(CNN) — [Breaking news update, published at 6:33 p.m. ET]
The leading 4 seeds for the NCAA Division I men’s basketball match are the Connecticut Huskies, Purdue Boilermakers, North Carolina Tar Heels and Houston Cougars.
The Huskies, who were the in general No. 1 seed, are the defending champions. The event’s play-in video games, the First 4, will be held Tuesday and Wednesday with the tournament finding underway in total on Thursday and Friday.
[Original story, published at 3:29 p.m. ET]
After a long time, the hopes of the leading NCAA basketball programs all come down to this.
On Assortment Sunday, the final lineup of teams who have manufactured it into March Madness will be verified and enthusiasts will be in a position to commence filling in their brackets for equally the men’s and women’s tournament.
How to observe
Tune in to CBS at 6 p.m ET on March 17 to watch the collection of 68 teams for the men’s event, and 8 p.m ET on ESPN for the women’s tournament.
How are teams picked?
Thirty-two groups have mechanically competent in both of those the men’s and women’s match by virtue of winning their respective conference tournaments.
A range committee then establishes which other teams receive just one of 36 at-huge bids for a complete of 68 groups. Individuals rated in between the No. 64 and No. 68 then participate in in the 1st Four engage in-in tournament, in a bid to be portion of the closing 64 teams.
Variety Sunday will conclusion the months of speculation as university basketball lovers have sought to forecast the specific configuration of groups who will make the remaining bracket.
It suggests that lovers, as very well as just everyday observers, will then be capable to fill in their customary brackets predicting the effects of the tournament, in a nationwide tradition that has viewed everybody from US Presidents Barack Obama and George H.W. Bush to Jimmy Fallon take part in.
What comes about afterwards?
As soon as Selection Sunday is above, there are only two times for fans to fill out their brackets prior to the men’s tournament commences on March 19 and the women’s tournament commences the working day following. From then on, the games arrive thick and quick with the total program accessible under.
Men’s match
First Four: March 19-20
1st round: March 21-22
2nd spherical: March 23-24
Sweet 16: March 28-29
Elite Eight: March 30-31
Final 4: Saturday, April 6
NCAA championship match: Monday, April 8
Women’s match
Very first Four: March 20-21
1st spherical: March 22-23
Second spherical: March 24-25
Sweet 16: March 29-30
Elite Eight: March 31-April 1
Ultimate Four: Friday, April 5
NCAA championship video game: Sunday, April 7
Names to watch
Caitlin Clark
Caitlin Clark has transcended university basketball with her document-breaking achievements this 12 months, getting a star capable of commanding large ticket price ranges and beneficial sponsorship specials. The expression “Clark-onomics” has been coined to describe her large influence off the courtroom, these kinds of has been her ubiquity in pop culture.
The 22-calendar year-previous has become the NCAA Division-I foremost scorer throughout the two men’s and women’s university basketball this yr, and eclipsed NBA star Steph Curry’s history of the most 3-pointers strike in a solitary NCAA Division-1 period.
She is trying to get to lead the Iowa Hawkeyes to an NCAA championship title, prior to heading to the WNBA exactly where she is projected to be the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft.
Angel Reese
Angel Reese is an additional of the tournament’s greatest stars, adhering to her essential part in propelling LSU to its to start with ever women’s college basketball title past yr.
While LSU is unlikely to receive a No. 1 seed on Collection Sunday after succumbing to defeat against South Carolina in the SEC Tournament championship sport, it is nevertheless hope to be a person of the top rated contenders to defend its title.
Reed Sheppard
Whilst there has been a perceived fall in star electricity in men’s faculty basketball this period in comparison with earlier seasons, there is nonetheless a host of NBA-prepared talent to keep an eye on, this kind of as Kentucky’s Reed Sheppard.
The sharpshooting combo guard is projected to be picked 3rd over-all – the optimum of any school participant – in Bleacher Report’s newest 2024 NBA mock draft, immediately after a late-period surge in scoring seems to have turned the heads of NBA scouts. His skill to fill it up as well as stifle opponents on the defensive conclude make him one to view in the match.
Zach Edey
A further title to glance out for is Zach Edey. The 7-foot-4, 300lb center is the tallest participant in Large Ten meeting record and the reigning consensus countrywide player of the 12 months.
Even though his seemingly unstoppable submit existence and footwork could possibly not translate to the NBA, he is a dominant school participant who is looking for to direct Purdue, just one of the tournament favorites, to a countrywide championship.
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