Last year, Purdue came into the tournament as a favorite only to become just the second No. 1 seed in history to be knocked out in the first round. The Final Four consisted of UConn, Miami, Florida Atlantic and San Diego State — a grouping selected by only six of about 3.6 million in the NCAA’s bracket challenge. None of those teams were seeded better than fourth.
Some believe this is the endgame in a sport that has been upended by roster upheaval across the board. The birth of athlete compensation deals and more liberal transfer rules has sparked an era in which coaches must concern themselves as much with assembling teams in the span of months as building programs over years.
So be it.
“We have another opportunity to compete for a championship,” FAU coach Dusty May said. “And when every single team in the country starts their season -- and usually the season starts almost as soon as the other one ends -- your goal is to make the NCAA Tournament. There’s, whatever, 360-some teams now and 68 get in. We’re confident that we’re going to be one of those teams that have a chance to compete for the biggest championship in our game, in our sport, college basketball.”
___
AP Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds contributed.
___
AP March Madness bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-womens-bracket/ and coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness
veryGood! (93)
Related
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- Coal Lobbying Groups Losing Members as Industry Tumbles
- New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu says he doesn't see Trump indictment as political
- Kendall Jenner Shares Cheeky Bikini Photos From Tropical Getaway
- Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
- Henrietta Lacks' hometown will build statue of her to replace Robert E. Lee monument
- 10 key takeaways from the Trump indictment: What the federal charges allegedly reveal
- Lessons from Germany to help solve the U.S. medical debt crisis
- A Georgia governor’s latest work after politics: a children’s book on his cats ‘Veto’ and ‘Bill’
- Shipping Group Leaps Into Europe’s Top 10 Polluters List
Ranking
- JoJo Siwa reflects on Candace Cameron Bure feud: 'If I saw her, I would not say hi'
- Where Is the Green New Deal Headed in 2020?
- Judge Throws Out Rioting Charge Against Journalist Covering Dakota Access Protest
- Politics & Climate Change: Will Hurricane Florence Sway This North Carolina Race?
- Illinois Gov. Pritzker calls for sheriff to resign after Sonya Massey shooting
- 13 Things You Can Shop Without Paying Full Price for This Weekend
- U.S. Climate Pledge Hangs in the Balance as Court Weighs Clean Power Plan
- How did COVID warp our sense of time? It's a matter of perception
Recommendation
Southern California rocked by series of earthquakes: Is a bigger one brewing?
Texas inmate Trent Thompson climbs over fence to escape jail, captured about 250 miles away
People addicted to opioids rarely get life-saving medications. That may change.
People addicted to opioids rarely get life-saving medications. That may change.
Messi injury update: Ankle 'better every day' but Inter Miami star yet to play Leagues Cup
New York City firefighter dies in drowning while trying to save daughter from rip current at Jersey Shore
JPMorgan reaches $290 million settlement with Jeffrey Epstein victims
Eminem’s Daughter Hailie Jade Shares Details on Her and Fiancé Evan McClintock’s Engagement Party